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Well I finally got my fixed braces on Wednesday and it's only week 1 and there starting too get me down. I have a Class II Division with an increased overjet of 12mm. Have too wear braces for a year, then lower jaw surgery too bring my jaw forward then braces for another year. I'm getting my lower braces on now soon.
They weren't painful getting on or anything but now I'm so aware of them sitting rubbing on my cheek/lip and it's starting too annoy me. I've saw lip protectors you can buy but not sure if they can help. Think there for instrument SPAMMERS LIKE ME.
I was nervous/excited for this journey and I'm emotional now and don't know how I feel. I have too get a wisdom tooth out soon as well.
I got my braces on the NHS and beginning too think I should have paid for cermaic ones which may have been easier too wear. Not sure if anyone can offer me any advice but I'm just so aware of the brackets rubbing on my lip/cheek and it is starting too get me down
The first week was rough for me as well. I also have metal, and also just on the top for now. It WILL get better!! I used silicone "wax", the kind sold as ear plugs is cheapest, and you can just mold it over ouchy brackets or just the whole top. It was a godsend for me, I used it at home, mostly at night, and it really helped the sores heal, then I started to wean off it to toughen up my cheeks. Sore throat spray also felt numbingly nice in my mouth. I'm almost three weeks in now, and I'm definitely getting much more used to them. Hang in there girl and try not to let it get you down. You are doing something great for your health and appearance! The rough days will pass and you'll get into a rhythm of braced living. Then before you know it you'll have a gorgeous smile! Stay strong and lean on all of us here when you need to; everyone is so nice and supportive! Good luck breaking those babies in!
It does get better, really. I find that if anything is rubbing, I cover them with wax at night and it gives me a break. I was very aware of mine too for the first few days but the wax at night gave me a break.
I have ceramic but my friend has ceramic uppers and metal lowers. She said that the metal brackets are smoother than ceramic and she was less aware of them than the ceramic ones.
Hi That first week or 2 is really rough. I just had a rant on here yesterday about having a tough time with mine (generally things are a LOT better than that first couple of weeks but I still have lots of bad times!). I have the clear (I think they're ceramic) top and bottom. I've heard mixed reports from people who have braces on which they find more irritating. Really though, I think some people just get worse ulcers and more pain in their teeth than others do no matter which kind of brackets are they have. My daughter has all metal and has barely had a problem while I'm finding I spend more time with ulcers than without.
If you can get the wax to stick it really is wonderful for giving those sore spots a break. Salt water rinses help to heal them. I've just ordered some of those lip protectors. I think that while they're made to help musicians, they're really for anyone who's having trouble with their braces.
I have some kind new braces, brackets are triangular with some modifications, and really gives no pain to cheeks or lips witch I've always been tender for this.
I'm debraced after 2 rears and 1 weak of treatment.
Thanks everyone for your kind support - it's just great too talk too those in a similiar situation!
I find the wax does help but then times I feel as if I should wax all the brackets when they rub alot lol. Suppose it's very early days and I'm just trying too remain positive and think on the end results
I saw some lip protecters online and thinking of buying some of the ComfortBrace, there like clear protective strips and they look good.
I ordered some of the ComfortBrace and by the time they arrived, the soreness on my lips was gone. It was a little pricey and so they are sitting in my cabinet collecting dust.
November 15, 2012: 4 extractions and brackets placed
November 29, 2012: wire placed
Sentence: 36 months
I've had my braces on the NHS and just had my surgery done on the NHS too. The first few days (possibly even a couple of weeks) I really regretted getting the braces as it was so sore but you will soon get used to them. Use the wax when you need to on the main areas that are rubbing. I tried to only use it at night as I found that's when my teeth tended to rub against the metal the most. If you get ulcers, just use some salt water or corsodyl. I think the best thing to say is that most people will get used to them overtime and by the end of the first month the only time the braces caused me discomfort was when I had adjustments. It gets better, hang in there
It gets better!! I promise. I'm almost at one year with all metal except top 6. Feels so weird at first - I couldn't close my mouth or even really talk when I walked out of the ortho my first day. Believe it or not, they eventually feel normal and like a part of you. So worth it. Hang in there!
Thanks everyone. Yeah the wax does help and I saw a lip protector so might order one of those. Earlier I had bleeding gums and I hope it clears soon. I'm just excited thinking about the end result. Mind you the thought of the jaw surgery is abit scary but it's one step at a time
oh yep the first few weeks were really tough!! i have a over bite and overjet as well, and even though i had ceramic on top the feeling of them rubbing just made you SO aware of them and felt awkward chatting to people. it really does get better, after the overjet was brought back things get way more comfier, you will get used to them in no time wax is a godsend in those earlier days
Just thought I'd let you know that it's almost 3 weeks now and gee how things have improved. I'm really used too them now and times it doesn't even feel as if I'm wearing any! Getting lower's fitted soon so ready too do it all again. So to anyone who is feeling like me it definitely does get better. I'm even back too eating my normal food now and crunching into some cookies felt so good. Surely it won't damage the brackets... or would it?? (sorry if that's a silly thought or maybe not lol).
Just hang in there and things will improve and it will be so worth it!!
Just thought I'd let you know that it's almost 3 weeks now and gee how things have improved. I'm really used too them now and times it doesn't even feel as if I'm wearing any! Getting lower's fitted soon so ready too do it all again. So to anyone who is feeling like me it definitely does get better. I'm even back too eating my normal food now and crunching into some cookies felt so good. Surely it won't damage the brackets... or would it?? (sorry if that's a silly thought or maybe not lol).
Just hang in there and things will improve and it will be so worth it!!
Unless they're gingersnaps or something i'm sure they'll be fine I have clear brackets which from what I've read tend to debond easier and I've yet to have one fall off Things definitely get easier after a bit but I haven't been lucky enough to forget mine are there for even a second yet
I'm just excited thinking about the end result. Mind you the thought of the jaw surgery is abit scary but it's one step at a time 
