That's interesting, but honestly, checking too often made me more anxious. I'd obsess over tiny details and wonder if things were actually improving or if it was just wishful thinking... Maybe less frequent checks would ease the stress a bit?
I get where you're coming from with the anxiety, but honestly, regular checks actually helped me stay motivated. When I had braces, my dentist suggested taking weekly photos instead of daily mirror checks. At first, it felt a bit silly, but after a couple months, flipping through those pics made the progress super clear. It was reassuring to see actual differences instead of guessing if things were improving or not.
Maybe it's about finding the right balance—enough checking to stay encouraged, but spaced out enough to avoid obsessing over every tiny detail. Everyone's different though... I guess it depends on what keeps you feeling positive rather than stressed.
I totally relate to that anxiety about checking too often. My daughter just started her braces journey a few months ago, and at first, she was constantly in front of the mirror worrying about every little shift—or lack thereof. Once we started spacing out checks a bit more, it really helped ease her stress levels. The weekly photo idea sounds great though, might give that a try with her... could be a nice middle ground to keep her encouraged without obsessing too much. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I completely understand the anxiety you're describing—it's actually pretty common, especially in the early stages of orthodontic treatment. From a professional standpoint, I often see patients (and their parents!) getting overly concerned about daily or weekly changes. Teeth move slowly, and sometimes obsessively checking can make it feel like nothing's happening, even though progress is definitely being made behind the scenes.
The weekly photo idea is a good compromise. It gives you tangible evidence of progress without fueling constant worry. Just be cautious not to turn that into another source of stress—if there's a week or two where changes seem minimal, that's totally normal. Orthodontic adjustments don't always produce visible shifts immediately; sometimes the teeth are stabilizing or roots are adjusting beneath the gums.
I've found that gently reminding patients about realistic timelines and setting clear expectations can help ease anxiety. Patience really is key here... easier said than done, I know!
I remember feeling exactly like this when I had my braces—it felt like nothing was changing for months, then suddenly one day I noticed a huge difference. Hang in there, it really does get better... just takes time.
