I imagine I am vein, having braces put on my teeth, at my age. Oh, well!
When I arrived home it was late afternoon. My whole mouth started to ache. I could feel the wires, from the braces, pushing against the inside of my mouth. I hated the braces!
That night was hell. The thoughts going through my head were consistent - I was stupid to have had this done! I decided to return to the dentist and have these things ripped off. I did not need this pain.
I went to the dentist and told him the pain was more than I wanted to deal with. He looked at me and smiled (I could imagine the thoughts inside his head). He instructed me to get some gum.
I thought this a simple enough solution. I questioned why had had not told me initially that gum would help. I immediately stopped by a little store and bought a supply of gum. I left the store and popped a piece in my mouth. I chewed until the gum softened. I chewed some more. However, the only thing happening was that the gum was sticking to the newly installed braces. This, to me, was not a solution.
The next day the office was open - I returned. I complained again. The dentist asked me if I bought some G.U.M. I told him about my experience. He and one of his assistants starting laughing. He then explained that I should buy G.U.M. (a waxy like substance made for brace-wearers). He showed me the holder and what it looks like.
I left his office and headed for the place he told me I should go to in order to buy this product. After the purchase, I headed for the car, immediately opened the plastic box, and took a pinchful of the G.U.M. Again I started chewing it as I had chewed the gum. Again, it did not help. I did not wait another day. I headed back to the dental office. I explained my experience to the dentist. He and his assistant once again started laughing.
The dentist then explained that you take the G.U.M. and shape it onto the area that hurts and leave it there. In this way the wires, and so forth will not poke into your gums.
Why did not he explain all of this to me during my first visit? Hmmm, maybe he gave the gringo more credit than I deserved - assuming I knew all of this.
