As I sit here typing this, My hair is tucked up in a shower cap, I’ve got My new retainers in and a Watermelon sheet mask on My face. What a sight! ? One you will never see! lol  (Google Images:  Sheet Masks  and then Jason from Friday the 13th  –just saying…. )

Braces came off TODAY! ? How was it? Well, there was some discomfort when they ‘snapped’ (“removed” whatever…) the brackets off but that was nothing compared to what was next. They had to remove the glue/adhesive from My teeth that was used to attach the brackets. Which normally probably would have been okay, IF I didn’t brush too hard for years and have a little receding on My gum line. When she used the tool around those teeth, the pain was through the ROOF! They gave Me a stress ball. HA! I some how managed to get through that and the rest was easy. She polished My teeth, took photos and then impressions for the retainers.

How do I like them? Well….I can’t say really because it’s so weird. I haven’t seen My (bare) teeth in 21 months that now it just looks/feels strange. I like it, but it’s going to take some getting used to. I also wonder how this has changed My face and cheeks and if things will continue to settle. My face definitely thinned out from braces and that was not something I expected or desired.

But overall, yes, My teeth look great! It’s nice to see My ‘old’ smile and yet I don’t think it’s quite the same..

After all of that, I had to run a few errands and then come back to pick up My retainers. And they gave Me a goodie bag with CHOCOLATE and GUM.  WHAT?!  lol

I threw all of this out today (below) but the one thing I’m keeping is the WaterPik. That will still come in handy since I have to wear My retainers for 15 hours every day for the next 3 months!! ?  (Maybe the elastic band wasn’t so bad after all…. lol)

I have to say everyone at My Orthodontist’s office was great and made this experience as pleasant as it could be. The receptionist, the assistants and of course My Orthodontist. I always got good vibes on My visits, like everyone actually enjoyed working there…which in this day in age I think is kind of rare. So yeah, I DID it!  My teeth did hard time for 21 months and now they are FREE!  (Well sort of….retainers….?   lol)