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Ibd Sufferers: You Can End the Struggle

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Ibd Sufferers: You Can End the Struggle

I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis eight years ago, and I was told that I would likely struggle with flare-ups for the rest of my life. I heard stories of other sufferers who had to eventually have their colons removed, and I became determined to not become part of this statistic. I was prescribed a daily medication that helps manage my condition, and although I don't like taking pills, I realize I need it to keep my colon healthy. I still experienced flares, so I began an elimination diet recommended by my doctor and found my "trigger" foods. I have now been flare-free for two years! I created this blog to help remind others with IBD that there is hope. You can end the constant struggle if you work with your doctor to try different methods of controlling your disease.

4 Fun Color Schemes To Try With The Rubber Bands On Your Braces

29 December 2014
 Categories: Health & Medical , Articles

Approximately four million Americans rely on braces to mold a perfect smile. If you're one of them -- or plan to be soon -- you might be wondering how you can stand out in a sea of gleaming metal brackets. Accent your stunning smile by requesting one of the color schemes below next time you visit your orthodontist.

School Spirit

Go Jaguars (or Tigers, Vikings, or whoever/whatever your school's mascot happens to be)! Support your middle school, high school, or college by sporting its official team colors. You can do this any time of the year, but here are some great times when you may want to show more spirit than usual:

  • The month of your school's Homecoming football game
  • Graduation day, if you are bidding farewell to your school
  • School pictures or your back-to-school orientation

You can alternate colors on your brackets, such as placing a blue band between two maroon bands, if you want both colors to show up every time you open your mouth. Another option is to stick to one color for the top and use another color on the bottom.

Holiday Cheer

Who says that festive decor should be limited to your locker or dorm room? Deck the halls -- and your smile -- with dark green and vibrant red pieces. Some experts in orthodontics even keep a stock of metallic and glitter-infused bands on hand, so you can reveal a hint of shimmer during all of your Christmas portraits.

Christmas isn't the only holiday that deserves its own set of bands. You can also adorn your brackets with:

  • Red, pink, and white bands for Valentine's Day
  • Green and white bands for Saint Patrick's Day
  • Orange and black bands for Halloween 

If your appointment falls during a month where there are no holidays, consider trying a look inspired by the current season. For example, you can request pastel hues during the spring or ask for navy blue and glittery white bands during the winter.

Proud American

Do you love your country? Share your pride by decorating your brackets with red, white, and blue bands. This look works well all year long, but you can also do it to celebrate:

  • A loved one's acceptance into the military
  • Someone special who is returning home after a long period of service
  • The memory of a family member or friend who didn't make it home

If you or your ancestors came from another country, you can also wear bands that pay homage to that area. Choose bands from a place like Aspen Orthodontics that mimic the main colors used in your country's flag, or select pieces that represent the national colors for your hometown.

Fan Pride

Jerseys and face paint make it easy to show where your loyalty lies, but why not kick things up a notch this season? Root on your favorite football team or baseball league by outfitting your brackets with team-inspired colors that show you're a true fan. Onlookers will get a glimpse of your decorative smile each time you yell, "Go Blues!" or scream that the ref is out of line.

What if you have more than one favorite team? Don't worry -- you have options! You can dedicate the top brackets to your favorite basketball team and fill your bottom brackets with pieces that represent your top hockey players. If you're a fair-weather fan, you can request new bands each time you visit the orthodontist. That's good news if your beloved team ends up losing every game this season. 

The average patient wears braces for approximately two years. Make the most of those 24 months by experimenting with different colors and themes each time you visit the orthodontist.