My braces journey

For many years,I've been struggling with the way I look cos of my teeth.Since young,whenever my teeth felt shaky,I didn't dare pull it out cos I was so scared of pain.I would just play with the shaky tooth with my tongue till it becomes easier to pluck out.No one told me the consequences of delaying the process of plucking the tooth out until I realized how my new tooth would grow behind the position of my old tooth.This explains why the two teeth on the left and right of my two front teeth grew slightly at the back,so that's why it looks like there's 2 gaps beside my two front teeth.The bottom set was much better but not totally straight too.Because of my teeth,I used to not smile with my teeth.Even when I wanna laugh,I had the habit of covering my mouth cos I know I would look horrible laughing out loud with my teeth shown.It was tiring to keep doing that too.

As I think back,I remembered when I was still in primary school,when I went to the school dentist,she asked me if I'm interested in putting on braces.I didn't thought about it much back then since I was still so young to know about all these kinda stuff.I didn't dare approach my parents about it too cos it sounded like an expensive treatment and the thought of having to pluck more teeth freaked me out.If only I told my parents about it and if I was less afraid,I wouldn't be struggling with self esteem issues for years.Besides,it would definitely be cheaper to do it back then.

Below are some photos of me before braces.Most of these were taken when I was in JC.I don't have any photos of myself when I was in primary and secondary school cos my damn computer crashed on me one fateful day and there goes my collection of photos.Up till now,I still find it hard to accept this fact sigh.

Taken after our volleyball match at PHS.I helped most of my girls plait their fringes.Super nice right?!

Sports Day 2010.Our last sports day in jc.Really miss the adrenaline rush and all.That year we clinched 1st for 12x100m and 2nd for 4x100m.This was my 4x100m team and also part of our class' 12x100m team!My pride!We did better in jc1 though cos we got a 4th for 4x400m too.Nonetheless,it was a great experience.

My fellow Retainees.Not a very nice name to call ourselves but the truth is,we are sometimes being labelled as that too.Got used to it anyway.

Our once-in-a-blue moon meet up-my secondary school volleyball mates.Will never forget how much we went through as a team and how we used to be looked down upon.We fought hard and managed to prove others wrong.Gotta love the fighting spirit in us!:)

My favourite girl during my days at Stradivarius,where I met my boyf too.Our matchmaker too haha!Thanks to her,Eug became my first boyfriend,and hopefully will be my last!

And so,after so many years,one day,I looked at myself in the mirror.I started to wonder how I would look like if I had straight teeth.I could laugh out loud with my mouth wide open,I could present myself with the biggest smile,I would have more confidence in myself and so on.So,I started to research on orthodontic treatments and then finally deciding to do in a private clinic cos I don't want to drag it any longer.

I went for consulatation at Ubi Dental Clinic after hearing good reviews about it and from my friend who did her braces there too.One of the reasons why I decided on this clinic was because of the orthodontist.She seemed friendly and approachable,so if I had any queries or what not,I would dare to ask her.I get intimidated very easily so I can't imagine having a super serious-looking orthodontist in charge of me.

I had 4 teeth extracted,2 teeth during each of the 2 visits.It was that painful at all-the power of anesthesia which caused my mouth to become numb.The pain came after the anesthetic wore off,but by popping a painkiller,the pain was suppressed.So the extraction was quite a breeze.

Not long later,I had my brackets fixed onto my teeth and tadahhhh,braces for 2 years and 2 months.

Braces faces with Jojo!

Feeling so happy and confident with braces.At least I believe I looked slightly better.

Dared to camwhore more with my teeth showing.

After close to a year,I can see a big difference in my teeth already.Don't they look relatively straight then?Felt quite comforted to see such a progress!

This marked the end of 2 years of braces.I was already feeling super excited cos my orthodontist told me that she will be removing the braces in 2 months' time.

On that very day,I was having mixed feelings.I was so used to having braces on my teeth and I kinda liked how I look like in braces.I was a little worried about being without braces,though it is definitely what I wanted in the first place.During that very moment that my orthodontist showed me the mirror,I didn't feel that happy but I pretended to be.I was a little disappointed cos I didn't really take good care of my teeth.It was still slightly stained even after she helped me to do some polishing.I want cleaner and whiter teeth!

So that somehow sums up my braces journey.How do you think I look now?:)