Disclosure:  This is an unsponsored post, all opinions expressed are my own.  This article contains an affiliate link, meaning if you choose to click it and use Smiledirect.com we earn a commission.  

We all have our insecurities.  Something that bothers us and we wish we could change.  Mine started when I was in my late teens.  My wisdom teeth came in and despite having had braces for a long time, one of my teeth overlapped the others.  It started fairly small, and I didn’t mind it too much, I said it gave me character.  I even kind of enjoyed being different from every0ne else who had perfect teeth.

What I didn’t know was that over time your teeth try to push forward, so over time the overlap became worse.  When little (E) was old enough to notice, she would ask me when my wiggly tooth was going to fall out (she was about 5).  Although the question was innocent, I started to dislike it, but it wasn’t horrid.

Fast forward to this year.  We took a lot of family photos together as we enjoyed each other’s company during lockdown.  It really started looking bad.  I was embarrassed and didn’t want to smile with my teeth.

When I was at my dentist appointment, I asked about having it fixed, stating that it was getting difficult to keep clean (as it was) and that it was bothering me.  This is when I found out that your teeth keep moving as you age.  My dentist recommended an orthodontist (the same one my kids go to), and I went thinking that mine couldn’t possibly be that bad, and I had insurance, so just maybe it wouldn’t be so expensive and I could fix it.

Well, I was wrong.  It would cost the same amount to fix my teeth as I was paying for my two kids.  I am not saying that the work isn’t worth it, but I just couldn’t justify spending that kind of money on myself.  I am 42, married almost 20 years, I have other things to spend that money on.

So I started researching other options.  I landed on Smile Direct.  It’s a mail order system much like Invisalign.  You don’t go see an orthodontist, but you have access to someone through the app and also via email if needed.  So I priced it out.  It was affordable enough and guaranteed so I thought I’d give it a try.

I can see how if you aren’t dedicated to the change it could be difficult.  There’s no one holding you accountable and praising or condemning your progress.  I am a pretty self motivated person though, so it worked for me.

The app and the bags that came tell you when you need to change the set you are on.  There are clear directions, and if they don’t fit well, there’s a file to keep the aligners from cutting your mouth (yes I used that).  It also comes with some whitening solution to use.  I decided to use mine at the end as a reward for completing it. That was January.

I ended my program on 4/28 and am extremely pleased.   My teeth are not PERFECT, but they are SO MUCH IMPROVED.  I am super pleased with the progress.  I thought I would share with all of you so that you can see where I started, and where I am now.  That there is a program out there you can use if you, like me have no problem spending the money on your kids, but fee super guilty doing it for yourself.  I am happy that its still guaranteed as long as I keep up with my retainers (two days in I am good, LOL).  I will let you know how that goes, of course, I have been staring at my teeth so long at this point, that I can’t wait for them to be whiter.

Happy to answer questions if you have any, and in the meantime here is the link if you want to check it out:  shttps://fbuy.io/smileus/fbmeganjohnston3