Braces

Yesterday grandson Austin had a baby tooth pulled and braces put on his teeth.

First Full Day of Braces for Austin

He visited today and we asked him to smile into the camera.  These braces will help make a beautiful smile for him.  He is lucky to have this treatment available for him.

I was raised in the 1950's.  I visited the dentist about three times during my childhood.  No braces were ever suggested for me.  My family couldn't afford them if they had been.  I had teeth that grew over themselves.  My family called them elephant tusks.  Eventually they were pulled.  No other treatment was suggested.  The dentist just told my family that the newer teeth would grow down into my mouth in the right place after that.  Braces would probably have helped me to have a prettier smile if I had been offered the treatment.  However I did have a few cavities filled along the way.  Most of them are still in my mouth now almost 50 years later.

My daughter was told she needed braces so we got them for her.  The dentist tugged on them so hard that her mouth was so sore.  When we left the dentist's office we stopped to eat at a buffet.  She got some pineapple fibers trapped in her braces.  It took a long time to get her teeth and braces clean.  Every time we had an appointment her braces were tightened and she would hurt for a while afterwards.  I remember feeling so sorry for her. If she had a tear it would break my heart.  She was brave and tried to never complain.

Well the generations past and the rites of passage continue.  I hope Austin will take care of his braces and emerge from the experience with wonderful, straight, perfect teeth.  His smile needs no work.  It is perfect just as it is.  I get to say that since he is my grandson!

God is good!