Brace Face

Earlier in the month, Aubree got braces. 

Before

For the time being, she only has them on her front, top four teeth. As she loses the last of her baby molars, she will acquire more hardware on the top and the bottom.

She had mixed feelings about getting braces. On the one hand, braces are a kind of right-of-passage; a symbol that you're officially no longer a little kid. A lot of her friends have braces, so it means getting to join the "club." Plus, braces have come a long way, and now they look pretty neat (she chose teal as the color around her brackets).

On the other hand, she'd heard tales of pain and woe, and was not looking forward to the hurt-factor. The night before her appointment, she kept texting me (I wasn't at home) asking if she could make jello or pudding in anticipation of her mouth needing soft food. Milk it kid!

Getting braces put on took longer than I expected (it probably wasn't the best idea that I had the whole crew with me), but Aubree was a tough and patient patient. She said it didn't hurt getting them on, but the following few days her cheeks were sore and tender from where the wires rubbed.

You know what really hurts? The bill! Braces are EXPENSIVE. I know that the Seattle area is notorious for high dental costs, so I don't know if this is what braces cost elsewhere, but Aubree's braces are $6500 (insurance will pay $2000 of that). YOWZERS!

The orthodontist estimates Aubree will be in braces for 2 - 2 1/2 years. Then it Bryce's turn. Then Thane's. Then Graham's. And then Nellie's. Pretty much we'll just be putting the orthodontist's kid through college.