Im 48 and just got braces today !!!

[Nz101]

Im excited to finally be doing something about my teeth after thinking and wishing it for so many years. I have got the metal braces, cheapest ones and have been told I only need to wear them for 12 months.
So far only hubby knows about it and my son (who said its a waste of money and nothing wrong with my teeth). Feeling very self conscious of going to work Monday morning, will there be gasps of shock from everyone, no idea!

I don't have any pain so far, just feels like I have horse teeth with mouth full of metal.

Cant believe I have them, only one week after seeing my dentist !!! Wooohooooo

anyone else here around my age???

[sull88]

Hi, I am 44 and just got braced over 2 weeks ago. I have only heard good comments from the people that I have met since getting braced. I too got metal and feel that I have nothing to be vain about since I am trying to improve my health by getting my bite fixed. Best of Luck. It seems like such a big deal to the newly braced but most people only comment once and go about their day. Many share their braces stories from childhood and offer a word of encouragement. Keep Smiling, Sull

[kimmyann]

I will be 30 in april. I have an impacted canine that is also in a 5 teeth crossbite. I am planning on getting braces this summer because i am a teacher and i feel that will give me time to get adjusted. Ever since my dentist told me i needed braces. I have had debilitating anxiety. I have had to go on lexapro just to function. I guess some of my fears are being self conscious, eating normally ( like sub sandwiches, hambugers, and pizza) , the feeling of always knowing they are there, and the maintenance and embarrassement of eating with food everywhere in them. I am planning on getting the metal damons because the clear seem so big(like off the tooth) and i figure i can get used to them easier. I am also afraid of the pain. I wonder all the time will i be in pain so many days that i wont get to eat normal solid foods. I would appreciate anyone and everyones advise and experiences. I have read the whole impacted canine thread on here. Oh and i also dread the whole gap after my baby tooth gets pulled too. Mainly because i teach highschool. Ugh thanks in advance for any words of wisdom. I really want to fix my problem but am so scared.

[shredie79]

Hi folks! I began my experience with metal Damon braces in April of 2014. Reading your posts brings back my own apprehension before I got braces. At 54 (now) I have adjusted quite well. I can pretty much eat everything I used to. I would highly recommend a waterpik which can be purchased at any Walmart or drugstore. I also recommend taking a couple of Tylenol an hour before each appointment.

You know what? I have felt mild discomfort but nothing bad enough to make me feel I want to jump out of the ortho chair. Your teeth and gums will feel tender initially for 3-5 days....same after each appointment. But after those few days, you can eat as usual. I know you will figure this out for yourselves very soon.

Salad is the hardest thing to eat for me so I pretty much don't eat that when I am not home.

I teach jr high school and I was so afraid the kids would laugh---no one did. My adult friends could care less...a couple applaud me and would like to get braces once they are financially able. Good luck to all...let me know if you have concerns or questions! It really is a piece of cake! You can do it!

[metalliKa]

44. Metal braces upper and lower went on 6 weeks ago. Still getting adjusted to eating baby food because gum is still sore and teeth have shifted significantly making bite all wrong. But so far so good!

[crookedVince]

I am a 45 year old man who got braces for the first time.
From what I hear, adults take longer to have their teeth move because we're not still growing. That's the bad news.
Adults make better patients because we (hopefully) take better care of our teeth, we floss like we're supposed to every day, we use the fluoride rinse like we're supposed to, and we don't miss appointments.

No one mentions to me that they notice I have braces. I have clear/white brackets on my tops and regular metal on the bottom.
I do tell people I have braces when I think they might not recognize why I go to the restroom to brush up after a meal.
When I got them 7 months ago, and told my wife and family, they said "But your teeth are FINE!" which is true if you're used to seeing them for 20 years as crooked.
I remember the realization of seeing my brackets on my teeth all crooked and I figured out the brackets weren't that which was crooked, my teeth were crooked.
Being older also means that the year to year and a half that we take for treatment will not be a torturous year and a half of teenage time, but will be relatively quick.
A mild pain reliever for the first 3-5 days, keeping inter-dental brushes, toothpicks, hooks for cleaning, travel ortho brushes that I load with a little toothpaste whenever I go out handy makes for a less uncomfortable experience.

It's important to not try and have people talk to you and expect an answer while you are eating, because it's hard enough to eat properly when your teeth are moving away from where your brain is used to having them, and you will find yourself biting lips and cheeks sometimes if you have a chatty meal companion that wants to talk when they're eating.

Oh, and I use about 5 packs a month of white wax behind my lower teeth to make my gaps less noticeable, and I bought a 50 pack of regular dental wax from the affiliated web store after I got tired of buying single packs from the drugstore.
Being an adult and having a little bit of money is very helpful, too.

crookedVince