WW: Braces {Linky}

The littlest man in our house got braces last Thursday. He had no choice. There was not enough room in his mouth, for his adult teeth.

He had to get some baby teeth out, to make room for big teeth to come in. He had a space maintainer.

This Thursday he got braces. 

I had braces, for too long really. I just know because my roots are small. They say if your roots are small you've had them for too long. 

I remember the pain. Isaak hasn't complained too much. 

He did complain when a ball from Goalball hit his mouth. The poor boy started bleeding. For a moment I thought we'd need to go back to the Orthodontist, but he was ok. 

He sure looks like a pre teen with them in!

In case you're wondering he lives in this coat. He has a closest full of shirts, and covers them all up with this coat. Ha!

He is still eating soft food for the most part. I'm sick of oatmeal, applesauce, smoothies, soups, yogurt and so on. I'm not even eating all those things when he eats them. I hope he gets used to them soon enough. 

Here he is eating a Goodrich Malt. A few years ago he said, "Can we get those mulches?" I had trouble understanding what he was talking about. When he said, "Goodrich Mulches" I knew he meant "Malt". I still call them "Mulches". He goes right along with it! Ha! 

Did you have braces when you were a kid? 

Isaak's Getting Braces Soon

In October Isaak gets braces. Ekk!

I did what the Orthodontist said, and got him a toothbrush that brushed in circles. Then I turned around and did what I thought was logical, and got him a water pick to review.

I did have to wait a bit, for it to come in the mail. It wasn't like Amazon's 2 day shipping. It did come. We weren't in a hurry, for it, so yay.

I've never used one. At first I was thinking it needed batteries. No it doesn't need batteries!

You just take the bottom off, and fill it with water until it hits the Max line. It squirts much like a spray bottle does.

Uses:

Braces

Food Trap

If Teeth are Close to Each Other

Sensitive Gums

If You Don't Like Flossing

I bleed when flossing, and it's not because I don't ever floss. It's from being on Aspirin. I may have to get my own Water Pick! It looks handy! 

The only things I could see being a problem is that if you don't use it a lot it, you may have to change the water out each time you use it. Just like some spray bottles stop working, this could to. Right now it works great!

Where to Get it:

You can pick one up here: https://madebeats.com/product/dental-flusher-eater-powered-water-jet-cleaning-tooth-pick-floss-air-teeth-massager/ for $43. Usually they are $49.

Have you used a water pick before?

Disclaimer: I got this for free, or a discounted price in order to help with this review. All opinions are my own. 

Explaining to Kids Why Dental Health Is Paramount

You have to do more than just tell children that it is important to brush their teeth. Early in childhood, kids are inundated with videos, music, and even puppet shows that are meant to explain how to properly rinse, floss and brush their teeth. Check best-dentalassistantschools.com to learn about the schools that your children’s dentist and dental hygienists attended. Little kids might need to see a giant tooth and toothbrush dancing around to make brushing fun, but they also have to see why it is critical for them to take care of their mouths over a lifetime.

We started washing our kid's gums with a damp baby washcloth. As they got teeth, we brushed them once a day and let them brush them the once a day. When they got old enough to understand a timer, we set it for them to brush their own teeth. The light up toothbrushes work great for timing kids as well. Our kids only hated getting their teeth brushed when they were sick, or cutting teeth. Otherwise they get glowing reports at the dentist office.

People Only Get Two Sets of Teeth

So, your children should get a kick out of knowing that everyone has a set of baby teeth, and eventually, a full set of adult teeth. They may even giggle a bit when they find out that there’s a tooth fairy who goes around and leaves money to children who leave said baby teeth under a pillow. With that said, kids also need to know that their adult teeth won’t be replaced naturally if they fall out due to neglect or poor hygiene. Don’t scare your children, but do tell them the truth about childhood oral hygiene. Your kids’ adult teeth are being formed under their gums years before they make their first appearance. Ensure that your kids are getting the best foundation available by teaching them to cherish both sets of teeth.

Healthy Teeth Support Strong Bodies

If your children go to the pediatric dentist twice a year and get glowing reports, their overall health will be better. Kids who don’t go to the dentist regularly also don’t normally go to the doctor as they should. These poor children end up having their oral hygiene neglected just as much as their physical wellbeing and development. Tell your kids that they should care about themselves, inside and out, by brushing their teeth twice a day.

