"Brace Face"

So, I have had my braces for just over a week now and this week has certainly been quite the adjustment.

I got them Thursday afternoon and the pressure I felt on my teeth for the first couple of days was just... odd. There really wasn't a lot of pain, just throbbing every so often as my teeth were moving in to position in the trays.
The other main thing I had to get used to for the first few days was the extreme amount of extra saliva that was being produced in my mouth! It was crazy! Whenever I talked I felt like I was spitting all over everyone and everything that was in my path. I actually felt the need to talk with my hand in front of my mouth so I wouldn't spray :) That actually seems to be subsiding now as my mouth gets used to having that foreign object in it 24/7.

My orthodontist impressed me greatly when I got a phone call Friday evening from the doctor himself asking me how I made out my first full day of having them and to answer any questions I might have come up with. It made me feel better to know everything that was happening was normal and I wasn't just a freak of nature LOL.
One problem I did have to ask him about was that the edge of my bottom tray was rather rough and it felt like it was scratching or cutting the inside of my lip. He had an easy solution for that for me: just take a normal, every day emery board and file the edges smooth! I did that and they felt much more comfortable. And now I know how to check and fix that problem with any of my new trays before my lip becomes endangered.

Aside from still having a slight lisp and slur to my speech I think I have been adjusting to them quite well over this past week. I feel like a dork when I drink my coffee through a straw at work but it works. I tried to make it cool at least by getting neon bendy straws :)
I have quickly fallen in to the routine of taking my trays out when I eat and then brushing my teeth before putting them back in. I now even carry a little travel toothbrush and toothpaste in my purse for those times I am not at home. I was given 2 cases to put them in when I take them out so I have one in my purse and one by my bathroom sink. One thing's for sure - by the time this is all done my teeth will be the cleanest they've ever been considering the number of times I end up brushing my teeth in a day!

This coming Thursday I go back to the orthodontist to have "buttons" or "attachments" bonded to a few of my teeth to help with the moving process. They are tooth colored so supposedly they will not be visible very easily either. I will then wear my current tray for another week after that before switching to the next. My orthodontist will give me the next few sets of trays - which are all in their own numbered package so I know which one is next - and I will switch those every 2 weeks.

So far this has been quite the experience and I am interested in seeing how it all plays out over the next 12-18 months... And you get to ride it with me :)

"The Call"

Just got that call from my orthodontist. Tomorrow afternoon at 4:15 I have an appointment to get my first set of Invisalign trays...


-- Posted on the run from my iPhone

A Life with Braces - Step 1

You read that right. At 34 years of age I have to get braces. Now, I had no idea I had teeth problems. My teeth look great - at least I thought they were until my dentist mentioned it. And now I can notice what the issue is.
My top teeth, instead of coming straight down, are coming down at an angle in towards the inside of my mouth. This is putting undue pressure and rubbing of both my bottom and top teeth. This is causing my teeth to wear and crack - to the point I actually have fracture lines on my front teeth.
The braces are going to move my teeth back in to the correct angle and improve my bite so my teeth will stop wearing away. How long is this going to take? About 12-15 months - maybe longer depending on how my teeth respond.

Now, I'm not one to worry about how things look so I didn't have a problem with the possibility of having a mouth full of wires and brackets for a good year and a half. But there are more choices these days aside from the "old fashioned" braces that everyone is used to. The choice I have made is Invisalign.

My orthodontist was really good at explaining out and describing all the choices I had when it came to fixing my teeth. And after listening to them all, I decided that, for the ease of care alone, Invisalign was the best route for me.

This route, if appropriate to use for what you have to have fixed, is the easiest for adults to adjust to. You don't have to worry about the discomfort of having all those wires and brackets in your mouth. And you can take them out for eating and cleaning your teeth. The best part is the ease of still getting your regular teeth cleanings with your dentist. No trip to the orthodontist first to remove the wires, then to the dentist for the cleaning, then back to the orthodontist to have the wires put back on. With Invisalign, you just pop them out for the cleaning and pop them back in when you're done.
Mind you, they are more expensive than "normal" braces but I think that for the ease alone it is worth it!
Today I went for my consultation, paperwork and set up. Of course, since each Invisalign is made for each individual, you don't get them right away.

I had to get "molded" so my orthodontist can then send them to the company to be made just for me. They should receive my personalized set of trays back in 4 weeks. That's when I go back and really get the ball rolling.

Now, the molding experience was a deal in and of itself! They had these special molding trays that they put some nasty tasting stuff in and then stuck to my teeth for 3 minutes! Top and bottom, one at a time. The part that sucked the most was that they had to do the top twice because the first time my back teeth got cut off! So they had to force the tray farther back in my mouth the second time and I had to overextend my jaw and hold it for 3 minutes until the mold set! Very uncomfortable, I tell you! And when they pulled the molds off my teeth, it was stuck to my lips as if I had gum stuck on them and I had to peel it off. And the taste of the stuff lingered!

