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Almost half a year on braces.
Having a perfect smile is the dream of everyone.
“No pain no gain”, I always say to myself.
With that constantly in my mind, I have absolutely no regrets on my decision to put on braces.
Here’s how my teeth looked like before braces treatment.
Now here’s my progress after all these months.
My first reaction was, “Wow.” I knew that my teeth would get straighter, however, it is still hard to believe that it is actually possible to move teeth with wires, but I’ve experienced it, though the movement of the teeth is unnoticeable while in the progress.
I’ve suffered ulcers, cuts, and general discomfort, but all this progress is worth it. The pain isn’t that bad when you get used to it too. Anyway, I guess I’m getting more pain because I installed my braces just a few weeks before my enlistment date, and trust me, it isn’t comfortable ‘chiong sua-ing’ with metal wires and ceramic brackets in your mouth. However, BMT days are over, I’m going to embrace my unit with open arms.
Some more pictures, before and after:
The bottom row of my teeth
My teeth from the side
If you observe carefully, there is a gap on the top left, where one of my premolars are extracted, to make way for the canine tooth that’s coming down. Reason why the canine tooth was not plucked out instead, according to Dr. Poon, was because a set of teeth without canine teeth will look weird. Try picturing that!
Questions & Answers:
Q: How much did you get your braces installed for?
A: It varies, I believe because of the skills and the experience of the orthodontist. Mine costs $5.8k
Q: When will your braces be removed?
A: The treatment typically lasts for about 2 years, my friend had hers removed after 1.5 years.
Q: How many teeth did you extract prior to the installation?
A: I had two separate extractions for two teeth, both are premolars. The extraction is relatively painless.
Q: How bad is the pain, or discomfort in general?
A: I’m way past the ‘painful’ stage. Although I have to admit that for the first month or so, it is painful. Eating is the greatest challenge. After eating, remnants of food will get stuck in between the braces. It is irritating in the beginning, but if you notice, food gets stuck in almost the same places after every meal. From then on, you can use your toothbrush to brush harder at these places to remove the remnants of food. During the first month, other than eating, any other thing you do is bearable.
Q: Do you speak differently after installing braces?
A: Yes I do. Some words ending with “es” or “ces” or “th” is relatively hard to pronounce at first. You might experience friends imitating the way you speak, but just laugh it off, it is actually quite funny when I mispronounce my words too. It is inevitable.
Q: How do you maintain your teeth after installing braces?
A: You need to be hardworking in a way to maintain good hygiene while having braces on. After every meal, get a brush to brush your teeth. It doesn’t matter you don’t use toothpaste, although it would be better to do so. Also, not forgetting brushing every morning and night, and flossing your teeth once a day. Good hygiene is important, especially with braces on.
Q: I can hardly notice that you have braces on! Why is that so?
A: I chose ceramic braces. Ceramic brackets are made from tooth coloured composite thus they are almost the same colour as your teeth, rendering it is less noticeable than traditional metal/coloured braces. However, ceramic braces are fragile. It breaks easily because ceramic is a brittle material, thus not as strong as metal brackets.
Note the picture below, my braces are almost invisible.
I hoped I’ve cleared most of your doubts.
Please put your questions into my comment box at the top of this post.
If you’d like to approach my orthodontist directly, please visit Dr. Poon at:
NeuGlow Dental
111 Somerset Road, #02-02
Singapore 238164
Tel: +65 6732 2237
Fax: +65 6735 3498
Re-enacting.
Hung out with Ryan, Jianle, Kadson, and Ying yesterday! It was long since we last met up.
Our objective: Authentic Korean Food!
Thanks to Jianle, who found and reserved a table for us at a restaurant at Novena!
While waiting for the clock to strike 7pm, before we can go have our dinner…
Went to this bubble tea house at Novena Square called Chatime.
Didn’t waste any time! Decided on what to order straight away:
Got my regular sized Matcha Red Bean Smoothie for S$4.
I think it’s a little overpriced, however after taking a mouthful from the cup, I decided that it wasn’t.
It was the best smoothie I’ve ever tasted! You guys should try it some time!
Chatime
#01-07 Novena Square
Went to SOL Market right after that, and got lots of Korean instant noodles, snacks, and…
Vita 500! (an energy drink)
Finally got my Vita 500 with YoonA on it!
