Braces Month 6: Time For Rubber Bands

I am at the 6-month mark with my braces! My teeth are totally straight. It’s amazing.

I don’t even remember which side my “hillbilly” angle was on. I got the rubber bands installed during my most recent appointment. Dr. Newhart was excited to get them on me and said if I wear them properly we will be done in a year.

I have been eating and sleeping with them.

I am supposed to insert another rubber band on my last molar. I managed to install it in one time and it broke at lunch the next day. The one that the orthodontist installed is more resilient than what I could do. I intend to wear them.

So, what are braces like? I go to Dr. Newhart, my orthodontist, every three months and they give me a tightening. It really hurts for a couple days. It will feel pretty horrible while eating after your tightening. Chewing is excruciating and you should stick with soft foods. I got a headache at work, too. So, I went for a walk and went to bed early. But other than that my life is fine. People don’t even know I have braces; it’s so funny how I once stressed about “having braces”.

In April, I wrote that this was an exercise in what “a year” feels like. Well, six months flew by.

Miles, the German Shepard that I rescued in has settled into his new home completely. And he barks now. In the beginning, I wasn’t sure if he could bark, but now I see that he has a powerful German Shepard bark. He’s gaining confidence. We completed his Level 1 training at Petco. He knows all of the commands but is a little stubborn. All Miles wants is to be petted on the head, all day long.

I try, as much as I can, to take Miles to Runyon Canyon in the morning… He loves it, it is the best exercise for both of us. The hike takes an hour and can only be done when I wake up before 6:30, which is hard! But catching the sunrise over the Hollywood sign is always worth it.

Over the course of the six months, I’ve also gone plant-based, pescetarian. I’ve stopped eating meat, including chicken, with the exception of fish. I’ve also taken up private ballet lessons.