First restriction broken!

I went out last night with a group of friends.  We were at a bar/club, it was fun.  I didn't feel so self conscious about my braces.  But then....they wanted to get a bite to eat afterwards.   Ok, I can't eat in public since I got my braces.   So I looked at the menu, which only had salad as a vegan option anyway.  Decided to order tea.  It was cold, about 2 a.m., and I thought Chamomile tea would warm me up a bit while my friends sobered up with their nachos and fries.  Then it hit me, my dentist clearly restricted me from drinking hot tea!  I don't know if it is the heat or the tea itself that is prohibited.  I drank it anyway, and all night I was worried that the tea had loosed my brackets somehow. 

This morning I googled and found a great recipe for a dessert that is moist and easy to chew.  Vegan Spice Cake to the rescue.  It is so delicious and perfectly chewable.  Highly recommend it, vegan or not, braces or not.

Adjusting

I still have not been able to eat solid foods.  I tried to eat french fries yesterday.  It hurt too much.  Then I tried a soggy salad.  Nope, couldn't chew at all due to the fact that my bite no longer closes.  However, I did try a Cashew Tomato Soup which was tasty.  I'm branching out on recipes for soups. I even made up a few.  I am sure my soup repertoire will be amazing by the time my braces are off.

Having braces has slowed me down in the morning too.  I've had to adjust my schedule in order to allow for slower eating time and prolonged cleaning of braces.  I go to bed a half hour earlier and get up a half hour earlier.  Not something I had even thought would have to be changed once I got my braces.

I also figured out how to apply wax more easily too.  My jaw has been clenching while I sleep, causing neck and shoulder pain.  I've been applying lavender filled pillows that I heat up in the microwave on my shoulders to ease the soreness.  I find that if I put a piece of wax under the pillow between my shoulder and the pillow, it softens up a bit and I don't have to press it so hard onto my molars.

Still trying not to smile or laugh too much in front of people, still feeling like my braces are all people see, even though I know it's not the case.  Have to get over the self consciousness.

Finally my last triumph has got to be flossing.  I couldn't figure it out for a week.  Gross, I know.  I finally figured out how to do it carefully, plus my teeth are loose enough now that I can fit the floss in where I couldn't before.  Having braces sure has made a bigger impact in my life than I thought it would.

I like them!

I'm starting to get used to my braces.  I don't wake up drooling on the pillow anymore.  I don't wake up with my lips dry and stuck to my braces anymore.  Finally, I'm getting used to my lisp.  I am starting to like having braces!

Of course I still miss eating.  But I made an apple pie, and it is so soft, I can indulge no problem.  Being able to eat pie kind of makes up for not being able to have burritos and sandwiches.

I have had them for 6 days today.  Someone complimented my color choice of ligs today.  A compliment! I don't look like a freak!  My co-workers haven't even commented for the most part.  The ones that did, say they didn't think I had a need for them anyway.  People are being so nice.  I feel really grateful and a bit silly for being so self conscious.  It was just such a huge change to me when I looked in the mirror.  But now I'm thankful for them, for the work they are doing, and that I can even afford them.  Total turn around, I like them!