Smile

Have you ever noticed that I hate to smile for pictures, and when I do, I never show my teeth?  There is a reason for that, you know.  I hate my teeth.  They are crooked and horrible.  I would have them fixed, but that would probably require me to wear metal braces on my teeth for several years, and I am not going to do that, mostly because I hate the dentist, and also because I would look ridiculous.

I have heard good things about San Antonio Invisalign, and how awesome they can make your smile.  Of course, I would have to get over my fear of dentists, because this procedure requires you to have your guards changed about every two weeks, but they are clear, so no one would know you're wearing them.  Did you follow that? 

I also have a very small mouth, though some people might argue that I have a big mouth.  I know there is no way to change the size of my mouth, but I have always envied people who can smile wide and not look like a crazy person.  My friend Nicole has the most beautiful smile.  If I had her mouth and teeth, I would smile all the time.

But I don't, so I will continue to smile with my tiny mouth closed.

My Wisdom Teeth

 I think I am going to have to break down and go to the dentist.  I haven't been in many years, which I know is a bad thing, but I have this fear, and well, I have no desire to torture myself.  However, I have this wisdom tooth that has been bothering me for a while now, and it is finally time to do something about it.

I went online to find a dentist in my area who sounded good, and I didn't find any.  I know, I am probably way too picky, but I want a dentist who will not look down on me because of my lack of dental care in recent years. I also want a dentist who isn't too stingy with the "sweet air". 

I am not sure what types of dental services I'm going to need, but I am pretty sure that they will be pulling my wisdom teeth.  Even though only one of them is bothering me, the rest are having a hard time coming in, so I am not going to be surprised when they want to pull all four.

Who knows.  Maybe a little dental surgery will help me get past this weight loss hump.  That's a pretty nice silver lining, right?  Right?

I Have A Happy Mouth

For the past couple of weeks, I have been using Crest's Pro-Health Complete Mouth Rinse.  I wrote about all the benefits of using this rinse here when I first started using it. 

I haven't been to the dentist since I began using it, but I can definitely feel a difference in my mouth.  The rinse has a nice, minty flavor, which makes my mouth feel all tingly.  I have been using it in the mornings when I wake up, and then again before I go to bed at night.  I brush first, then use the rinse. 

As a wife and mother of three, I don't usually take the extra time to floss every day. I know I neglect my teeth, but I really did think that brushing alone was enough. I now know that it's not.  I know this is going to sound a little weird, but when I spit out the rinse, I could see that I was spitting out things that I missed while brushing.  I don't know if the rinse was getting between my teeth better or what, but my mouth felt so much cleaner after using the rinse.  And fresher.  I will definitely be buying my own bottles in the future when I finish the one I have, especially since it is so reasonably priced.  (at least it is at my local Walmart)  I am also going to try some of the other types they have, too.  I saw a night rinse that I want to try.

You can check out the entire line of rinses here.

“I wrote this review while participating in a test drive campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Crest and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Crest Pro-Health Complete Rinse

For the next few weeks, I am going to be using Crest Pro-Health Complete Rinse.  I am going to use it once in the morning when I brush my teeth, and then again when I brush my teeth before bed.  I started using it a couple of days ago, and so far, I'm loving it.

This rinse provides six benefits in one, which can help you have a better dental checkup.  It contains flouride, which helps re-build tooth enamel and helps prevent cavities.  I like that it helps to clean teeth and gums, too, because I always feel like I never brush good enough.  This rinse also kills bad breath germs and freshens breath, all without the burn of alcohol.  These six benefits can help you get a better dental checkup, as opposed to brushing alone.

Like I said, I started using this rinse a couple of days ago, and it really does leave my mouth feeling fresh.  I am usually not a fan of mint flavored toothpaste.  In fact, I use cinnamon flavored toothpaste.  That said, this rinse has a mint flavor, but it's not overpowering.  It is actually refreshing. I can't wait to see how my mouth feels a few weeks from now.

You can find this rinse in a store near you, and join me in my quest for a healthier mouth.

“I wrote this review while participating in a test drive campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Crest and received a sample to facilitate my candid review. Mom Central sent me a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Me? See A Dentist? Maybe.

Look at those teeth!

No, they are not actually rotting out of her mouth. I took this picture at the circus last week after she finished her snow cone. She is in need of a trip to the dentist, though. It's been a while since all the kids have had check ups, and I know that is my fault. I am letting my fear affect their teeth, and that is not right. I know this, yet I still put off their checkups. I am definitely in the running for mom of the year now, right?

I am actually the one in need of some serious dental work. I have a wisdom tooth that flairs up every few months, causing me all kinds of pain. Most of the tooth is missing, so I know they would have to surgically remove what is left, and that scares me to death. I remember when my mom had hers removed, and it was awful. But, I know that having it done will be worth it. I just can not bring myself to make the appointment, because none of the dentists around here offer sedation.

And trust me when I say I will need to be sedated.