After that, they had to do another set of molds for their own use. Fortunately, I got to pick a flavor for that one (watermelon!) and it was one mold, my mouth closed around it to get both top and bottom at the same time. But my mouth still hurts, hours later!

But now the first hurdle is done. I should be getting a phone call in about 4 weeks from my orthodontist telling me my Invisalign is ready for me... and that's when the real fun begins!

Virtual Rally

This is an email I got today from the Alzheimer's Association and I wanted to share it since this is something that is near and dear to my heart.
Please help us win the fight against Alzheimer's!

From April 17-May 30, you can illuminate the fight against Alzheimer's disease by participating in the Alzheimer's Association Virtual Candlelight Rally. Light a candle to tell your story and take action in the fight against this devastating disease that affects millions of Americans.

When you light a candle, you can post a message to honor or remember an individual and spread awareness about Alzheimer's disease. You can also make a donation to help advance the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association.

Our online event occurs in conjunction with the Candlelight Tribute Rally in Washington, D.C., part of the annual Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Forum. On Sunday, May 15, hundreds of Alzheimer's advocates from around the country will gather in the shadow of the United States Capitol to raise their voices as they celebrate and honor people who have been affected by Alzheimer's disease.

They gather to let our nation know that time is of the essence; that we cannot wait; that we must do all we can right now to change the course of Alzheimer's. And you can join them by being a virtual participant in the rally.

Light a candle and tell your story. Your support will light the way to a world without Alzheimer's disease. Donate, become an advocate and help us tell Congress to make Alzheimer's a national priority.

Sincerely,

Robert Beatty
National Director

PCOS Awareness

September is PCOS Awareness month. PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) affects millions of women - and half of them don't even know they have it. For that reason, the month of September is dedicated to raising awareness of this syndrome so that more women can be helped.

Why is this important to me? I have PCOS. I, like many others, didn't know what it was or had even heard about it until I was diagnosed. I didn't get my first period until I was 14 - and it became, and stayed, very irregular. I always had a battle with my weight, but shortly after getting married, suddenly gained 100 pounds for no explainable reason... and doctors couldn't give me any explanation for my weight gain other than "You're just happy in your life and settling down". What???
I wasn't diagnosed until I was trying to conceive and was having no luck. It took trips to several different doctors and several blood tests to finally pinpoint the issue. And, like most people, I had no clue what it was I was being diagnosed with.

What is PCOS? It is the most common female endocrine disorder, affecting approximately 5%-10% of all females. It is a hormonal disorder that involves multiple systems within the body, and is believed to be caused by insensitivity to the hormone insulin.
Some common symptoms include: irregular or no menstrual periods, irregular ovulation, excess facial and body hair, ovarian cysts, and weight management difficulties. It is not necessary to have all of these symptoms to have PCOS. In fact it is not necessary to have "polycystic ovaries" to have PCOS. PCOS manifests itself differently in each woman. I, for example, have never actually been diagnosed with having ovarian cysts. Also, about 40% of women with PCOS are of normal weight - some even under. Unfortunately, I am not one of those.

PCOS cannot be cured, but it can be managed. Diet, exercise and, in some cases, medical intervention can do a lot to help eliminate PCOS symptoms. Management of PCOS is essential. If it remains unmanaged, it can progress to diabetes and can lead to certain forms of cancer.

That's why it is so important to make women more aware of this syndrome so they can get treatment.
Maybe you have a mother, daughter, sister or friend who is overweight and not sure why. Perhaps a female friend suffers from excess facial hair but thinks it is only a cosmetic problem. Tell them they can start by taking the quiz at http://www.pcosupport/quiz.php which will help them to evaluate their risks and guide them toward seeking help from a doctor.

Help spread the word about PCOS. You never know who may learn from us and in turn, get the help they need!


*Facts from the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association

National Memory Screening Day

I know it's late in the day, but until midnight it is still National Memory Screening Day. I'm just a little slow on the uptake :)

The National Memory Screening organization is an initiative of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.

The ongoing initiative of the Nat'l Memory Screening and AFA is to list free, confidential memory screenings that local organizations are offering in their communities throughout the year but the annual event of National Memory Screening Day is held each November to promote early detection of memory problems as well as Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses, and encourages appropriate intervention. Qualified healthcare professionals at community venues nationwide offer free, confidential memory screenings, education about memory screenings and successful aging, and follow-up resources.

These screenings are not a diagnosis, but can suggest whether a medical evaluation would be beneficial. Extensive study has indicated that these screenings are of value to individuals who participate in them.

Unfortunately, with an issue as sensitive as Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses, there is often misinformation. AFA created this fact sheet to address some of the more common misconceptions about memory screening and National Memory Screening Day. AFA believes that all individuals should be empowered to make informed decisions to better manage their own health, not discouraged from screening based on misinformation.

There are lots of resources out there for help - please don't be afraid to check them out.

