BRACES
I remember not taking care of my teeth when I was younger. It was not a goal to try and brush them two to three times a day. I would bite down into my candy no matter how hard or unhealthy the texture was. For that reason, I began to develop cavities, my teeth began to loose their white color, and my second bash of teeth grew started growing in crooked manners. My mouth was like a cave every time I smiled. Once I started third grade, my classmates made fun of the color of my teeth. It was very embarrassing. It was the most embarrassing though out my middle school and junior high years. I questioned my parents about braces for years. When I was eleven, I had my first orthodontist appointment at Spence’s in Missouri, where I use to live. After that first appointment, it was a long while until it was ever brought back again. A year later, my family moved to Arkansas because of my fathers job. Then, at age thirteen, my father left to Mexico. Soon after, my parents decided to get separated. My mom had to raise three children by herself making money a huge concern. I asked my mom for braces for my fifteenth birthday. Usually when a young Hispanic girl turns fifteen, a Quinceanera is held. It’s a very special thing to have. A Quinceanera is a tradition that transforms a child into a young woman. I begged to have my braces instead of spending hundreds on a dress, place, and food for my quince. Bitter-sweet, I did not get my braces for my fifteenth birthday. Instead , I got a party, and time with my lovely family. Some even came drive up her from Texas! I was very happy for that, but that also meant I was going to have to wait for my braces. It was not until the summer of my junior year that I got braces. I believe it was just a matter of time and having the correct about of money. That summer was probably the best summer of my life so far. I made an appointment back at Spencer’s in Missouri and the process began in June. My set time to get my braces was in July, but before then, Mr. Spencer informed me that my teeth were to crowded so there would be a total of four teeth to be removed.; two on top and another two on bottom. I had a total of eight shots to completely numb my mouth to help the pain. To be honest, it was not that bad. The part were I had thirty pieces of cotton in my mouth was amusing and eating nothing but oatmeal was a piece of cake. Overall, it was a nice experience. The hardest part was probably waiting a week to get my brackets on and then waiting another week after that to finally get my wires in. I’ve had them for a year and two months now. According to my orthonotist, I am currently at month fifteenth out of twenty four, but I went today and asked for an estimation of about how much longer I’d have them. He said four to six months and that for my next appointment, they would put my last set of wires in. Oh boy did I jump with excitement! I really hope to have them off by graduation.
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