I never gave much thought to braces. I’ve never wanted them and, to be honest, I wondered why some people did. Their teeth looked fine to me… I guess deep down I thought braces were rather vain.
Everyone needs a fresh perspective at times and, apparently, now is one of those times for me. I got my spacers today and the form for my braces. As I sit here typing away I keep pressing my tongue up against my teeth in hopes of making that awful feeling go away. I tell myself it’s only going to get worse.
“Three days on pain meds” the dentist told me. And I wonder if there isn’t an easier way to do this. I could let this baby canine fall out on it’s own and go with a missing tooth for the rest of my life…but I’m too vain for that. So I go with the pricy, painful braces and the “chain” that will hopefully pull my adult tooth down into the place that it should have occupied 15 years ago.
“What were you thinking Adult Canine? That we wouldn’t notice you never showed up? That you could hide away forever and let life pass you by?”
It’s time to bite the bullet. I dread it. I thought I was fairly good at tolerating pain, but the thought of the impending affliction – along with my now aching teeth – is turning me wuss.
Despite the fact that my tooth hasn’t been extracted yet, that I don’t have the braces on yet and that the chain (I’m picturing a truck hauler chain here. You know, the ones you can only pick up one end at a time.) is not pulling my adult tooth down yet, I have a growing sympathy for anyone that has gone through orthodontic procedures. Who would have thought that spacers would grow compassion? God uses the small and seemingly insignificant things.
I can do this. I’m preparing my mental attitude.
But more to the point of this blog, I’m planning defense tactics too. Ice Cream, miso soup, smoothies, Blackberry panna cotta and chilled tomato bisque.
I’ve mentioned this bisque before and linked the recipe, but it’s too good not to blog about. And if any of you blog readers are bracing for orthos, and looking for something smooth and cool to eat that isn’t all sweets, you’ll love me for it.
Fresh Tomato Bisque
3 c. tomatoes
1/4 c. raw cashews, soaked in water for 4-6 hours
1/2 c. water
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1 T. olive oil
1 clove garlic
1 T. lemon juice
1 t. honey
2 T. fresh basil
Simply put everything in the blender…
And blend until smooth.
Chill and enjoy at leisure.
Save a jar for tomorrow.
I’m not sure if I’ll be able to eat some of Mom’s crusty sourdough bread with this tonight. Perhaps if I soak it in soup long enough…
Stir It Up! 
SAAARRRAAAAAHHHH!!! I am SOOOO sorry!!! I had braces… twice (I have a stubborn set of teeth)! So completely feeling your pain right now. :-{ OUCH! :-| Just a little helpful bit of advice: don’t attempt to chew gummy bears with the spacers in. trust me, tried it and it doesn’t work! ;)
Let the bread soak for a VERY long time then give it a try. Sourdough bread is too good to pass up! :)
Praying that you aren’t in too much pain and the braces are on and off in a flash!!
Lol! I can totally imagine that gummy bears would be intolerable. :D Thank you for your sympathy. I’m sorry you had to go through it TWICE! Yikes. You are amazing. Thanks so much for your prayers!
Mashed potatoes…and steer clear of bread. That is my best advice. Sorry to hear that. I can tell you, I had braces when I was 30 and I met my husband with braces after bursting into tears in the dentist’s office after they told me I needed braces. Apparently, my husband thought they were cute…and I got carded all the time! Enjoy – it goes by pretty quickly.
Thanks so much for the encouragement! I turned thirty this year, so being guessed younger is definitely a perk. :D
I will add mashed potatoes to the list!
I feel for you dear Sarah…it will be over before you know it though!
Great dinner! ;)
Thank you, Tera – in more ways than one! ;)
And to think that I really, really, really wanted braces. :( I’m so sorry, Sarah! Be brave, keep your chin up!!! You can get through this. And the world will benefit from all the lovely recipes you’ll be coming up with.
Love you!!!
Haha! That’s one way to look at it! I should start a blog for those who don’t want to chew – from pain or from lack of teeth. :P I love you too! Thanks for commenting.
You know, that wouldn’t be a bad idea! If you wrote a book it could be a best seller! 30 years without seeing a dentist and having perfect teeth, except for that one baby tooth that no one ever noticed…Wow! You deserve an award!
my heart – and canines – are going out for you right now!! I’m going to speak the truth in love here and tell you that you can pretty much rule out anything along the lines of crusty/chewy/slightly dense for quite a while, BUT it’s all over in a blink. I never thought the Lord would use a mouth full of metal to sanctify me…. but He did!
Thanks so much, Grace! Okay, so I’m super glad that time is flying as fast as it is. :D My teeth aren’t throbbing today – as long as I don’t bit down – so I’m thankful for that! :P
Reading this made me smile as I sympathetically understand. :) I once had a romantic notion about braces yet somehow now that experience takes place, that notion is quickly gone. Its only for a season right?! And you know, “gumming” food has a new meaning in life even if you have teeth. It still is possible to eat…sortof. :) Know that I’ll be praying for you!
Elisabeth! I’ve been thinking about you. You made this sound so easy. ;) You’re right, it’s only for a season. I’m sure I’ll live though it…I think. lol Thanks so much for your prayers!
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