*From Nat'l Memory Screening and AFA websites*

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It's October 1st - the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
This year, NBCAM is celebrating it's 25th year of awareness, education and empowerment!

Some facts on NBCAM (from ncbam.org)

• The first NBCAM program took place in October 1985 as a week-long event to fill the information void in public communication about breast cancer. The founding members of the Board of Sponsors, the American Academy of Family Physicians, AstraZeneca Healthcare Foundation and CancerCare, Inc., distributed brochures, spoke to news reporters, and testified before a U.S. Congressional committee about the crucial need for widespread access to mammography.
• Today the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) organization is comprised of several national public service organizations, professional medical associations, and government agencies working in partnership to build breast cancer awareness, share information and provide access to screening services.
• October is designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, however, at NBCAM, breast cancer awareness and education is a year-round mission.

There are various events in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month taking place all over the country. Walks, symposiums, conferences and National Mammography Day just to name a few.

Check out your area and see how you can help support this very important cause.

World Alzheimer's Day

Today is World Alzheimer's Day. 35 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer's or dementia and the number of people being affected is increasing at a rapid rate. Every 70 seconds someone develops Alzheimer's!

It's also a disease that hits close to home for me. My maternal grandfather lived with the disease for years. My grandmother tried to take care of him herself but she couldn't continue to do it by herself so she had to put him in a specialized nursing home for Alzheimer's patients.
He forgot how to talk, he forgot how to walk, he forgot who people were... it is a frustrating and horrifying disease - and a sad one for the loved ones of those affected. He passed away from complications of the disease in December of 2006.

The Alzheimer's Association's vision is to see a world without Alzheimer's. But they can't do it alone.
Their hope is that World Alzheimer's Day brings awareness worldwide of how widespread this disease is - and to one day find a cure.

Think about it. You can help fight Alzheimer's with just $5! And hopefully one day there will no longer need to be a World Alzheimer's Day...

I love you and miss you Papa!

Rays Blues

Horrible, horrible news today in the Rays baseball world. Carlos Pena broke 2 fingers today when he got hit by a pitch and is out for the rest of the season!

The Rays have no chance at the pennant now with their top player down for the count :(
I guess there's always next year...

National Immunization Awareness Month

August is the perfect time to remind family and friends to catch up on their vaccinations. Parents are enrolling their children in school, students are entering college, and healthcare workers are preparing for the upcoming flu season.

Why are immunizations important?
Vaccines offer safe and effective protection from infectious diseases. Vaccines have eradicated smallpox, eliminated wild polio virus in the United States and significantly reduced the number of cases of measles, diphtheria, rubella, pertussis (whooping cough) and other diseases. By staying up-to-date on the recommended vaccines, individuals can protect themselves, their families and friends from serious, life-threatening infections.

Who should be immunized?
Getting immunized is a lifelong effort regardless of age, gender, race, ethnic background or country of origin. Recommended vaccinations begin soon after birth and may continue through adulthood. Being aware of the vaccines that are recommended for people of all ages, and making sure that we receive these immunizations, is critical to protecting ourselves and our communities from disease.

When are immunizations given?
Because children are particularly vulnerable to infection, most vaccines are given during the first five to six years of life. Other immunizations are recommended during adolescent or adult years. For certain vaccines, booster immunizations are recommended throughout life. Vaccines against certain diseases that may be encountered outside of the U.S. are recommended for specific regions of the world.

Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about immunizations, including an Adult immunization schedule and the Childhood and adolescent immunization schedule.

**Source: MedicAlert Member Newsletter**

Free Dental Cleanings

Again this year to prepare kids for the return to school, the Pinellas County Health Department is offering free Back-to-School Dental Exams and Cleanings throughout the month of July.


WHAT: Free Dental Exams and Cleanings for school age children 4-18

WHERE: The following Health Centers:

• July 1 - Tarpon Springs, 301 S Disston Ave., (727) 942-5457
• July 8 - Clearwater, 310 N Myrtle Ave., (727) 469-5800, ext. 121
• July 15 - Largo, 12420 130th Ave. N, (727) 588-4040, ext. 129
• July 22 - St. Pete, 205 Dr. M. L. King St. N, (727) 824-6975
• July 29 - Pinellas Park, 6350 76th Ave. N, (727) 547-7780, ext. 103
  

WHEN: Wednesdays only, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., each week will be at a different center

DETAILS:
The U.S. Surgeon General estimates that children with oral diseases miss over 51-million hours of school each year and untreated oral disease can lead to serious or even life-threatening conditions resulting in emergency room visits, extended hospital stays and costly medications. Preventative dental services reduce costly dental problems. Pinellas County Department of Health is offering free dental exams and cleanings to school age children 4-18 on Wednesdays, beginning July 1 through July 29, at the health centers listed above. The exams and cleanings are for children who have never been to the dental clinic at the Health Department and have no private health insurance. Medicaid is accepted. First and second visits are free. The third visit fee is a sliding scale based on income. A parent or guardian must accompany the child. No appointments are necessary.