So after years of being unhappy with my teeth I decided to take action myself and march down to the dentist to ask for a brace. There is a bit of background regarding my gnashers...
When I was 16 they sent me to the hospital to get my jaw checked out and told me I needed surgery. Of course I did what any 16 year old would do when given the choice of having a major operation or getting to keep my summer holidays to laze around with mates - I said no.
When I was 20 I had changed to a different dentist when it creeped up on me again. Would I like to have jaw surgery to correct my bite? Still naive and young at heart I thought better of it. Why was I always given this grand choice? Why not just waltz me off to the theatre and be done with it? My mum and dad weren't overly impressed with the idea of me having my jaw broken when it didn't seem to be an imperative thing. So once again I got away with it, my jaw intact.
Fast-forward 2 1/2 years later and I started to feel self conscious about my pearly whites. I'd over analyse pictures of myself, make sure I was at a particular angle on photos, smile with my mouth closed. Anything to not have to look at those teeth of mine. I noticed they were getting more and more out of line as the months and years went by. I longed for that perfect hollywood smile. I ate, slept and breathed having an amazing smile. Starting a new job - I felt self conscious. What were people going to think of my teeth?? Probably nothing - they're just teeth right? But to me they were getting to be all I could think about. Everytime I met someone new I'd analyse their teeth and smile. Triumphant that maybe one of my teeth was better aligned than theirs or unhappy that they didn't live constantly chained up in a world of crookedness.
Now as you're reading this you may think 'She must have the worst teeth in the world'. I didn't. Far from it. But it was just something that became so central and important to myself. That day in the dentist when I asked for a brace he told me I was probably eligible for it free on the NHS because of my jaw but I could get a quicker consultation if I paid £80. So I did it. Anything to get this show on the road...
