XX My Life – Page 2 – Pepper Scraps

Healthy Advice: Considering Invisalign

I was surprised as my new dentist informed me the problems with my teeth may be a result of my “bite”. I never thought there was anything wrong with my teeth, beside having a couple slightly crooked teeth, they seemed fine. My dentist as a child told my mom I didn’t really need braces.

My new dentist let me know that my teeth were hitting slightly off and that if I had that corrected some of the discomfort with my teeth might be fixed.

After the doctor mentioning this, my misaligned bite suddenly became noticeable. When I bite down I notice that my teeth hit then slide together. Wow I how could I have never noticed that before?!

[box style=”rounded” border=”full”]Fun Fact: Most people do not have naturally straight teeth; in fact, the AAO estimates that up to 75 percent of people could benefit from orthodontic care[/box]

Take Care of your Teeth!

Two years ago I was reminded about the importance of taking care of my teeth when I had to have a tooth pulled. I had a temporary crown I had let go too long.

I made a pledge to take better care of my teeth!

I started in on the process of getting my teeth healthy again! After many fillings, root canal, and tons of hygiene appointments my teeth are starting to become healthy. When the dentist talked about talking to an orthodontist I was all for it, whatever will help!

But then afterwards I thought to myself, oh no, braces.

[box style=”rounded” border=”full”]Fun Fact: Straight teeth help an individual to effectively bite, chew and speak. Straight teeth contribute to healthy teeth and gums. Properly aligned teeth and jaws may alleviate or prevent physical health problems. Teeth that work better also tend to look better. An attractive smile is a pleasant “side effect” of orthodontic treatment. – According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO)[/box]

Wearing Braces as an Adult?

I am already dealing with a lot of self esteem issues right now. I’m concentrating so much on my weight loss I’m even more sensitive to how I look: stretch marks, double chin, acne, and even my crooked front tooth mock me as I look in the mirror or at a photo.

How could I stand seeing myself in braces?! An adult in braces! I didn’t know if my confidence could take one more blow.

Then I found my answer: Invisalign!!

[box style=”rounded” border=”full”]Fun Fact: One in five orthodontic patients is an adult[/box]

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is an alternative to the old fashion metal braces of our childhood. Nearly invisible, removable plastic trays that straighten your teeth. Who could not want this over the alternative? I’m not only excited about the fact that I wouldn’t have to stare at metal teeth photos for a year, but that I would be able to take the “aligner” out and be able to brush and floss my teeth like normal.

Some other features I’m excited about are:

Not having limited food options or having “forbidden” food
No emergency dental appointments
Less appointments and time sitting in the chair (only every 6 weeks)

With my surgery coming up I am not going to need to be limited any more on my food and I will definitely not have time for emergency dentist appointments! I’m already struggling with getting my appointments scheduled, having a set 6 week visit with the dentist would be way better than the alternative with metal braces. Plus they are supposed to be really quick appointments!

[box style=”rounded” border=”full”]Fun Fact: The total treatment time with Invisalign averages between nine and 15 months and the average number of aligners worn during treatment is between 18 and 30[/box]

I Wish I was Young Again

If I had had the option of Invisalign like teens have now I would have argued with my childhood dentist and jumped on the chance to get my teeth straightened. I have always been conscious of those crooked smiles, but they weren’t that bad enough to make me want metal braces.

I love that Invisalign gives kids the option of getting straight teeth with confidence, comfort, and safety.

As a mom of a very active young boy, who I’m sure will be a very active teen. I can only imagine him playing sports and getting hit or banged with those metal wires in his mouth. I will be looking into Invisalign for him when the time comes. If you have a teen I would definitely look into this option for your kids. They even have a product that is specifically created for teens: Invisalign Teen!

[box style=”rounded” border=”full”]Fun Fact: 78 percent of mothers who had braces as a child believe braces are one of the best investments their parents made for them[/box]

To Be Continued?

As I’m already sharing my fun adventure of getting healthier through Weight Loss Surgery I may also share more about having healthier teeth! LOL Or at least share with you as my teeth get straighter! Wouldn’t you love it if I showed you a video of my Invisalign aligner?!

Did you have braces as a teen? Do you wish Invisalign was an option for you? If you didn’t have braces, do you think if you were offered to have Invisilign as a teen you would have tried it?

[box]I was compensated for this post by Invisalign. Opinions are my own.[/box]

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Project 52: Don’t be afraid to edit

As I had mentioned before I’m going to be focusing a little more about me besides my photos for Project 52. This weeks photo is of my most current nail polish masterpiece. Well it’s not really a masterpiece, but I’m working on it.

I decided this month to try painting my nails in the evening while TJ and I sit and watch TV. I’m a terrible night snacker and I decided to try a new hobby to break this habit. I figure you barely want to move when you have wet nails not alone stick your hand into a snack bag.

