So every six weeks or so it's an ortho weekend. Either Friday after school or Saturday morning (sometimes both), we are sitting in the tiny waiting room on Northside Drive along with what feels like the majority of local kids aged 8 to 13. We see pretty much everyone we know there. And after quick updates on school and latest events, we chat about special ortho dental floss and if they break the rules and eat popcorn and tortilla chips. Important orthodontic topics. It's an island bonding experience.
Mari has done very well on this journey, which has been quite painful at times. After major adjustments, new wires, and adding the bottom braces she lived on children's tylenol, jello, yogurt, smoothies, mashed potatoes and ice cream. Her teeth look amazing! The before and after is impressive. And this year, with the girls at their new school with the amazing parent-run Trick or Trunk, Mari got to induldge in what she missed out on last year. I let them eat as much as they wanted for 24 hours and then it went in the trash. No sticky stuff, which can tear those brackets right off, but everything else was fair game. I think Josie made out extra well with all the stuff Mari couldn't eat.
When I was a kid I always wanted braces. I thought it would be so cool! I am blessed with straight teeth and I never needed them. My issue was terrible vision and I got my first pair of glasses when I was in first grade. I would have loved to trade them in for a set of shiny metal braces with the colorful rubber bands that my friends had. Now that I see what my daughter is dealing with, I'm glad I missed out.
