Whispers of the Tooth

Chapter 4: Poppy's Trip to the Tooth Architect

Outside the orthodontist's clinic, Poppy bound her heart with hope—a combination of excitement and nervousness. After extracting her wisdom teeth, she promised to be very responsible about her oral health, which was another step in straightening up those misaligned teeth. She had always been self-conscious about her smile. Her friends sometimes told her it was cute, but deep inside, she wished for straight teeth.

This was the day she finally learned how to make that dream come true. She took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and entered the bright and welcoming office. The waiting area was filled with cheerful colors, and posters with attractive, beautiful smiles hung about the walls. Poppy felt slightly better as she signed herself in at the reception desk.

"Hello, Poppy! We have waited for you," the receptionist said, beaming at her. "Take a seat. Dr. Lim will be with you shortly."

Poppy sat on one of the soft chairs and began flipping through a magazine. She flipped through the pages, scanning the little writing pieces and pictures of cute models with perfect smiles. Poppy was ready to initiate her transformation.

Moments later, a dental assistant called out her name. "Poppy, we're ready for you!" she said. Poppy rose from her chair, palms moist as she followed the assistant down a long hallway where framed pictures of satisfied patients featured their new smiles. They all sported shining faces, and Poppy felt a burst of hope.

Dr. Lim smiled warmly at her. "Hi, Poppy. Nice to meet you today. Are you feeling okay?"

"A little nervous, but mostly excited," Poppy disclosed with a hopeful undertone.

"That's pretty normal! Today, we will do an initial evaluation and discuss your options for braces or other orthodontic treatments," Dr. Lim said. "Let's take a look at your teeth."

Poppy climbed into the examination chair, feeling the familiar vulnerability surge again. Dr. Lim used a mouth mirror and an explorer to look through her teeth, and all the hidden problems appeared. Poppy's heart was pounding inside her as she waited for what he would tell her.

"Your teeth are somewhat crooked but otherwise are healthy," Dr. Lim said, looking up from her papers to her with a reassuring smile. You have few choices to make. The most common are traditional braces, but there are also clear aligners that might be a good fit for you."

"Braces?" asked Poppy, her voice filled with excitement and a measure of apprehension. "I've seen people in braces and do not know how they will look on me."

Dr. Lim nodded understandingly. "That's understandable, but braces have evolved over the years. There's even colored banding and clear brackets that are less noticeable. And at the end, all is a gorgeous, perfectly aligned smile, which matters."

Poppy paused for a moment. "What about the clear aligners?"

"They're a good alternative for many people, of course, especially if you want something even more discreet," said Dr. Lim. "They comprise a set of clear aligners that progressively move your teeth to their proper position. You can take them out when eating or brushing, which is a huge plus."

Poppy considered it for a moment. While she felt apprehensive about the idea of metal braces, she was also excited by the prospect of having a clearly defined plan and the guidance of a professional. "Let's do it!" she exclaimed now, but this time with renewed eagerness.

"Great choice! We can schedule you to place your braces in two weeks," Dr. Lim said, jotting down some notes. "In the meantime, I'll give you some tips on taking good care of your teeth while wearing the braces. With all these appliances, oral hygiene is a must."

She listened intently as she reviewed all the list's instructions: soft foods, brushing, and which snacks to avoid. Still, she wanted to rise to challenges.

After the appointment, Poppy and her mother left the office. Her mother beamed with pride. "I am so proud of you, Poppy! You are taking such a great step toward that healthy smile," she said"Thanks, Mom! I am excited but a little nervous," Poppy said.

Poppy looks through the window as they move back home, hoping she might smile like this one day. It wouldn't be easy for her, but she knew she had it in her to put up with the change of life. She realized that every step forward in life took her closer to something great, and this time, she would not back off.