I wish I could fly off to see a San Diego Sedation Dentist, because "they strive to offer maximum comfort and anxiety-free patient care and, therefore, offer oral sedation to patients who might otherwise avoid dental treatment". I am most definitely a patient who is avoiding dental treatment. These dentists, Leslie Strommer, DDS, and Scott Strommer, DDS, also specialize in cosmetic dentistry, and I would be lying if I said I was happy with my smile. Maybe while they have me all sedated they could whiten my teeth and maybe straighten them a little bit. They also have several different financing options, so I think I could fit this into my monthly budget.

Do you think 38 is too old to get braces?

Ice, Ice Baby

I wrote all about my ER trip yesterday on my other blog. You can read it here if you want to. Right now I am sitting with ice on my jaw, trying to stay awake so I can watch the season finale of Deadliest Catch. I'm not sure if I am going to make it.

Junior is making me cantaloupe and biscuits for supper. I am so hungry, but it hurts to chew. At least the cantaloupe will be easy to eat.

Quick Update

I ended up in the ER yesterday because of the pain in my jaw/ear. Long story short, I need to have my wisdom tooth pulled. I am now on an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory pain reliever, and feeling a little less pain right now. The only drawback is that I am also a little loopy. I don't do well with mediation, and slept over 12 hours last night, and I could still sleep for a few more hours. In fact, as soon as I do a few posts, I am headed back to bed.

My Tooth

Remember my toothache from a couple of weeks ago? For a few days it felt better, and now....ug! The pain is now in my jaw and my ear. I know I need to go have it pulled, but I am cheap and a chicken. I know it will get rid of all the pain, but I can not get up the courage to get it done.

Maybe if it still hurts NEXT week....

12 Hours

That's how long I slept last night, thanks to the lovely little pill I took. My tooth is okay this morning...the pain is bearable right now. I took tylenol when I woke up instead of advil, and it seems to work a little better. One of these days I just need to get the dang tooth pulled. I hesitate because it is my wisdom tooth, and I know how expensive they are to pull.

I plan on being lazy today...no talking again. My mouth feels better when I don't use it. Maybe this will help me lose a little weight, too. lol!

Can't Talk

My tooth is killing me. It hurts to talk today, and advil just isn't cutting it anymore. I just took half of a lortab, and am hoping to be sleeping very soon, and hopefully I will sleep through the night. I have a post to do, and hope I get it done before this medicine really kicks in. I don't think they would appreciate a garbled up post.

Owwww....

I am having issues with my wisdom tooth again today. I just want to crawl back into bed and sleep. I have been up since 5:15, popping advil. I have one lortab that I am going to take later if I can't get a little relief.

I am so glad this only happens a couple of times a year. I would love to have them pulled, but we can't afford it right now.

I just have to suffer through, and in a couple of days it will be fine. Or at least it usually is.

I Want Whiter Teeth

I smoked for years. It's funny, but I didn't start smoking until the end of my senior year in high school. I made it through the peer pressure years and then one night, after a little too much to drink, my friend gave me a cigarette. That was the first of many that I smoked over the next eleven years. It wasn't until I was pregnant with my third child that I decided to quit. It was the day after I went on maternity leave from my job. I figured if I was going to break the habit, it would be easier to do away from work, so that was it. Cold turkey, no looking back. I haven't had a cigarette since.

The years of smoking took their toll, though, and my teeth aren't exactly as white as I would like for them to be. I have tried a rotadent electric toothbrush with MI Paste but I am still not happy. My teeth are a whole lot cleaner and stronger, but they aren't whiter. I think I might have to use a Nite White Teeth Whitening Kit to get the results I want. I am not looking to have teeth that glow in the dark, but I am tired of the yellow tinge I see every time I smile.

Gone In The Night

Brandi has had a loose tooth for a couple of weeks. We went to bed last night and it was right where it was supposed to be.

She woke up this morning, looked at me, and asked:

"where's my tooth?"

It had fallen out sometime during the night. We didn't find it at first, so I told her she probably swallowed it.

Of course, as soon as I laid back down, I found it sticking into my leg. Let's just hope the tooth fairy remembers to come tonight.

Smile

A couple of posts down I was talking about going to the dentist, and how much I hate it. I know deep down it is important to take care of your smile. If you live in California, you can check out this San Diego Cosmetic Dentist for a perfect smile. If my teeth looked half as pretty as the women on this website, I would be at the dentist every other month making sure they were healthy. The good news is, I can have teeth that pretty. Anyone can. A healthy, beautiful smile is sure to boost your confidence, so let Dr. Landau bring out the beauty in your smile.

Knock 'Em Out!

Yesterday, boo's best friend faith came over to play. They had a punching ball. I know you know what that is...a big balloon on a rubber band that you punch. They were taking turns nicely. At one point, faith was doing it, and brandi got a little too close.

OOPS!

This tooth has been loose forever, and the adult tooth was coming in behind it. It was hanging by a thread. One good shot, and out it popped. Being 3, and an only child, faith had no idea that teeth fell out. She thought she really hurt brandi! She was crying, and brandi was screaming (there was a lot of blood!), and we were laughing! I know, we're bad parents. But it really was funny!