Helping Your Children to Avoid Common Dental Problems

Kids can get more cavities during childhood than adulthood simply because they are still learning how to prioritize oral hygiene in their schedules. In addition, kids also tend to eat a lot more candy and sugar than adults. Children shouldn’t be forbidden from eating sweets or lectured every time they forget to floss. Tell them that proper oral hygiene will aid them in keeping their teeth healthier. In turn, they won’t need fillings or have to sit through uncomfortable root canals. When children know the advantages and disadvantages of following a particular behavior, they generally make the right choice on their own.

When explained in an approachable manner, kids really have a great time caring for their teeth in the morning and at night. Let them incorporate good oral hygiene into their daily routine at an early age, and soon they might be reminding you to use mouthwash and floss. Your children can have bright smiles as well as bright futures by explaining the steps they need to take to practice proper oral hygiene.

Disclaimer: This is a guest post with content added from me.

Dentist

I know some people that absolutely HATE going to the Dentist. I don't hate it, but it's not a wonderful feeling having people pick at your teeth either. I wouldn't put it up there with going to a party.

My oldest sister used to cry, and freak out every trip to the Dentist. I'm thinking that it was possibly because our Dentist was our Orthodontist too. She had to have a ton of work done to her teeth. Any time a kid has a lot of pain associated with something they aren't going to like it.

Our boys have always enjoyed going to the Dentist. In fact at the old office Mica asked if he could have his birthday party there. Why? Because they had a HUGE fish tank in the lobby that he liked. It was good that they started the boy's off with showing them the tools instead of them going right in to do their thing.

Remember back in the 70s where there were ads that mentioned that fluoride is important to have in toothpaste? Well I'm here to report that I haven't been using fluoride for the last 5 or so years. Guess what? I haven't gotten a single cavity. I do have to say that cavities do run in genetics. My poor older sister is adopted, and got a lot of cavities growing up.

I use charcoal toothpaste. It's odd brushing with black toothpaste. I've tried switching back, and normal run-in-the-mill toothpaste tastes fake to me now. Charcoal toothpaste makes my mouth feel clean all day.

It would be kind of like having REAL Maple Syrup and going to Mrs. Butterworth's. I grew up with real syrup. When I go out to eat I know when syrup is fake.

I've only have 5 cavities in my life, and they were all at the same time. I skipped going to the Dentist when I was in grad school. A bad choice on my part!

Do you mind going to the Dentist? Have you had a lot of cavities in the past? 

Eco-Dental Floss Review

I'm always on the hunt for dental floss. We have one just about everywhere. When I need it, it seems I can never find it. I recently got Eco-Dental Floss in Mint flavor to review.

It's made by woobamboo. This isn't the first product I've gotten from them. I assure you it won't be the last. I love their products!

The only problem I had with this floss was getting it threaded back out where I could use it. It was stuck inside. I was afraid I'd rip the whole package apart to get to it. Thankfully I didn't.

With floss I have a few teeth that are close together. Not all floss works on them. This one worked perfectly.

The flavor: The Minty flavor made my mouth feel so fresh.

About Eco-Dental Floss:

It's made with natural, biodegradable silk. I love that it breaks down in the landfill. 

It's coated with a natural wax. 

The packaging is made with a plant-based plastic, so it too will break down. 

They use soy based ink. 

It's dentist approved, and mother nature recommended.

It's $5.95, and on Amazon Prime, so shipping is free if you are a member.  

It's Mine:

Most of the time I share with my family, but this Eco-Dental Floss is staying with me at work. 

Disclaimer: I got this product for free in exchange for an honest review. 

Giving Back

My husband Travis works in a dental lab. One day last week an dentist that works with low income families came into the lab.

The owners to his lab were gone in Arizona, so it was the owner's daughter and Travis that talked with the dentist.
 
Apparently the dentist had a teacher that came in to talk to him. The teacher paid for one of her students to get some front teeth. The child's teeth were all mangled up. All throughout his childhood the kid got bullied for his teeth.

The teacher knew that if his teeth were fixed much of the bully behavior would stop.

Travis and his other co-worker agreed to take on the case. They wanted to get it done as soon as possible.

I was thinking the whole time, Why didn't this kid's family just go to Boy's Town Research Clinic? They are a nonprofit organization that works with kids with these types of problems all the time. I know because we had to go there with Mica when he was itty bitty. Thankfully Mica is fine. I'm assuming this little boy's family didn't go there because they were low income, and didn't know about Boy's Town Research Clinic. Sometimes people are too proud to get help also.

The boy got his teeth. Everyone in the dentist office cried. The lab Travis worked at were praised. For the first time in a long time the little boy smiled.