(Omg I’m such a fanboy.)
Random: The duo having a mini hula hoop competition at Toys R Us.
Went to Your Woul at 7pm sharp, we were all excited to relive the days we had in Seoul, eating tasty & spicy korean foods!
Your Woul Korean Restaurant
165 Thomson Road, Goldhill Centre, S(307618)
Tel: +65 6251 0123
The menu:
Service staff there were mostly authentic Koreans! The service staff that served us was a Korean girl who’ve been residing in Singapore for the last 13 years. Very friendly too! She advised us on what to order, because the she was afraid that we ordered too much (which we did).
The food we ordered took about 10-15mins to arrive.
The “chapalang” steamboat. I forgot what this was called, but inside it was a variety, from maggie mee to hot dogs to beef slices! YUM!
But it was slightly spicy thou. I’m not a “spicy food” person.
KIMCHI PANCAKE! My No. 1 favourite. 
Another “chapalang” dish, a mixture of kimchi, spicy rice sausage(I’m not sure if that’s the correct name), and meat.
Time to eat!
(from left: Kadson, Ying, Me)
Jian le’s spastic face while pouring Soju for Ryan. Haha! The Soju was… 
Great tasting ginger tea after the meal. I think it was provided because I don’t remember ordering it.
Group photo!
Went to U.d.d.e.r.s afterwards..
There’s a huge blackboard to vote for flavours that you like! Cool!
I’m sorry but I’m going to end of this post with me and Jianle licking our cone. Haha!
CIAOOO
Twisted, local horror/comedy directed by Chai Yee Wei.
Went to the private screening of the latest Singaporean horror/comedy movie, Twisted.
It is directed by local director, Chai Yee Wei,
starring:
Mark Lee, Joey Leong, Randall Tan, Vincent Tee, Zhu Mi Mi, Linda Liao, Alvin Wong, Brandon Yuen, Calvin Soh, Candy Lim, Tracy Lee, Josh Lai.
When I reached Lido, the stars just ended their meet&greet session, thus I could only get a picture of this banner! 
While sitting inside, the stars showed up live in front of the movie screen!
Zhu MiMi and Mark Lee were very funny!
The show started right after the stars left the room, felt like they went behind the screen and started acting. Haha!
Synopsis:
The movie consists of three different stories with fates intertwined and how their paths clash. The first is about a drug dealer who raped a young girl, second story is about a pair of swindlers who wants to reform and begin again, and finally four cabin crews whose lives were ruined overnight after excessive drug use.
If you liked the other Singaporean horror/comedy shows like “Where Got Ghost?” (吓到笑) and “Men in White” (鬼啊鬼啊) , you would definitely like this one too!
My favourite character is Linda Liao.
She is so pretty! *jaw drop*
She’s pretty right?
SHE IS!
Catch her as a cabin crew in the third story in the movie!
****
I went with Michelle as a date. 
Poor thing, look at her sun burnt body, like lobster. HAHA.
Went to TCC for dinner afterwards!
The pasta was great! Recommendation by a staff there, *ahem* Mich.
My Saturday ended great, thanks to Michelle for the company.
POP LOH!
POP LOH!! *throws confetti*
The real thing’s just going to begin.
Comd SAF BMTC wishes you all the best in your future posting.
Your Posting Order is listed below:
1. You are posted to SAF MP TS
2. Your vocation is MP
3. Your are to report to: Mowbray Camp, Guard Room, 10 Mowbray Road (off Choa Chu Kang Way), S(688255)
Reporting Date/Time: 11/07/2011 at 0800 hrs
MP! Military Police.
I don’t know what to expect!
My 4 months of BMT was a great experience. I feel changed, feel different now, compared to what I was 4 months back.
All thanks to my commanders, and my beloved platoon mates.
Countless hours of harsh training, many arguments, some tears, and much enjoyment were what we went through for the past 4 months.
I thank them for everything.
****
Organised a BBQ for my platoon, and it all went well!
Drank, and Nicholas got wasted.
Epic fail.
Proven:
JC Kids love removing clothing from poor, defenceless victims.
Verdict:
They ALWAYS SUCCEED.
Bloody rapists!
Just love them. These camwhores.. Their lust for the camera is… not to be put into words.
Private Shawn,
Signing off.
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