My teeth...

HURT!! Not bad pain, but they still hurt. Which is sort of weird because I have been wearing these new retainers for over a week. I have been wearing them a lot, too. So I wouldn't expect my teeth to be hurting. They still are a bit tight, too. I can get them off now without using my shirt, but it sometimes takes a couple tries to grip it right. Maybe this set is really moving them? I have noticed the attachments are in different positions, so my teeth definitely have moved. (Not like I was questioning the movement)

I have also noticed there is now a small gap between my front teeth! As well as the teeth right next to the front teeth. Still unsure why. Makes me feel self conscious. And honestly I think my teeth look funny without the retainers. But they look kinda funny with the retainers now too. With the retainers off, my front teeth look big and boxy. With them on, the attachments stand out a lot. And I think that's because I haven't been taking very good care of my teeth.

With embarrassment, I am posting this picture of my teeth without retainers. I have a side by side picture of me in real life and me with some edited teeth whitening. Because my teeth really seem to have gotten yellow. I think my habit of drinking pop and other beverages while wearing retainers has taken its' toll. Because they get in the retainers and just sit on my teeth basically. So I am going to make a big effort to stop that. And also I'm going to make a big effort to brush my teeth everytime after I eat/drink. I want to use teeth whitening, but I don't think it's a good idea with my attachments on because then the part of my tooth that is covered by the attachment will not be reached. So as soon as my attachments are off, I will be using whitening toothpaste, whitening mouthwash, and some kind of whitening strips or those trays you put the goo in. So in an effort to motivate myself, here is the cringe worthy picture.

Now I'm sure it's not common to have teeth as white as the computer software allowed me to edit them, but my teeth could definitely use some work. Which honestly, from looking at these and other pictures has gotten a lot worse in the last month. So my new goal is paying more attention to taking care of my retainers. I want to be proud of my smile! Soon they will be aligned and straight all the way. So all I have to do is make them whiter. I get so lazy with brushing, I know I just speed through it because I have an electric toothbrush. But no more shortcuts! My motivation is all in the picture!!