A Fresh Breath of Hope

Chapter 3: "A New Accessory for My Teeth!"

Braces..
It's so surreal for Anne to have braces at this age. She never knew that she, in her 30s, can have braces. But then again, she realized that there's no age requirement for these kinds of things! Getting braces was truly a mixed bag of emotions for Anne. On the day she got them, Dr. Jensen was with her and showed her everything.
"Alright, Anne, you're officially on your way to a spacious smile," Dr. Jensen announced as he finished fitting the braces. "There you go! How does it feel?"
Anne experimented with a tentative smile, feeling the unfamiliar pressure of the brackets. "Like I've got a new accessory I never knew I wanted," she quipped, touching the braces lightly with her tongue.
Dr. Jensen laughed. "You'll get used to them quicker than you think. Just remember, every day with braces is a step closer to healthier teeth and better hygiene."
Anne did get used to her braces, and a lot faster than she thought she would. But just as she was getting used to this new change, something else happened.
During a routine check-up, Dr. Jensen's usual cheerful demeanor was replaced by a look of concern. Anne leaned forward, with concern mirroring Dr. Jensen's.
"Anne, your teeth are aligning beautifully... but I've noticed some signs of gum inflammation and pockets that are deeper than we'd like," he said, showing her the areas of concern with a small dental mirror.
Before anxiety could set in, Dr. Jensen quickly reassured her. "But don't worry, we have just the person to help you with this. Dr. Sofia Chang is an expert in all things gum-related."
When Anne walked into Dr. Chang's office, she immediately felt calm. Her office was adorned with plants, and her warm greeting made Anne feel immediately at ease.
"Dr. Jensen tells me you're fighting a battle against some rebellious gums," Dr. Chang said with a smile, inviting Anne to take a seat.
"That seems to be the case," Anne replied, returning the smile.
After a thorough examination, Dr. Chang sat down beside Anne, her expression serious yet kind. "Anne, you have periodontitis, which is a fancy way of saying your gum health needs some TLC. It's actually a common issue and a big contributor to bad breath."
Anne frowned, concern evident on her face. "I had no idea my gums were in trouble."
"It's not always obvious," Dr. Chang reassured her. "But the good news is, we caught it in time!"
Anne nodded, there's a silver lining, she thought.
Dr. Chang continued, "So, we'll start with a deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, to remove plaque and tartar from beneath your gum line. I promise it doesn't feel scary like how it sounds!"
Anne couldn't help but chuckle. "As long as it doesn't involve any more accessories in my mouth, I think I can handle it."
Dr. Chang laughed. "No, no.. No new accessories, I promise! Just a few appointments to get your gums back in shape. That is all!"
Anne had never been through a deep cleaning session before, but Dr. Chang's skill made it easier to handle than Anne had thought. Every time Anne went to the dentist, she learned more about her mouth health and got better care tips, especially for when she had braces on. Anne really thought about what you said. She worked harder at keeping her teeth clean. She learned how to floss around her braces and used the methods that were suggested to make sure she didn't miss any parts of her mouth. You could tell she was getting better, both in terms of her gum health and her confidence.
As Anne was finally feeling the improvements, Dr. Chang noticed something.