Parting is such sweet sorrow

Dear Braces,

I am no longer a Metal Mouth and although I should be feeling positively gleeful that I can finally eat pork ribs like an utter barbarian- ripping the meat off the bones- instead of painstakingly cutting it with a fork and knife, whooping in joy every few minutes and flashing my new and improved blindingly awesome smile to friends and strangers alike, I actually feel somewhat nostalgic. And naked.

I already miss you, Braces! I'm so emotionally attached to you it pained me slightly when removing you this morning. Ugh, maybe removing them today wasn't such a good idea. Don't know what I was thinking. I wasn't the least emotionally or mentally prepared. My mouth feels bloody naked. After more than a year of having metal bits grazing my mouth, wires poking my gums, rubberbands reducing my food intake (and ability to speak) and metal- smiles, the sudden removal of everything is extremely disconcerting.

My lips can feel my gums again. It is a disgustingly naked feeling. Gums feel gross. I feel like an old person.

It's a sensation so unknown; I'm in a state so detached that I dare not take any food. Yea, I'm not eating until I absolutely have to. Food seems iffy at the moment. I'm even hesitant to talk. Everything is suddenly so strange; I'm not really enjoying it.

After seeing the orthodontist, I immediately headed to the restroom to flush out bits of iffy dental stuff that were still lurking in my mouth and promptly tried speaking. And you know what Braces? Water felt so, so so foreign. Anyway, there I was staring strangely at the reflection in the mirror slowly going through the alphabet song. My "S" has turned airy and I've to purposely properly pronounce it :/ It was a good thing I was alone...

My teeth feel weird and miss you Braces! I want you back too!