Haha, you're definitely not alone there. I caught myself doing the exact same thing last night—was watching some random Netflix show and suddenly realized I'd missed half the dialogue because I was busy analyzing the main character's slightly off-center front tooth. Like, seriously, when did teeth become my new obsession?
Honestly though, it's reassuring to hear others are going through this too. Does anyone else find themselves noticing teeth everywhere now? Even strangers at the grocery store checkout...I swear I'm not creepy, just hyper-aware lately. Hoping this phase passes soon because it's exhausting. Maybe once treatment actually starts I'll chill out a bit...right?
Totally normal to feel hyper-aware right now...it's like when you buy a new car and suddenly see it everywhere. Once your treatment kicks in, you'll probably relax a bit and stop noticing teeth quite so much. Hang in there—it gets easier, promise.
I totally get the hyper-awareness thing. When I first started my braces, I swear I became an amateur orthodontist overnight—couldn't stop noticing everyone's teeth alignment, gaps, overbites...you name it. It was like my brain had a new hobby it didn't ask for, lol.
But honestly, after a couple months into treatment, that intense focus faded. Now I barely notice teeth unless someone points them out specifically. It's funny how quickly our brains adapt and move on to obsessing over something else (like why does everyone suddenly have the same shoes as me?).
Anyway, hang tight. Once you start seeing even small improvements, you'll probably feel way less bothered by it all. Until then, maybe avoid mirrors for a bit? Worked for me at least.
I wish I could say the hyper-awareness fades for everyone, but honestly, I'm months into treatment and still catch myself obsessing. Maybe it's because I'm paying out-of-pocket, but every tiny shift (or lack thereof) feels like a big deal... mirrors are definitely not my friend right now, haha.
I totally get why you're feeling that way, especially since you're paying out-of-pocket. But honestly, obsessing over every little shift can actually make the process feel longer and more frustrating. I've found that once I stopped checking mirrors constantly and just trusted the treatment plan, I started noticing changes more naturally. It's kinda like watching grass grow—if you stare at it too closely, it feels like nothing's happening. Maybe try setting a limit on how often you check your teeth? Easier said than done, I know... but shifting your focus to other aspects of your dental health (like whitening or gum care) could help ease the hyper-awareness. Hang in there—it does get better eventually, even if it doesn't feel like it right now.
