Metal Mouth Message Board

Oh, caramel, too.

I did have caramel apples, but had to cut them up. But I was determined!

Way to go!

Well, I'm rebraced, so I obviously didn't wear my retainer! (Don't be me!) ;) But when I had braces before, I drank tea, coffee, wine, ate popcorn, and didn't floss super-faithfully. Everything was okay. I never ever popped a bracket, either. Trying for the same record this time, but with proper com...

I just got rebraced at 44, so you are NOT ALONE. Hope it's going well!

I don't think that you look vastly different (or at all "bad!") -- but slightly different can feel weird when you're used to what you see in the mirror.

Seconding what others have said, if you don't use retainers and your teeth shift, the results can be unpredictable. I had extractions and bracing, and a pretty good result from my first round of orthodontic work. Because my Essix retainers were uncomfortable, I was a flop at wearing them, and now 7 ...

Looking great!

Let your dentist know you're wearing your retainer. I would wear it 24/7 if I were you, for now. But definitely call if you're worried.

I've had various appliances (a flipper for a tooth lost, a retainer, braces, and now I'm rebraced) and you do eventually learn to talk around the hardware. :) It may vary from person to person, but don't be discouraged. And old broadcaster trick for fixing speech issues is to talk around a pencil gr...