Fix & Repair

Have you ever had a car that runs like a top for years, then suddenly starts needing things. Brakes, exhaust, water pump, you know - one thing after another. That car that was such a gem turns into a bit of a money pit. You just know it's time to get a new car because you'll end up sinking money into a lost cause. Well, I sort of feel like that about myself. It's just not possible to go out and get a new body...at least not yet. So, I'm sinking money into this one since it has now started needing things.

One of my repairs has to do with braces. In my mouth. At my age. I don't know what I was thinking! I don't really mind this one, even though it's pretty expensive. I have a couple of teeth that are a little crooked - not bad - but I would like them fixed. My dentist suggested braces. I immediately thought of all that metal in my mouth and promptly dismissed the idea. This is the year I'm turning 50! I don't want to have a mouth full of braces.

I did a little research. I found Invisalign (www.invisalign.com). Now, that's something I can do! If you haven't heard of Invisalign - picture this: You put clear plastic "covers" over your teeth that have been made just for you. There are twenty or thirty of these "covers" (they are really called aligners) and you put a different one in every couple of weeks. You start out with one that is shaped slightly different than your mouth, this begins the aligning process. With each tray, your teeth move a little more. When you get to the last tray, the alignment is done! Wow, pretty cool! I will be getting my aligners in a couple of weeks!

The aligners have to be worn 22 hours a day. I will be able to take them out to eat, to brush my teeth, or drink coffee - as long as I have them in 22 hours. These are the kind of braces that I can do. I met a woman who was wearing them and I couldn't tell she had them on even when she told me she was wearing them - that's pretty amazing.

I believe that these braces will be a good move for me in more ways than one. I have heard that it hurts to have teeth straightened. My husband had braces for seven years when he was a kid and he says that even without the metal, my mouth is going to be sore. I am thinking that this is a good thing. It will be like automatic weight management! What a deal! I get my teeth straightened AND won't be able to eat very well. What a great side effect!

Notice that segue into weight? You didn't actually think that I was going to write something and not mention weight did you??? How can I possibly ignore something when I'm obsessed over it? I would be doing my obsession an injustice if I didn't even mention weight.

Okay - back to the braces. Because I'm so self conscious (let's be honest - it's really vanity), I couldn't imagine dealing with metal braces in my mouth. The thought also gives me claustrophobia - they are cemented on, aren't they? I would'nt be able to take them off. It would be like wearing the same outfit every day for a year!

So, I'm a fan of doing something good for myself that isn't visible. At least not visible in a bad way. Funny thing is - when other people wear braces, I don't even notice it. I only notice things that are on me....like weight (there goes that obsession again).