This all started with a teacher that cared. It's amazing how much teachers give at times.

Dental Tartar Scraper and Remover Set Review

I have a food trap in the back of my mouth. Sometimes I'll floss and floss, and I still can't get certain foods out of there. It doesn't happen all the time, but it's annoying when it does.

Recently I got a 3 piece stainless steel Dental Tartar Scraper and Remover Set to review. I know these tools will help get food out of my back teeth!

This set includes: 

• 1 Dental Pick
• 1 Scaling instrument
• 1 Dental Mouth Mirror 

It's sold by Majestic Bombay. This set is a professional dental set made up of different heads. It's ideal for dental hygiene. A great kit, made from surgical grade stainless steel. Very well balanced. The quality of these surgical grade instruments means they will last a long time.

Cost:

• The set isn't expensive. It's $35.
•  The set is marked down to $14.99. I think it's worth the cost. 

I can scrape away at my teeth in the comfort of my own home. I'll do this when I get food caught, between dental visits, and before going to the dentist. There's something about someone else scraping away at my teeth that I just don't care for. I'd rather do it on my own time. 

I can get tarter off my teeth, so no cavities occur. Thankfully I've only had 3 cavities in my whole life. That was all in one visit! I waited a few years to go to the dentist when I was in grad school. Since I've been clean of cavities. YAY These tools will help to! Preventative care is a must.

Ways I take care of my teeth:

• Brush
• Floss
• Mouth Wash
• Scrape

What's something you do to take care of your teeth?

 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for a discounted price. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Random Tid Bits

1. Isaak just can't get enough of basket ball lately. We really should sign him up for the sport because he likes it a lot.
   
   
   


2. Isaak's getting 3 teeth pulled right about now (I'm writing this ahead of time). His mouth is a crowded mess. He's excited because he gets money from the Tooth Fairy. I'm sure he won't be so excited when he has the numb feeling, and the pain afterwards.
   
   
   


3. I got my first back to school catalog in the mail this week. It was from Lakeshore Learning Store. I think events and holidays are celebrated earlier and earlier every year. Truth be told - the boy's school doesn't get their back to school list until a week before school starts. I get the stuff, then they are sent home with things they don't need. What's the point of a list then? 


4. We ran into a fourth grade teacher at Barnes and Noble. She said, "Hey Mica! I really hope I get you as a student!" She's a loud, fun lady. I said, "I'd love for Mica to have you. I also like the other teacher to. There are great 4th grade teachers at the school! A kid can't go wrong in 4th grade with the teacher they get." She is great! The other teacher is a male. He's the only male teacher at the school. I wish there were more male teachers. Diversity is nice.
    
   We're hoping Isaak stays on the trend of getting the opposite teacher than Mica had. We didn't care for Mica's 2nd grade teacher. She didn't push Mica enough. She'd tell the kids they were to have a spelling test on a certain day, and it would never happen. When we talked to her about our frustrations at conferences she just said, "The kids are just so good, we keep having parties." Ummm HELLO it's not Pump it Up. It's school. A place to learn. Some fun is great. She was too party happy. Isaak needs to be pushed. I hope he gets the other teacher. 


5. The boys had a lock-in at the library a few weeks ago. We got called twice about Isaak. His chest hurt from running around. He looked white. I told them to call me back if he was still like that after 15 minutes. Then we were called because he wanted to go home. Apparently an older kid had kids in a pretend jail. He wouldn't let Isaak out. Isaak was in tears. I thought maybe he was over reacting. He tends to do that. The Librarian was apologetic. She said, "I understand how he's upset. We just can't be in all the spots in the library at all times. Isaak's a good kid!" I understood. It was late, and Isaak was tired. I told Isaak what to do if something like that happens again. He needs to A) Go find a Librarian. B) Tell them he has to go to the bathroom to get out of the situation. C) Just leave the situation. I felt bad that he had that experience. All the other boys (Mica, my nephew's Evan and Elijah) had fun.

Random Tid Bits

1. When I was in college I had figure drawing for 4 hours one year. I had a figure drawing class where we drew nudes, and had an anatomy class when we again drew nudes. At one point in my college life I drew a pregnant lady, which was super cool - except for the fact that she couldn't hold poses very long. Seeing that baby move was really sweet.
   
   At the school I work at we don't have live models. It's more of a techy school. Graphic designers and fine artists tend to have a line drawn between them somehow. The line is getting thinner, but it's still there. I'm still friends with people that draw nudes. My husband liked a nude drawing on FB, and one of our common friends defriended him. Whatever.
   
