In the beginning of 2011 I was doing great working out. I was going to the gym 5 times a week, before work, for the first 12 weeks of the year. I started slowly going less and less until October when I was not going at all. Especially now that I am pregnant I feel that it is important to start working out regularly again and make it a part of my daily life.
At the beginning of 2011 I was doing very well at going to the gym - going 5 times a week for the first 12 weeks. I went less and less often and in October was not going at all anymore. I would like to make exercise an important part of my routine again to get back in shape - which is especially important to me now that I am pregnant.
My overlapped, crooked teeth had bothered me for years. While they didn't prevent me from laughing or smiling, I would look at photos where they looked crooked and cringe. There are many pictures I wouldn't share, post on facebook etc. because I thought my teeth looked horrible in the pictures.
Here is my journey so far:
While I was still in University, I went for a braces consultation. I was told that it would cost about $8500 and I would have them on for two and a half years. I did not have the money at the time to pay for them so I put the "straighten teeth" project on the back burner.
About a year ago I found out that my dentist is able to offer Invisalign. I went in for a consultation and found out that they were significantly less expensive than the braces quote I had received, and that it would take only 42 weeks.
After the molds were taken of my teeth, I get to see a video of what my teeth currently look like and how they will change over time. The video is very cool. I had to have some teeth shaved because they were overlapped on the top. With Invisalign you get new trays every 2 weeks, each one a little bit straighter. I also have 10 "attachments" which are bumps on your teeth that help the aligners stay in.
When I had the first set put in, it didn't hurt too bad. It hurt the next morning though, and for a few days. This is normal because your teeth are getting used to moving. It took me quite a while to remove the trays at first and I had to use tweezers to get them out! It was a bit frustrating but got easier over time. Now when I change trays every 2 weeks it usually doesn't hurt at all, but sometimes it's just a bit tender and I eat softer foods for the first day. Also it's usually super easy to get the trays out now, even the first day I have a new set. I just snap them off with my thumb nails.
The trays are supposed to be in for 20 - 22 hours a day. Each time I eat or drink anything besides water, I have to brush, floss, mouthwash and clean the trays.
I would like to spend more time reading, learn, and read different types of books. I would like to spend more time relaxing with a book rather than vegging out in front of the tv or a computer.
