Top 10 Things You Should Know about Braces

So, it's been one week since the speed braces were installed. How has it been? Here's my

Top 10 things I've experienced with my Viazi Speed Braces:

#10 - Things really did taste like metal for a few days.
I found that citrus (i.e. orange juice, lemonade) drinks taste really awful with metal. Using a straw helps bypass the metal and go straight to the gullet. Besides Tylenol, straws are my second new BFFs.

#9 - Everyone wants to see them.
Lucky for them, I'm diligent about brushing immediately after I eat or they could be in for more than they bargained for (like a clear view of the turkey salad and sprouts I had for lunch).

#8 - Everyone has a story about braces.
About when THEY had braces, or someone they know had braces. These generally demonstrate how awful the old braces were, with their head gear and Rhode Island-sized retainers. This assures me these new speed braces really ARE cool and cutting edge. My gratitude improves with each of these stories.

#7 - People who have never had braces are fascinated and have lots of questions.
No problem; I just refer them to this blog. That's why I started it.

#6 - It takes FOREVER to brush.
To brush well, anyway. I'll write more about the ins and outs of brushing braces in another blog.

#5 - People say that they never noticed anything wrong with my teeth before.
This is really nice because it means that they are not staring at my teeth all the time and judging me on their presentation (remember the judge on Ally McBeal that had to look at everyone's teeth in order to trust them?) The truth is, I'm really doing this for me. And I believe that I have never really smiled big and that's why people may not have noticed.

#4 - It feels like my lip sticks out.

#3 - I spit when I talk.
Even after a week, I still sometimes spit a little when I talk. People be warned; distance (or an umbrella) can be your friend!

#2 - People say it makes me look younger.
Ok, now were on to some serious motivation! Forget a better smile. No facelift? No skin cream? It's the braces that give me that youthful glow - err, youthful metalic glow, that is? I'll take it.

# 1 - Braces are a great weight loss opportunity!
The first few days my teeth were so sore that it was nothin' but sick food; chicken soup and applesauce. After a few days I got more adventurous with bread, pasta and even a piece of pizza. But it takes so long to chew with only the teeth that aren't sore that I actually get tired of eating before I'm even full. Snacking is out of the question. As a result, I've lost 3 pounds in one week. Who needs those funky Jenny Craig meals? And aerobics classes are so 1980's. Just tack on some Viazi braces and watch the pounds melt off! (disclaimer: braces are not an actual weightloss program, but added here for comedic effect.)