Today I decided to also talk about editing your photos a little bit. I have terrible cuticles (I’m hoping keeping my nails painted will help me with another bad habit of biting my cuticles). I debated for a couple days if I want to share a photo of my nails, but I decided this may be a great way to show how you can share photos even if they are not perfect. I took the photo and took the time to edit my cuticles so that I felt comfortable to share my photo.

If you are not taking self portraits because you have a pimple or bad skin, if you feel like you just don’t look good in your photos, then learn how to do some tweaking and editing. If this is what you need to do to feel comfortable to share your photos then feel free. Sometime I hope you will learn to embrace your imperfections, but photos that are edited are better than no photos!

Join Project 52: Self Portraits

Lynda (from Daily Window) and I are not going to be putting up the linky anymore, but still want to invite you to participate in this project with us. I hope you will join us!

If you want to use the Project 52 badge feel free and grab it and use it on your post. You don’t have to do every week with us you can post just once even and you don’t have to follow the weekly theme either. We just hope that you will join us for some fun.

This is the challenge take a photo of yourself!

Do you edit your pictures to hide imperfections? Or do you think that if you edited your photos more you might be more likely to take more photos of yourself?

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Project 52: More than Pictures

As I have gone through this project, I have learned so much more about myself than just a photo shows. I’ve learned more about sharing myself. And today I’m going to take a break from what I normally write about on my blog and on this project and share a part of me you don’t see in my photos. What I right about may offend you or turn you off of my sight, but this is part of me and I think I would rather you see the whole me and love me as I am.

John 10:10

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose to to give them a rich and satisfying life. – John 10:10 NLT

As I sat in church and listened to the words my mind wondered to a past month of feeling of sadness for those I’ve met who have been hurt. And I wrote this:

My heart breaks for those I have met where these thieves, these false prophets. Their hearts have been hurt in the name of Christ but they do not even realize that they have been deceived. They did not meet the true God, they were introduced to a god that has been created by a human, a human that has created a god with human imperfection of hate, selfishness, and more. And this imperfect god destroys lives.

“There is one thing to know God and then there is to experience God.” – Joel Dombrow

I’m sure you’ve read this 1 Corinthians 13 many times at weddings, in marriage books and from your own Bible. But this verse is talking about a perfect love, not a husband and wife love, but God’s love. Replace Love with God in this verse and you will slowly see the beauty of His love.

Join Project 52: Self Portraits

Lynda (from Daily Window) and I are not going to be putting up the linky anymore, but still want to invite you to participate in this project with us. I hope you will join us!

This is the challenge take a photo of yourself!

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Project 52: Hand over the Camera

Last week Zane spied my camera and asked, “Can I take a picture of you Mommy?” I smiled, we had his first picture shoot a month or so ago and he did pretty good, though most pictures had a finger in them.

You may be afraid to hand over your camera to your toddler, but I just make sure to be a arms length away and make sure he knows he has to have the strap around his neck. You may also be concerned with the photos that result, even if it is your husband or a friend who has your camera.

Just make sure you know your best side, what way to stand, try and make sure you are looking up at the camera if possible. If you are working with a child this last one might be hard. I sat on the ground so Zane could get good angled photos of me.

Don’t be surprised if the new photographer gets a few bad shots, that is one of the great things about digital photography. Tell them to keep taking pictures and encourage lots of photos. They will get a few keepers!

[flickr-gallery mode=”tag” tags=”photosbyzane” tag_mode=”all”]

Join Project 52: Self Portraits

Lynda (from Daily Window) and I are not going to be putting up the linky anymore, but still want to invite you to participate in this project with us. I hope you will join us!

This is the challenge take a photo of yourself!

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Project 52: June Weigh In

If you have been following along on Pepper Scraps you know that I’m on a long journey towards losing weight. I’ve lost 33lbs since January and 20+ lbs since March. This is my progress in pictures.

Join Project 52: Self Portraits

Lynda (from Daily Window) and I are not going to be putting up the linky anymore, but still want to invite you to participate in this project with us. I hope you will join us!

This is the challenge take a photo of yourself!

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Project 52: Bloggy Boot Camp Seattle

This weekend I drove up to Seattle by myself for the first time for Bloggy Boot Camp. It was awesome! I had the most amazing hotel that I got to stay at and I got a photo of myself there as I was walking along their wooded paths.

Join Project 52: Self Portraits

Lynda (from Daily Window) and I are not going to be putting up the linky anymore, but still want to invite you to participate in this project with us. I hope you will join us!

This is the challenge take a photo of yourself!

Hi I am Pepper, yep that’s my real name, it’s on my birth certificate. I’m an old school blogger going back to her roots. In 1999 I wrote out my feelings and shared my silly random thoughts.

Well I’m back! This is me sharing the real me, hoping that it shows you that hey you aren’t alone in those weird, funny, hard moments in life. I’m putting the pieces of life back together after divorce, emotional abuse and starting out on a new adventure. Want to join me?

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