GETTING BRACES (First 3 Days)

September 26, 2012 (Day 1: Installation)

First dental appointment. New dentist. (Dra. Rue & Lassyl Galao – 1462 G. Tuazon Street, Sampaloc Manila)

I went to get a dental check-up at around 2:30PM. I had plans with my friend April that night and I thought, “Oh, this wouldn’t take long, it’s only a check-up.” I got my teeth structure (or whatever it is called) molded.

Dra. Lassyl examined everything and told me my case isn’t that bad. I didn’t need any extraction as I have spaces at the back of my upper teeth (she had a dental term for that but obviously, my brain wasn’t able to remember it all) We talked about the terms of payments and the date I wanted to get my braces installed. I initially said “next week”. I chose conventional braces for PHP25,000 (up & down).

Dra. Rue (Dra. Lassy’s mom arrived) and took a look at my case, as well. She asked me if I wanted to get the braces installed that day. I was like, really??? Right now? WITHOUT EVEN THINKING ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES, I IMPULSIVELY SAID YES.

Oh man, I didn’t know what I was in for.

All I could remember was seeing myself with a perfect set of aligned teeth. (I don’t really have any problems with my lower set, I have overcrowding teeth on my upper set, though).

We first took photos for the “before” shots. I still don’t have them, but I’ll totally add them in here when I get them next week.

After the photo-taking, Dra. Lassyl did some tooth filling first. And then came the installment of my braces.

“BRACES”—sounds mighty evil, doesn’t it? You’ll know why if you keep on reading…

First thought upon finishing with the installment?

“HOLYYYYYYY CRAP. MY MOUTH IS HUGE.”

I felt like the little girl from FINDING NEMO. I looked like a dork, and I COULDN’T SPEAK PROPERLY.

NO PAIN AT ALL. (LET’S GIVE EMPHASIS TO THIS.) I was overjoyed. Damn, I don’t feel pain baby!

Dra. Rue gave me wax (apparently for the braces—I didn’t think I would need them coz I didn’t feel pain at all.) I got a new orthodontic brush (a toothbrush for people with braces), my molder “BEFORE” set of teeth, and a prescription! Dra. Rue told me I would feel pain the next afternoon. I was quite skeptical.

I bid them goodbye and went out to meet April.

I was still able to eat a bit properly that night, albeit feeling a little “BRACED”. No PAIN, STILL. After dinner, we went out partying. I felt NO PAIN AT ALL.

I was still able to smile like this:

Level of pain: 0 out of 5

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 (DAY 2)

GOOD MORNING, BRACED LINDSAY!

Woke up slightly feeling weirdness (in my mouth) Slight pain, yes. I noticed how my braces SCRAPED THE INNER PARTS OF MY MOUTH. No pus, no sores, just straight up SCRAPED SURFACES.

I did not mind. I told myself, this would go away.

I had COFFEE for breakfast. And I made soup, too! That was all I could eat. Biting was difficult already. I felt a little scared.

AFTERNOON CAME & MY MOUTH JUST SUDDENLY DECIDED TO SHUT DOWN. I WAS IN PAIN. It felt like ALL MY TEETH WERE GONNA FALL OFF.

I drank my  pain-killer. The ones that Dra. Rue prescribed.

I DIDN’T TALK THE WHOLE DAY. MY MOUTH WAS JUST SHUT.

Level of pain: 2 out of 5

SEPTEMBER 28, 2012 (Day 3)

I learned how to use my dental wax. I STUFFED MY MOUTH WITH THEM. They prevented the devil braces from scraping the inner parts of my mouth even more.

Slight discomfort felt, but the wax kept me sane.

I had soup soup soup.

I was able to edit videos and blog a few posts.

Level of pain: 2 out of 5

SEPTEMBER 29, 2012 (Day 4)

2 hours of sleep because I had a lot to do today (yes, today is the 29th) I attended a ribbon cutting ceremony in Bulacan in the morning. My mouth felt SO FREAKIN’ BIG. I had a difficult time pronouncing words and even talking to people. Damn, I was like, what the heck is happening to my mouth…

After the ribbon cutting I went straight to the UAAP game for the shooting of the Silverworks Courtside Charmer. I kept re-applying my lip balm because my lips felt SO DRY and CRACKY.

Filming with Silverworks was el horible. 10 seconds of FAKE ASS SMILING BECAUSE MY BRACES WERE IN THE WAY. I haven’t seen the replay yet, it’s gonna air tomorrow night 7PM Balls Channel, contrary to what I announced which is today at 8PM—scratch that, watch tomorrow at 7PM. First quarter of the ADMU-DLSU game. You will SEE how awkward my smile was. My sister’s boyfriend said I was like smirking.  -_-

I didn’t have any lunch. I couldn’t eat anything. I just drank Gatorade and milktea to somehow fill my tummy with SOMETHING because I honestly felt like fainting. I MISS FOOD WTF.

MY MOUTH BLEW UP BY 2PM. MY MOUTH SWELLED. I DID NOT TALK THAT MUCH TODAY. I JUST KNEW MY MOUTH WAS BECOMING MORE AND MORE AND MORE PAINFUL.

I SKIPPED 2 OF MY LAST CLASSES TODAY BECAUSE I COULDN’T TAKE THE PAIN. I just HAD TO GO HOME.

My mom made me soup and sausages (the soft kind) I ate and drank water. OH MAN. I AM STILL IN PAIN.

I just got out of the bathroom CRYING MY EYES OUT OKAY? ANG SAKIT. THIS IS TOO MUCH PAIN.

I now have 4 HUGE MOUTH SORES. By HUGE I mean HUGE. Remember the scrapes I told you during day 2??? THOSE SCRAPES DEVELOPED INTO SORES. (sores=singaw in Filipino)

Okay, so I took my makeup off and I teared up. It was PAINFUL TO EVEN TOUCH THE AREA AROUND MY MOUTH WITH A MAKEUP WIPE!

Then I went in the bathroom to gargle. Oh man. I cried like a baby. THE PAIN WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD. I TELL YOU. I felt so weak because of the pain. I FELT SO WEAK.

I CRIED CRIED CRIED. Gargled with BETADINE Mouthwash (great for mouth sores)

Then I realized every time I fill my mouth full of water, I don’t feel the pain. SO HERE I AM WITH A MOUTHFUL OF WATER. I WISH I CAN SLEEP LIKE THIS.

I WANT THESE BRACES OFF MY TEETH. I DON’T WANNA GO THROUGH MONTHS (AND GOD FORBID, YEARS!!!!!!!) OF THIS TORTURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am damn serious. I WANT THESE OFF ASAP.

I NEED A MOUTH PIECE OR SOMETHING. Just PLEASE prevent these evil metals from cutting my mouth inside…………….

I NEED A HIGHER DOSAGE OF PAIN KILLER. I CANNOT STAND THIS PAIN. I DON’T WANT TO SUFFER ANYMORE.

Nothing can comfort me. No words can comfort me.

I can’t believe I’m paying PHP25,000 TO MAKE MYSELF SUFFER LIKE THIS.

Imagine me SWEARING non-stop right now. THAT IS HOW PAINFUL THIS IS. I AM NOT KIDDING YOU.

“You should’ve gotten Invisalign!”—OH BELIEVE ME I WOULD’VE, but keep in mind that I am spending my OWN money now. 25,000 is already a huge. What more a hundred grand?

I WANNA WAKE UP WITH MY ORIGINAL IMPERFECT TEETH.

THIS PAIN IS JUST TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH.

More updates in the next days.

Level of pain: 5 over 5