   To me nude drawings/sculptures are not sexual. Just like a photo of a woman breastfeeding isn't sexual. Are Alyssa Milano's breastfeeding selfies more offensive than Kim Kardashian's big backside?  Alyssa Milano got slammed for her selfies, and Kim Kardashian's selfies were shared all over the net.
   
   Someone my husband and I went to school with was on a show called Work of Art: The Next Great Artist. It was on Brovo I believe. She was the runner up - came in 2nd place I think. I never watched the show to the end. I know she wasn't far behind.
   
   Peregrine Honig (the girl we went to school with) recently had a 3D print done of her nude. Hey she's a pretty girl, why not? Anyhow...she posted it. Of course social media flipped out, and took her page down.
   
   What's an artist to do? Peregrine contacted Huffington Post, and now her work is more out there than before. It's one of those I laugh in the face of social media kind of moments. Did it surprise me that social media banned her image? Hell no. But...I had to chuckle because she won.
   
   For years artists looked at nudes to draw. It was the best way to learn how to draw. I'm sure the Statue of David wasn't banned in it's day. If I took my kids to an art museum I wouldn't hide their eyes from anything. They know what art is. They know that it's not ok for people to take nude shots of kids, or touch them. There's a line there to. A thick bold line. I actually reported a video that had nude kids in it. What are your thoughts on this? What is art? What's not art?
   
   I'm just putting this up here because it's soooo interesting!
   
   
   
   


2. I have 1 student that thinks her art rocks. It's C level. It's hard when people think they are better than what they really are. If you compare art pieces, you can see a difference between an A and a C. Her work isn't A level for sure. I show the students what I want, and what I don't want to see before we even begin an assignment. I also top that off with a handout. Then I critique in the middle of an assignment.  There should be no guessing as to what I want, and what I don't want to see.


3. One of my students stopping showing up to class right after Halloween. The school has tried calling him. He's done this before. I wish he'd just drop if it's not what he wants to do.


4. My Dad AKA Grandpa saw yet another doctor about his heart. He's had problems with it for years. He had a heart ablation | cauterized years ago. His heart started acting all funky again. He will probably need surgery once again for them to do an ablation in a different spot. My Dad hates pill, so there you go. 


5. We got word at the boy's last dental appointment that Isaak will need to get some teeth taken out to make room for adult teeth. He may need permanent teeth taken out to. Dad is not happy about this. He works at a dental lab. He knows the importance of all those teeth. We'll see what happens.
   
   Here I thought Mica would need all the dental work. Mica was born with a cyst under his tongue. One side of his tongue didn't develop all the way. His tongue is still funky, but it's nothing to worry about. When he was 2 months we had to get an MRI of his face, and brain. We had to know if there was any other cysts on him. We paid $6 for the MRI images. I just had to have them. I'm odd like that.
   
   
   Proof that Mica had teeth hiding when he was 2 months old. I find them freaky, yet fascinating.

Another Tooth Bites the Dust

Last week Isaak came out of his bed  with a huge smile on his face and said, "Mom I lost another tooth!"

Now this is the 3rd tooth he's lost all in the same area.

Daddy cleaned up his bloody hands. He said, "Dude I don't think this one was all the way ready to come out. I wiggled it earlier, and it wasn't loose enough."

We think Isaak yanked, twisted and pulled all to get some quarters.

He looks like he was punched in the face. It makes me crack up.

Funnies of the Week

First off if you didn't check out Mica's kick butt birthday party, do so. I didn't spend a lot and they had a BLAST! Just look a few posts down. Things are getting repeated this weekend due to the fact that we have only had his friend birthday party and not the one with family yet. Another Panda Cake, another Water Balloon Piñata and more Slip N' Sliding on old movie posters. That will probably lead to more pictures.

Mica starts school this upcoming Monday. We have a Meet the Teacher night tonight. He got the teacher he wanted. His best friend got the other class. The friend's mom requested him getting the other class, Mica's class; after he said, "Oh I got the mean teacher." Now he's in Mica's class. I"m not sure how that happened, but YAY to the boys!

Isaak has a preschool meet up on Sunday. Things are picking up! That's not all bad.

Bedtime Funnies:

Isaak

He always mostly goes potty after we put him to bed. Oh trust me I try the whole, "Sit down and go potty!" bit before hand. He sits and says, "I don't have to go!"

