The Parenting Weblog

Last week our regular dentist said it was time to get an orthodontist to take a look at our daughter's teeth. We thought we'd avoid this – last year they said her teeth looked great and she probably wouldn't need them. One year later, it is now probable the other way.

I knew I should have made a retainer out of aluminum foil and a parts of plastic soda bottle.

So we are headed to the orthodontist for a consult. The ever hyper parent, I've been researching local orthodontists – locations, certifications and prices. I found one that came highly recommended and has an office close by with great dentists.

I grew up wearing clunky metal things that seemed to grate the inside of my mouth and nearly tangle up anytime I kissed a boy with braces. I'd seen those Invisialign braces and I knew they made clear braces so I figured 20 years later that my daughter's experience would be better than mine.

Clear is just the start of them it seems! You can do the brackets in any color – even each individual bracket a different color. The image up top is one I was playing with randomly with this tool called Brace Painter. You can go all one color, even/odd, upper vs lower or just random with 30 colors.

I feel cheated! My heavy metal adolescence could have been a rose colored and blue tinted sensation.

Based on what these are going to cost, perhaps I should just make her get them in GREEN since that's what this is yanking out of our bank account.

• Is Your Child Suffering From Migraines?
• A break from doctors' offices, please
• Reach out and touch?
• Does your child's teddy bear need to gain weight?