Getting Ready To Smile

So I had a dentist appointment yesterday and even though I really liked him and it went very well, I got home and bawled my eyes out. I think it was because my smile has been such a source of emotional pain for most of my life. I think part of me was happy and relieved with the visit and part of me just needed a good cry. Having broken my two front permanent teeth when I was only 7 has really affected me. I feel like a nice smile says so much about a person. I feel like a yucky smile says a lot too- even though the assumptions can be false. I feel like people assume one's hygiene isn't good if their smile isn't gleaming white and that sort of thing. Have you ever noticed on movies and cartoons the bad guys always have less than desirable smiles? I've always been very self conscious of my smile and go through seasons of depression and doubt because I hate my teeth so much. (You're probably thinking I'm silly, but it's true) I'm so glad God looks at the heart and not the outward appearance- not that my heart is always perfect but I'm glad I don't have to get His favor based on how I look. He takes me right where I am.

So, I found out yesterday that I've got to get my much needed dental work done as soon as possible. It will take a couple of months and will cost a lot- I have no idea how we'll pay for it or if we're supposed to finance it. But the dentist said we really need to get this stuff done now because if I wait I'm going to have bone damage, if I don't already. I think overall this is a blessing because I can't put it off due to finances any longer. Really, I shouldn't have put it off this long. I don't know why I always put my needs last and I haven't really been honest with Caleb about how badly I wanted/needed to have all this done. I've just stuffed it down, thinking it would happen someday. Well, thanks be to God because I think that day has finally come!

So, we'll start by whitening all my teeth (Can I get an AMEN?). This will make my front two teeth look much worse in comparison to the others because they aren't natural tooth and won't whiten. So basically, for about 2 weeks I will be laying very low so I wont be seen much with my mismatched tooth color. Next he will replace my front two teeth with beautiful ceramics!!! You have no idea how excited this makes me. He said by the time we're all done I am going to love my smile. Honestly, if that happens, it will be the first time in my whole life that I will feel good about my smile.

I was a 7 year old, with brand new permanent teeth (little bumps still on the bottoms of them and all) when I slipped and fell on wet concrete. It was very traumatic for me and even more traumatic for my poor mom who heard me crying and came running to a bloody mouth and two broken teeth. We went straight to the dentist after hours. The dentist was very kind I remember and he bonded my teeth for me. The problem with bonding is it stains quickly and over time it cracks. Thankfully, dentistry has come a long way since then and I shouldn't ever have to have "bonding" again! (Can I get another AMEN?)

I'm so serious about this, if I were ever blessed with a lot of money, I would set up some kind of dental scholarship for people who need dental work and can't afford it. Friends, hold me to this if I ever by chance ended up wealthy, okay?

So I guess in all this, I want to ask for prayer that first of all it would all go smoothly and that I would in fact be happy with my new smile. I guess anything is an upgrade but I've waited this long, I hope it is a good experience. Next, that God would give us wisdom on how to afford this and/or if we should finance it.
I'm sure you didn't plan on a dental update when you logged on to my blog today. I won't start the whole process probably for another month because that is how long it takes the insurance company to give an estimate of their coverage. Then hopefully it will all begin. If I'm brave enough, I will post before and after pictures when it's all said and done. Okay, thanks for reading.