01.04.2015

Woke up to a not so funny April Fool's joke.
It just had to be 1st of April that my bracket comes off making me think this is some April Fool's joke.

Woke up this morning feeling a little weird on the last bracket only to later realize that it came off loose. I was just feeling a little lazy today only to find out that it was the one that I had to hook my rubber bands on so I called the clinic up and was told that I'd need to go down to have it fixed.

This is the moment when I learnt that it is extremely important to pick a dental clinic closest to your home. There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to picking a clinic. It wouldn't really matter if you are just going there to get your extractions or fillings etc done but because you are going to see this dentist for the next 2 years it is important that you are comfortable and happy to see him. Yes, I mentioned happy because it is already awful enough to have to go through all these discomfort when there are people who are born with are perfect set of teeth so you want to make sure your dentist make you feel good going through all these painful visits.

Aside from that, we need to consider the cost of getting your braces done since different clinic charges differently. The dentist may be really good and everyone is recommending that you see him but if it is really too expensive and you cannot afford to pay for it, don't force yourself.  There are other clinics that charges it slightly lower but that doesn't mean that they aren't good alright? Unlike bags, it doesn't have to be branded and expensive to last you for a long time. Do your research and ask around. I am lucky that it didn't take me many friends to find the clinic that I was comfortable visiting.

Lastly, never forget that sometimes unfortunate things happen and you will need to make a trip back down to the clinic to get things fixed. You wouldn't want to find yourself living in the north and having to travel all the way to the south just for that few minute session. Even though Yishun and Sembawang is just next to each other, it is still a torture on days that I am very lazy (like today).

Alright, that's all that I can think of but if you have any more pointers for me to add on, feel free to leave it under the comments section so that the rest of us can learn from it too!

Have a great start to April guys!
All the brace (best)!

/edit
Did filling for my upper molar and Dr HO changed the bottom wire to a smaller one to help shift the teeth better. He told me the upper set is shifting quite well. Yay!
In addition he helped to trim the wire on the upper set because it's poking into my cheek. This saved me another trip in May and I'm gonna see you guys here again in June!

XO,
Jaslyn

03032015

Today marks the next phase of my braces. RUBBERBANDS!!!
I've been waiting for this moment for the longest time ever and I'm so happy to have finally made it here. This means that I'm already 3/4 into my braces journey and to whoever that has been following this space for updates, thank you so much for being here with me.

Having the rubberbands on is a little uncomfortable because of the tension it places on my gums to move the teeth. The upper set is going to move backwards while the lower set move forward to fill up the gaps. The last thing on my list after the rubber bands would be the mid line shifting for my upper front teeth which I am also excited for! This whole rubberband journey will take about 6 months only if I put on the bands diligently every single day. I will need to remove them before my meals and put a new one back on after my meals and before going to bed.

It is amazing to know how all these tools help to shift and align your teeth. I am also very amazed with the result. Although braces are a pain in the gums I have never regretted my decision to go for it. I'm also relieved to know that I am no longer receiving comments about how I should be going for braces because my teeth are so crooked. It's been 1 year and 5 months since I've gotten my braces and I am so used to having it. I used to hate how it gives me ulcers and jaw snapping issues but at the same time I am so grateful at how it has helped me become more confident with my smile.

If you need it don't be afraid to go for it. :)

Keep smiling!

XO,
Jaslyn

21.01.2015

Few weeks late for this post and I'm so sorry to those who have been waiting for this.
Latest dental appointment, two springs up on the upper set to bring some of the teeth back so it gives some space to close up the gaps on my next appointment. I honestly thought I would be suffering for 2 weeks because the initial phase (couple of days) was unbearable as it goes back to throbbing the entire night.
But I'm doing good. 1 week later I'm back to my normal diet.

Looking forward to the next phase in march!

