First October run and pearly whites

What is the connection, you ask?

Well... I was doing my 6 mile easy run this morning (Happy October 1st!) and since it was hard to get started so early, I passed the time by counting all my teeth while running up hills.  Whatever works, right?

I'm fortunate to have received many compliments over the years on my teeth-- their straightness and whiteness.  Thanks to genetics!  I was not so lucky in the cavity department, unlike my sister the candy lover who probably got her first filling in her 30's while mine was at the age of 8.  When I first heard about Invisalign on a television commercial, I thought about how they were soooo much better than those braces with the rubber bands I see (and still see) on my friends.  An overbite is enough to make people stare-- I can't imagine having hunks of metal right on top of that.  I'm sure it gets old fast!

As you know from earlier posts, I work with high school kids as a school psychologist.  One of my students has a severe overbite, but unfortunately does not have the means to get braces.  My training taught me that one of the top factors for academic success and mental health is-- self-confidence.  This student is on the honor roll, has a wonderful friendly personality, and is a hard worker.  It would be so wonderful if she could feel less self-conscious by having her teeth fixed.  This student is Deaf, and communication with her family, teachers, and peers requires face-to-face contact due to using sign language, putting the focus right on her overbite.  The fact that she uses a visual language makes it harder to cover up-- not that she should cover up anything since she still has a beautiful smile!!

So many aspects of Invisalign would be great for her-- the opportunity for up to 6 replacements in case one goes missing in the cafeteria or in her backpack; the blue dot that indicates when it's time to change aligners since she's so busy with school, homework, and extracurricular activities and may lose track without that reminder.

This is definitely one of the more emotional aspects of my career-- caring for these students and wanting them to have every chance possible to be healthy, confident, successful, and happy!