When I was in secondary school, I started wearing braces. I used to have what they call in Chinese as sao ngah. There was a big gap (probably about an inch) between the front row of my top and bottom teeth. It took the dentist 4-5 years to “realign” my teeth. Maybe that’s because I didn’t follow his instructions enough. hehehe.
They made 3 or 4 moulds of my teeth at different stages of the treatment. I wanted to snap a photo of the moulds but it’s not with me now. I might post them up this Monday or so.
There was a few months during the treatment where I needed to wear some sort of headgear that was supposed to pull and realign my teeth. For those of you who have seen it before, it looks a little odd, doesn’t it? I was supposed to wear the headgear for a certain period every day. However, shyness got into me and I always ended up not wearing them enough. LOL.
Every visit where the dentist tightens the braces, I would end up with ulcers, my teeth and gums will be painful. Even chewing food becomes a problem. The only solution is to eat porridge or things that requires minimal chewing for a week or so.
I’m so glad those days are gone.
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hey kelwin, how you holding up? i had a lot of friends who wore braces in high school…and there was one particular friend who had a very ‘creative’ dentist. i remember once when it was near christmas, the dentist gave her red and green rubber bands for her braces!! very festive eh?
@lingzie
LOL. So colourful? I only had the normal colour ones. Maybe that’s because mine was done at a government clinic?
I’m doing fine, although feeling a little worn down. Well, we’re nearing the half way mark (9am). Cannot give up now, can I? hehehe.
Yours was done in gov clinic? Mine too…But I have to say, my treatment wasn’t very successful due to the shyness issue as well. In the end of the treatment (after 4 years) I had to wear the headgear (it’s called retainer I believe) all the time, but I only wore it once in a while. After that I didn’t go for appointments anymore and now, the teeth alignment are not as perfect as before… sigh. Regret doing what I’ve done but there’s nothing I can do now…
@andrew
LOL. I think we’re the same lah. You mean the retainer where you put into your mouth after they’ve taken out the braces right? Well, I wrapped mine up with tissue one day when I was eating out with my family. After food, I forgotten to collect it (it was on the table). When I went back to the table, the lady has already cleaned up the table. I guess she threw my retainer away as well.
Yeah, without it, the teeth does go “out of alignment”. *sigh* what to do? I don’t wanna do it again. LOL.
haha…so your case is the same as mine? you didn’t fully completed the treatment? lol…at least i’m not alone…haha!
yeah, i’m too old for braces now. can’t imagine going for a work interview with braces! omg..lol
@andrew
I did finish my treatment. Just that, even at the end, we’re supposed to continue wearing the retainer. Or else, the teeth may move out of alignment again. At least that’s what I think is going on. hehehe.
Well, there are some in their 20s still wearing braces.
haha.i think i m the oldest here.i m 23 now.today is my 1st day wear the braces.take care and good luick for
mee.
i started wearing braces when I was 10 years old, after extracting 4 adults teeth from my mouth. had it on for only 2 years and by the end of my primary school days, i had it taken out
Then, for 2 more years, I continued to wear retainers and then finally got lazy and ‘misplaced it’ :p
I still remember not being able to eat any solid food after the monthly visit to the dentist to tighten the braces. I also remember the ‘fun’ times choosing the color tiny rubber band to put in the braces too.
BUT, just like you… I’m also glad those days are gone
i have to wear rubber bands next mongth. am i close to be done with my braces? please share!!!!!
@EstherChin
10 years old? That is very young. But they say, it’s better to do this when younger. I think it’s faster and more effective?
@Gi
I really have no idea. I guess it depends on what your orthodontist is planning to do. I think the time when I had on rubber bands was in the middle of my treatment. You should check with him/her to be sure.