26.10.2014

Yesterday marks the application of the largest wire before I move on to the next phase of braces. Just discovered that the wisdom tooth on my upper right developed itself and is now sitting at the very end without any discomfort. I asked Dr Ho if we could keep it so it seems like it got my extracted tooth replaced so I have a complete set of teeth but he said that I can't because after adjustment the gaps will be used up and there will no longer be any space to keep the wisdom teeth plus it might grow out slanted affecting the adjustment. But anyway the extraction isn't urgent so we will wait for an appropriate time to discuss about it. In addition to the wisdom tooth, the upper front teeth's midline seemed to be more to the left side so he said that we will be doing the midline shifting the next session (but it will be time consuming he said) and also the closing of gaps. My lower set of teeth is a little inside so he will be shifting them forward as well. For now it is all about aligning them neatly with the largest wire and in December the shifting and closing of gaps will begin. It is currently so tight that I have problem chewing because it is relatively painful so I will be sticking to soft diet for now and maybe after a couple of days later when it gets better, I will be resuming my normal diet. So far so good just that it its still painful and there is a lot of food that I don't get to enjoy for now because of the pain but I will get through it! So excited for the next phase!
I will talk to you guys again soon! Meanwhile, study hard/work hard, stay safe and be happy!

23.08.2014

Hello guys!
Just here to fill up this space since I have some time to spare. I was looking through the old photos and I have decided to do a compilation of how my teeth looked like throughout the past 10 months. It is really amazing what braces can do to our teeth isn't it?
I'm so glad I went for my braces and I no longer have to be mocked for my crooked teeth and I am definitely more confidently when I speak to anyone. Conversing with people is a big part of my life since I am in the healthcare industry. I used to have patients to who constantly digs at my teeth and asked me why I hadn't gone for braces. My grandma on the other hand was really angry at me when I decided to get my braces because I had to extract 4 teeth and go through the process of "remodelling" how my teeth looks. She didn't like the idea of changing what is naturally given to me. Of course she didn't understand what other people's comments do to me but I am glad I have supportive people around me whom despite all odds gave me their encouragements and showed their care and concern. Not even rushing me when I tend to chew slower than usual.

I really cannot wait to see how my teeth finally looks like after the braces are removed.
The process is painful but it is definitely very rewarding after 2 years. If you really think you wanna go for it, go ahead! Don't be afraid what people will think of you. We aren't born to be or look perfect. But we can do something about what we are unhappy about. Even though it is very common these days to get braces on whether it is to look cool or because one really needs it and you will come across people who are going to talk about you and give comments that are probably going to upset you. If your teeth is as bad as mine and you have difficulty eating properly, just go ahead. How they think of you doesn't matter because ultimately you are going to gain more confidence and eat in comfort.

J.

07.08.2014

Hello guys!
I am so sorry it took me so long to come back to this space. I just went for my dental appointment this afternoon and got my wire and o-rings changed! Dr Ho and I had a mini discussion on whether I want to push my front teeth slightly backwards I think this is to minimize the distance between each tooth after he close up the gaps but I am actually very concern that i might look toothless instead like old people with their dentures removed. He told me that I will if I decided to push it back so my decision for now would be that I dont want to do it however he assured me that minor adjustment can be done without much concern because my smile is relatively wide. So yeah.. I still have time to think anyway so we shall see when time comes then!
Anyway. He got the wire fixed quite tightly so it is kind of uncomfortable now be it when I eat or speak. I will probably need a couple of days to adjust to it. Just hope it doesn't hurt as bad as when I first got it on.
So.. for the color in which I have chosen for the next two months is.... purple!
Here are the two pictures. One before dental and one after.

08.06.2014

Helloooooo guise!
Hope all you people are doing great so far! So sorry that I have been neglecting this space for some time due to my really hectic schedule. Anyways. Here are my latest photos from the recent dental appointment! Check out how much my teeth have straightened and I am so grateful that I no longer have any issues with eating BUT i still get 'abrasions' on the inside of my cheek once in a while. Dr Ho told me that we have two more wires to go before he start closing up the gaps. You have no idea how excited I was when I heard that. I really cannot wait to reveal that phase of my braces to all of you!
So for now.. let's just be patient and wait for that day to come! ;)

J.