Valerie has been complaining about her teeth for quite some time. I don't know if anyone was teasing her at school or if it was just her own thoughts. She hated her 'Sponge Bob teeth." Of course, she is always beautiful to me, no matter what. Sometimes I tried to see her how others did, and I understood why the teeth bothered her. I hated my smile and my toothy gaps, too. No one wants to go around with their two front teeth sticking out all the time. In a few dance costume pictures I took, I could see just how far those front teeth jetted out. Her make-up was a disaster because the red lipstick just ended up all over her teeth time and again.
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| Val's normal resting face and two front teeth |
Earlier this week I took Valerie to the orthodontist for a consultation. I wasn't sure if she was even a candidate for braces yet being that she is only ten. She still has a few baby teeth to lose also. Reading online I learned that it is a case by case decision, as sometimes younger is better. The verdict was YES, braces now will help her. She has been lucky in that nothing has hit her in the mouth and broken those protruding teeth.
Val said she was ready, so we did it. She walked out of the consultation with a new smile. She chose blue and orange bands because those are the colors of her new school! Bottom braces to come at a later date.
The first day was rough. She complained all day about her teeth hurting. They put a power chain across them to tuck those front teeth back first before anything really bad happens. I know it isn't quite what she expected. I was worried that maybe it was too soon. Maybe she wasn't ready. Every day has been a little bit better. The wires were poking out the back braces and scratching the inside of her cheek, so we had that fixed today. Val said it was much better, but her teeth are still very sore.
I know it's an adjustment and she has to get used to them. And she will get used to them in time. I had braces for two years and don't remember much, other than it took a week or so to forget I had them. It was well worth it in the long run, so I hope it is worth it for my Val Gal too!!
