Discomom smile under construction!!( Adjustment #7 pics)

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#1 Post by **discomom** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 2:57 pm

Hello, I am Lori aka Discomom, I have been posting here for a few months. I found this site shortly after I began the quest to go back into braces. Yes, I am a two-timer. I had braces 30 years ago when I was fourteen. Of course back then (in the 70's) all they had was metal brackets, hurt like heck when put on. I didn't follow any directions given by my ortho who was a crabby old ba$tard. I had an expander for a few months, then braces. My teeth were gorgeous after they were off, loved them should be end of story....well, no, I didn't wear my retainers at all and found within a very short time that I couldn't even get my retainers on at all. go back to dentist, he says there is nothing he can do. Ok fine, forget it. Fast forward to my life, I get married at 28 travel have fun then we have first babyb girl when I am 32, second baby girl comes four years later at age 36. My teeth moved a great deal during pregnancies. My jaw just didn't seem to fit right. things have progressively gotten worse over the years to the point that my jaw is really bothering me. My daughters' dentist refers us to an orthodontist for my girls to be checked. While there I liked the man so much I casually asked: "Do you see adults"? the rest is history I guess. I made an appointment with him, he referred to me to a periodontist for some gum issues. I had a soft tissue perio graft done in August and after that healed, I saw him a few more times. Now tomorrow is the day! It is really hard to believe. I am nervous, scared and excited all at the same time. I am worrying that we can't afford this right now, I feel bad for spending the money on myself. You know, the I would do it for my kids but not just for me syndrome. Anyhoo, I have found this board to be invaluable over the past few months and I really felt that I have been educated in the world of orthodontics! Not a bad thing. Below are posted my pictures right before braces, and then of course the one after. I will try to post pictures often as I find them to be really interesting to others as well as to me. Take care and I feel blessed to have found a site to share this journey with.

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New braces, three hours old!

#2 Post by **Miss Smiley** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 4:39 pm

How long is your sentence? Doesn't look like there is much to do, hopefully you're not in much pain and your headache goes away with some meds.

#3 Post by **discomom** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 4:55 pm

MissSmiley, my ortho said 12-18 months. Depending on how well I cooperate.

And you know that I will be the model patient. thanks for your response!!! Lori

#4 Post by **timewaster** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 7:22 pm

Hi Lori,

I think it's great that you are doing this again. Your teeth are going to look fantastic. So are your daughters braced too?

#5 Post by **discomom** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 5:06 am

No my daughters are braced yet! My 7 year old will definitely have them within a few years. Unfortunatley she inherited her mom's cross bite.

My 11 year old is pretty good really. The ortho just wants to follow her right now and wait and see. OMG!!! MY TEETH ARE KILLING ME!!!! Have a great day!!!

Lori

#6 Post by **QKate** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 5:50 am

Welcome, Discomom! The first few days are difficult but it gets easier! I am on day 14 or so and I am already eating pizza! I even managed some of a salad last night. I remember it was achy to chew at first but that has gone away.
I look forward to watching your changes along with my own. How long is your treatment?
QKate

#7 Post by **Andantae** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 12:11 am

Hi Discomom,

I am glad you are decided to do this for yourself.

In time, I hope you will feel it was money well spent and not feel bad, but glad about having invested in your smile and oral health.

Your teeth look really good right now by the way! I look forward to following your progress!

Andi

#8 Post by **discomom** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 3:55 pm

Hello, I think that I MIGHT be back in the land of the living!!!

I have been able to eat pretty much anything. Last night I went to a birthday party and they served pizza. I just tore mine up into small bites and chewed slowy and it was fine. Going out for Mexican food tonight, I will have no chips

And will order soft things. I am doing fairly well I think other than the inside of my mouth had several areas of ripped up cheeks. That is hard. If I don't do much talking everything is great. Well, that's it for now. I will write an update in a few days. Thanks for listening!! Lori

#9 Post by **Miss Smiley** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 2:48 am

Surprisingly, I was able to chew the tortilla chips even with sore teeth. I still do immediately after adjustments for a snack. Just chew carefully, sometimes, you get pokey pieces of chips lodged in the wire and gum (not so fun). A tostada sounds really good right now. MMM......tostada......

#10 Post by **where2be** » Sun Nov 04, 2007 3:53 pm

It took me several days to feel comfortable biting into chips and really crunchy things, but now they're no problem. Hope you enjoyed dinner!

#11 Post by **discomom** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 6:46 pm

It has been 9 days since braces went on. I have to admit that I hardly notice them at all now until I catch my cheek on a bracket!

Then I remember...flossing is still a bit of a pain but I am getting used to it I guess. You don't appreciate the 5 minute bed-time routine until it takes 30 minutes. ahhh, the good ol days. Just thought I would give an update. Lori

#12 Post by **KathyC** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 9:50 am

Hi Lori,

I'm glad you are doing great! I'm pretty much feeling the same way. I'm eating anything now and I hardly notice them anymore. My molar bands were catching on my cheeks and it was really painful. I went to the Ortho yesterday for them to check it and they had to clip the wire and bend the hooks on the molar bands. What a difference today. This is the first day I'm not wearing any wax on any of my molar bands.

Kathy

#13 Post by **discomom** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 12:53 pm

Kathy, yeah for no wax!!! I haven't been wearing it for several days now, and besides a few good sized canker sores I am pretty good. I am anxious to see how my first adjustment goes. My ortho had mentioned that I will be wearing elastics within a few months. Wonder if that will happen soon......hmmmm. interesting...... Lori

#14 Post by **discomom** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 8:06 pm

Karen, you mean not wearing wax won't toughen my mouth up faster???

UGH!! I thought that it would!!

I really only have two places in my mouth that need it actually, and since not having wax in isn't helping me, I'm WAXIN UP!!! THANKS!!!! Lori

#15 Post by **discomom** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 2:03 pm

My first adjustment is this coming Tuesday. I have no idea what to expect. I have done a search and for some reason nothing will come up and I know that I have seen several topics concerning first adjustments. Anyway, those that feel inclined, I would love to hear what happens and stuff like that. Thanks Lori