By the way he's back in a diaper at night. I took my readers advice and put him back in one. Well he's been dry ever since I wrote that post awhile ago. I'm using diapers because I had some stashed away {Left Overs}. Now I hear, "Mommy my diaper fell off." Oh and, "Mommy my diaper is hurting me." No clue what that's about. I'm about to try the training pants once again. It wouldn't surprise me if I try them and woops he'll start wetting the bed once again. Right now I'm going though diapers that he doesn't wet in at all. I reuse them because I put underwear under them, so he feels the wet and so I don't have to throw the clean diaper away every time. Oh Mommy dilemmas!

Isaak: "Mommy I have to go pooooooop!" He sort of drags out that word, so that's why I put in extra o's. 
Me Annoyed: "You know where the bathroom is at, GO!" 
Isaak: "Mommy come wipe me!" 
Me: "Isaak we're going to have to teach you to wipe your own booty." 
Isaak: "I can't. I can't wipe my butt until I'm older than you and taller than you!" 
Me: Mommy Sigh!

So he'll need to be trained how to do that when he doesn't want to be trained. That's always fun, NOT!

Mica

Mica has all these new toys. He's been getting distracted to say the least.

Me: "Mica it's time to stop playing and get your homework done." His Kindergarten teacher gave them homework for over the summer.
Mica: "But I want to play!" 
Me: "Give me those. I'm keeping the Lego Batman, Spider-Man and Joker for ransom until your homework is done and your teeth are brushed."
Mica: "Ok my homework is done. Now I get my characters back."
Me: "Nope! It's brush your teeth time."
Mica Dramatically: "Oh but I want to play!" 
Me Watching: He starts to brush his teeth, then picks up a book to look at it. I grab the book away. He grabs his characters back. I grab them back. Then he starts to dance, while brushing his teeth. I shot him a Mommy glare.
Mica: "Alright my teeth are brushed. Now I get my characters back." 
Me: "Nope! You lost them for picking up the book, dancing and so on." 
Mica: "Oh man! I'm going to bed!"
Me: "Good!" :)

For the record my kids usually go to bed very easily. Every babysitter tells me they do. So far I've been happy about that. These are just two situations that have happened recently.

Mica Moose is Missing a Tooth!

Mica had two loose teeth in the front yesterday. Well one got so loose, and was being stubborn about coming out! He twisted and turned. That boy turned his tooth around and it still was attached. I couldn't watch. Most things do not gross me out, but this gave me the chills! He looked like a hillbilly; that hadn't gotten dental work done in a long time. Well it finally popped out!

Mica wrote a letter to his teacher telling her that he lost a tooth. I guess it goes on a calendar at school.

The tooth fairy came to visit. Mica sat right up in his bed while she walked into his room. If only she was really little, flew and we didn't have wooden floors that made noise as footsteps went through the house. She pretended to put clothes into his drawers. Then came back at a later time.

This time instead of putting his money right in his bank, he wanted it counted, he wanted to know what president was on the coins and what coins they were. Then he told me that he was saving it to buy toys. Hummm...this is a new one. Before he was just satisfied getting the money. Now he realizes that money can buy things.

He may have two teeth out before too long. Than adult teeth will grow in. I think kids look like they have buck teeth when adult teeth come in with baby teeth right beside them. Too funny!

Life is so Emotional Baby!

Tonight had it's highs and lows. Mica got invited to a friends house after school. Humm...it was to a girl's house, the one he has a crush on. They enjoy playing together. Daddy went along because they invited him to. They had fun.

What that meant for me? Well I had trouble in traffic. Then I got home after getting Isaak and had to make dinner ASAP. All while Isaak was yelling out, "Mommy help me!" I kept saying back, "Isaak if you want to go to the Y tonight, you have to let Mommy make dinner! Find something to do that doesn't require my help." So what does Isaak do? He brings his Thomas trains in the kitchen to play under my feet. :) Kids!

Daddy and Mica got home, we ate and got ready to go the the Y. Mica cried because he couldn't get his shoes tied.

We had fun at the Y. We played a racing game and then scooter soccer. Daddy left early to go figure drawing downtown. When it was time to leave I called both boys over to get a drink of water. Isaak ran over and Mica next. Mica went to grab the water bottle out of Isaak's hands because I called his name first. I snapped at Mica and Mica started crying for the second time tonight. Then we talked.

We came home and I told Isaak to go potty. Isaak was refusing and Mica started being bossy with Isaak. I told Mica that he is not Isaak's parent. Mica said, "I'm practicing to be a parent Mommy! I have to! I am getting adult teeth and need to practice being an adult!" It was kind of funny, but not. I'm saving that conversation for tomorrow.