I just wanted to practice my new smile, and it didn’t take any effort to make that pleasant upward curve. No more rough, tough and edgy braces in the way. It was an effortless glide of the lips over smooth teeth into a smile.
Smiling never felt this good. And I just can’t stop smiling.
I felt the yank of brackets and rings out of my mouth, followed by a gentle warning not to swallow any small debris . Then, I caught a small reflection of pearlie white (fine, slightly yellow) teeth in the shiny surface above. Are those mine?
When the orthodontist first asked if I was alright, I fumbled to re-shape my lips and orientate to my new mouth. Then I muttered, “I don’t think I know how to speak properly anymore”. Closing my mouth over bracket-less teeth felt different. It was a good kind of different. My lips approved of the smooth surface on my teeth.
It no longer mattered that I had skipped dinner, was the last patient and it took a while to get my braces done. I was happy. No. That’s an understatement. I was over-brimming with joy!
I thought I had a few months to go, so did Mr Orthodontist. “I never expected adult teeth to move this fast, but yours did,” he said.
Hainanese beef kway teow at Toa Payoh Lorong 7 marked my last meal with braces on.
Mr Bean warm soya bean milk was the first thing I had after my braces went off.
And 12 Oct 2011 marks the unexpected birth of my new smile! :D
Thank you Dr Phan, Thank you dear dental nurses, Thank you Dr Oh, Thank you Smile Avenue, Thank you AllSmiles Dental Care, and Thank God!