Mouth Wednesday: To Christmas what Black Friday is to Thanksgiving

It's 2:30pm, and I've already seen two doctors who asked me to "open wide" (ahhhh), "now, bite down" (*feeble attempt*). First, I saw my orthodontist, who changed a few rubber bands and sent me on my merry way. Next, I saw the surgeon.

It seems as though there was a bit of confusion in the communication between the orthodontist and the surgeon. Namely, the orthodontist was supposed to take and send impressions so that the surgeon could get a good idea of how close my teeth were to matching up. He didn't have any such thing, and therefore could tell me little (other than exclaim, "how do you eat!?" which was oddly assuring). His assistant took impressions.

Obviously, I've had impressions taken before, but never with braces. That was ohmygod nasty. There was the pink gunk in my braces, and the top one made me gag... ew. Those should be finished tomorrow, and the surgeon will give us a call to tell us how they look.

We also discussed dates. His first comment was, "so, you're looking to have the surgery this summer?" ummm, no. I've been planning February in my mind. It's the perfect time for me, really (other than last summer, but what's done is done...) I have a week-long school vacation the week of the 18th, and I would rather be out from school for 3 weeks than 4. Also, I will be in my second semester of senior year, so I won't have nearly as much work to do, and I'll be generally less stressed out. Also, the sooner the surgery is done, the less time I'll have to spend in braces in college. The surgeon said the surgery can probably be done in February whether or not I'm exactly ready, but I'm hoping I will be!

Before we left, my mom and I talked to the amazing woman at the front desk. She's been dealing with our insurance company, and she did a great job. She called the hospital and got me a tentative surgery date of Thursday, February 14th.... Valentine's Day! There was a little confusion about whether I'd be in the adult or pediatric OR (I turned 18 a few days ago) but it looks like I'll be in pedi. I think this is a mixed blessing. I'm betting on better care, but more noise in recovery.

Amazing Woman also passed over all the preoperative paperwork, which is completely overwhelming. I'm lucky that my mom is going to take care of most of it! I need a physical, blood tests, an appointment at the blood bank, and a pre-op consultation with my surgeon at the hospital. I'm getting really excited! Not nervous yet, but I'm sure I will be...


I hope everyone had a very wonderful and happy Christmas...

Sensitive Teeth?

I've noticed that my teeth have become quite sensitive in the... last two weeks I guess. Eating very cold foods hurts, as does using the Waterpik. Braces related? Why would this develop after months with them on? Has anyone else experienced this?

Just enough time for a bit of good news...

My upper and lower jaw surgeries have been approved by insurance!

I have an appointment to meet with the surgeon for the day after Christmas... just hours after my next orthodontist appointment!

Happy Hanukkah!

Confessions: A Photo Essay*

Last week, Wired Lady made a confession. I've decided to come clean as well.










*I guess "Photo Essay" implies that I took photos. I did not. So perhaps it is a "Google Images Essay".

Gross, but, admit it: SO TRUE

The best part about having braces?

Saving some cookie crumbs for later! ;-)

The Post in Which Allison Hangs her Head Repeatedly

I haven't posted in a really. really. long. time. I kind of have an excuse. I've been so busy writing college applications that I use any extra time to do fun stuff like sleep. And, you know, do my homework. In fact, I think I've had two orthodontist appointments since my last post. For shame, Allison, for shameeeeee.

I had a day off from school on Tuesday (I have no idea why we had election day off), and an orthodontist appointment in the morning. I was planning on getting stuff (read: college application essays) done, so I had scheduled the appointment in the morning, at 9:30. Quick and uneventful appointment in which I received a new bottom wire (OMG it's like Christmas!!!!!) and he instructed me to bite (I couldn't. No surprise there). I asked if he thought I was on schedule to have surgery in February, and he gave me a vague and quite unhelpful answer. Then I ran home for breakfast before I had to stop at the library and take my sister to her friend's house. My choice of breakfast? Some crackers and a frozen Snickers bar from Halloween. For shame, Allison, for... just hold on, it gets worse. So I take a bite of the Snickers, hit some delicious frozen caramelly nut, and some.... something isn't right. Sure enough, that wonderful peanut of goodness had knocked off one of my top brackets. I had to call the orthodontist and confess to my misdeed. He didn't ask what I had been eating, but he did notice how curious it was that he hadn't touched my top braces and suddenly, they were broken. The moral of the story is: never accept Allison's advice concerning what to eat with braces. Okay, you can say it now. For shame, Allison, for shameeeeee.

Speaking of advice -- lately I've been noticing that when I wake up, my jaw is clenched very tightly. This is almost funny, considering I can't even demonstrate this when I'm awake. But, the question is: do you think this is screwy-jaw related? Or stress related (see above, and add to that the fact that, for some reason, I am apply to 15 &%*# colleges)? I've never noticed myself doing this before. What do yall think?

A Different Sort of Visual

Look what I found on Indexed today!


If you're unfamiliar with Indexed, I really recommend checking it out. Some of the graphs are very funny (and true)!