Tag Archives: dental

What insecurity?

A whole new smile
A whole new smile

I am a pretty confident woman. Actually, I like to think I’m a very confident woman. A positive person. Someone who loves to smile and who loves to see others smile. I like to make other people happy, and I long ago found one of the best ways is through just a smile.  And I’ve been told many times over that I have a great smile.

However, when asked what my favorite facial feature is on myself, I would always without hesitation say, “My eyes!” They were hidden for years behind thick glasses until, when in college, I finally got the nerve to get contacts. (I couldn’t, prior to that, fathom putting something IN MY EYE. But now, I can practically do it in my sleep.) Even so, when wearing make-up I’d choose to feature my eyes. I’ve leaned on eye liner for years to make them stand out, and, as always told in make-up rules, I’d leave my lips alone. A little gloss, or a neutral tone now and then, but on a whole I wouldn’t accent them at all.

Strange for someone who loves to smile, right? Strange for someone with confidence.

However, deep, deep down, in a place that I never gave any power, there was an insecurity due to my teeth.

Tillamook Cheese Factory
Far from perfect teeth.

Now, I am dead serious when I say that I never gave it much conscious thought. About the only time I really gave my teeth much power was when taking a self-portrait. Let’s see if you notice what I am talking about…

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Yup. In photos, my teeth were my little hidden secret. And it is in THAT action that I admit they were an insecurity. Very few people would ever make a comment on my teeth. I generally felt that anyone who did had issues of their own and were making themselves feel better by pointing out MY major imperfection. But in reality, the few people who would say anything were always very nice about it. Asking with curiosity why I’d not ever had braces. Or, in one case, giving me a high five with a smile of their own to revel their own front gap! But it would never fail… it would take a few minutes to “shake it off” when my insecurity was brought out front to my attention.

All that being said, getting my teeth fixed has been very low on my radar for years. If I hadn’t fixed them by now, what was the point?

72_541515795924_2190_nI mean, I’m happily married to a man who makes me feel beautiful everyday… who looks at me like I’m gorgeous even when I know I look like I’ve been hit by a truck.

I have a great confidence already, and my teeth aren’t exactly on my radar. My family and friends love me as I am. I’ve never been held back in life in general (as far as I know!) due to my teeth.  So… what would be the point?

Then last summer, in the midst of getting a lot dental work done, my dentist presented me with an offer/option. One of my front teeth had a cavity in it, and it would need some work soon. What if we put crowns over the front teeth, and he could reshape them to be straighter through those crowns?

For me, my stomach clinched at the thought of the cost. It would be a lot of money! What on earth would I be thinking if I did this!? However, the offer was intriguing. And after some discussion with my parents and my husband, I agreed to do it.

So one day last summer, I went into the dentist for some sedation dentistry, and I came out with temporary crowns on my teeth. That looked just like my old teeth. I had seen the proposed models of what my teeth would look like in the end, and it was nice! A definite improvement.

We will skip the silly reasons why it took almost six months and one visit to re-cast my molds for the crowns, but on Monday morning I headed in for the big reveal.

And I walked out with a perfect smile. My dentist went above and beyond what he’d proposed to do for me. I keep looking in the mirror and being taken aback by my new smile. I keep running my tongue over the back of my teeth, looking for the gap that no longer exists. Occasionally I notice forming words with my lips has changed. And now… I want to wear lipstick. My old teeth-based insecurity replaced by a new smile.

Here I am at 33 with a whole new look… and here’s the funny thing. Now I feel more motivated to shed the 15 lbs I’ve put on in the last 7 years. I want the rest of my body to match the new smile. It’s made me want to care about ME more. It’s given me a boost I never in a million years thought I needed.

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Of music, teeth and Lent

On Sunday, I got to see the Glenn Miller Orchestra for the second time in my life. I blogged about my first show two years ago; it was a show that knocked my socks off. I have an appreciation for the music they play and the days on end they spend on the road each year.

Glenn Miller Orchestra

With a new band leader and a new female lead singer (at least new since two years ago) it was like a whole new show, even though I recognized several of the musicians. This year, my parents and I purchased a CD, so I can enjoy the music any time I want to now!

I really wish they’d play close to Nashville sometime, so my husband and I can see them together. But, hey, its also a really nice perk to tax season in Texas! I already have next year’s show on my calendar. Who cares if I am one of the youngest people in attendance… great music knows no age limit.

 Glenn Miller Orchestra

With all the fun under my belt, it was time for me to go get my teeth cleaned yesterday. I haven’t had a cleaning in… I don’t know how long. I know some of you are going, “Ew.” Others are nodding in agreement. It is what it is.

I’ll be honest here… I had forgotten what to expect, and I went in braced for tons of bad news about my dental health. My blood pressure was definitely elevated and my pulse was 116. Worked up a bit? Uh. YEAH.

But all went well. I love how my teeth feel now, and I got a mix of good AND bad news. So I’m choosing to bask in the good news versus wallow in the bad. I go back in a week to have a TON of work done. I love sedation dentistry. I am blissfully unaware, and they get about four visits worth of work done at one time. Love it.

It was Fat Tuesday, so I followed my dental appointment with work and then splurging myself on a good dinner and a Shamrock Shake from McDonalds. (OMG HEAVEN in green.)

I blame Nashville for my love for Mardi Gras. It was never a big deal growing up, but when I moved to Nashville I discovered how much fun it can be.

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So, I wore my beads and didn’t care if anyone else cared. It let me have a little subtle fun.

Lent is kicking off, and I was going to give up alcohol. However, that’s pretty difficult when you’re a bartender.

My mom, however, gave me a book to read through Lent. Rediscover Catholicismlooks perfect for this goal. (Moms know best!) I am still strongly Catholic and my faith is as strong as ever. However, I do think I’m in need of a “reboot” to the passion of my beliefs. This might just be the thing I need… it’ll do more than giving up alcohol!

So what are others giving up for Lent? Or are you giving yourself more of a challenge of something to do through Lent instead? I’d love to hear and be able to lend support if I can!