Omigod- you are not kidding about the spacers! I just had mine put in yesterday, and can't believe the amount of pain I'm in. I actually had braces about 15 years ago, and totally forgot about this part.
The hygienist that put them in had an extremely difficult time, and said I had some of the tightest "contacts" she has ever seen. She couldn't get one of the rubber spacers in after two tries, so I have a metal one in right now that woke me up in the middle of the night with incredible pain.
Luckily I'm going back in tomorrow to have the metal one switched out for a rubber one. I had a tooth extracted a couple of weeks ago, and this is much more painful. I actually had to stay home from work today, because the Advil isn't working- I had to take the Vicodin prescribed to me after my extraction. It's funny because the literature they gave me yesterday about the spacers says "these appliances may give rise to some tooth tenderness" and "an aspirin or two may be taken". Ha!
Good luck on getting your braces tomorrow- I get mine on July 18th, and can't wait just to get these damn spacers removed. The best advice I can offer is to wear your retainer like your orthodontist says after they are off. If I had done that when I was a teenager, I wouldn't be going through this again now. I was told just recently that I will need to wear a retainer (at least at night) for as long as I'm alive and want straight teeth.
This is all literally a big pain, but we're doing it because it's worth it!
Excited, Scared, It all starts on next Friday the 13th!
Moderator: bbsadmin
I can completely empathize with you about the spacers. I couldn't chew anything and I felt like my teeth were going to fall out! I wish you all the best with getting rubber spacers in and then the braces. I promise to wear the retainer when I am done. I can't afford to do this twice. Thanks again for the nice message, I do understand your pain.. I did get better with the spacers but I still can't really bite down. I swallow a lot of food. 
Happy B-day! I know that if your first few days and looking in the mirror for the first few times can be hard to get used to. But after a little while you adjust to it and hardly notice. I have been braced for 6 weeks now and hardly notice and can eat all the old foods I used to.
My advice is to buy orthodontic wax and use it until the inside of your mouth gets used to it. I tried the old "Well I just wont use any wax at all, so my mouth will become tougher faster." After a day or two I changed my mind and used the wax because of the pain. You will probably need the wax for about a week. It will be worth it though, and time will pass whether or not you have them on or not (braces), so you might as well have them on so that your problem(s) can be fixed. Good luck.
My advice is to buy orthodontic wax and use it until the inside of your mouth gets used to it. I tried the old "Well I just wont use any wax at all, so my mouth will become tougher faster." After a day or two I changed my mind and used the wax because of the pain. You will probably need the wax for about a week. It will be worth it though, and time will pass whether or not you have them on or not (braces), so you might as well have them on so that your problem(s) can be fixed. Good luck.
They are on!
Cwatt1, Rage31 and JBrace,
Thank you for thinking of me on my b-day! The braces are on, boy what a different kind of feeling. There is metal in my mouth!! How strange, yet ok at the same time. I woke up this morning and looked in the mirror, yep they are still there!
Half-way through the bracing process, I had to wait for the doctor to come back.. no wires were on yet, only the little metal brackets. The lady had me look at them in the mirror and then said, "you can read a magazine while you wait for the doctor." I said, "ok." But all I could think was how the heck do I read a magazine, when I look like somebody I don't know? I know, I probably didn't look that different, but I didn't feel completely like myself. After the bracing process, I walked out of the office and got teary eyed. I didn't think I was so shallow. But I am human.
Forty minutes later, I arrived at our family farm. There was my husband, he walked over to me really quickly with my black lab Maggie skipping along behind him. He said, "let me see!" I was scared, sooo scared as he is the only one I was worried about. ~He tends to make faces that you can read really easily and I was afraid to see one of "those" looks like, "ok, I've got to get used to this." But when he did see me and my smile he said, "See Maggie, mommie is still beautiful with a big smile and kissed me right away!" Suddenly, I was ok and what the rest of the world thought just didn't matter. I hope I continue to feel that way.
Physically, I felt fine all day yesterday but got sore from talking at the farmer's market today where we sell vegetables on Saturdays in town. When I came home just a little while ago, I checked this site and saw the post from you JBrace and now I need to thank you sooo much! I put wax in and boy, what a difference!!!!
Thanks for the info, very helpful!
My ortho was cool in that he gave me a SPAM SPAM SPAM SPAM SPAM SPAM SPAM SPAM Sonicare electronic toothbrush, I didn't know they did that! If you don't have one, I suggest getting an electronic toothbrush, as I actually look forward to brushing my teeth! My teeth feel massaged during the process and less sore afterwards. This particular one has a timer on it too; I always know how long to brush. Well, I better get going as I have a sink full of dishes and will be watching my nephew later today. I promise to work on posting pictures later tonight, tomorrow morning at the latest. Thanks for thinking of me! I hope everyone is doing well!!!!
Thank you for thinking of me on my b-day! The braces are on, boy what a different kind of feeling. There is metal in my mouth!! How strange, yet ok at the same time. I woke up this morning and looked in the mirror, yep they are still there!
Half-way through the bracing process, I had to wait for the doctor to come back.. no wires were on yet, only the little metal brackets. The lady had me look at them in the mirror and then said, "you can read a magazine while you wait for the doctor." I said, "ok." But all I could think was how the heck do I read a magazine, when I look like somebody I don't know? I know, I probably didn't look that different, but I didn't feel completely like myself. After the bracing process, I walked out of the office and got teary eyed. I didn't think I was so shallow. But I am human.
Forty minutes later, I arrived at our family farm. There was my husband, he walked over to me really quickly with my black lab Maggie skipping along behind him. He said, "let me see!" I was scared, sooo scared as he is the only one I was worried about. ~He tends to make faces that you can read really easily and I was afraid to see one of "those" looks like, "ok, I've got to get used to this." But when he did see me and my smile he said, "See Maggie, mommie is still beautiful with a big smile and kissed me right away!" Suddenly, I was ok and what the rest of the world thought just didn't matter. I hope I continue to feel that way.
Physically, I felt fine all day yesterday but got sore from talking at the farmer's market today where we sell vegetables on Saturdays in town. When I came home just a little while ago, I checked this site and saw the post from you JBrace and now I need to thank you sooo much! I put wax in and boy, what a difference!!!!
Thanks for the info, very helpful! My ortho was cool in that he gave me a SPAM SPAM SPAM SPAM SPAM SPAM SPAM SPAM Sonicare electronic toothbrush, I didn't know they did that! If you don't have one, I suggest getting an electronic toothbrush, as I actually look forward to brushing my teeth! My teeth feel massaged during the process and less sore afterwards. This particular one has a timer on it too; I always know how long to brush. Well, I better get going as I have a sink full of dishes and will be watching my nephew later today. I promise to work on posting pictures later tonight, tomorrow morning at the latest. Thanks for thinking of me! I hope everyone is doing well!!!!
Last edited by lily1 on Sat Jul 14, 2007 11:59 am, edited 4 times in total.
They are on!
FYI~Soft-Picks (like the G.U.M. brand) work great in place of floss for hard to reach areas!
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SDFD TSchott
- Posts: 1680
- Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2006 11:36 pm
- Location: Tucson, AZ
congratulations
Congratulations Lily. Great your day went well and awesome you have such great support. I think its perfectly normal to feel a rush of emotions immediately after an experience like that. I know I went from euphoria to dread and back again in just a few hours. Anything that bothers you that wax doesn't solve, go back and your ortho should be able to help you. Let us know how you get on!
So sorry no pictures yet. I had a really, really rough day. My teeth are sore and I can't eat many foods at all. I have lost 4 pounds since my June 27 wisdom teeth extractions and spacers and now braces- because I can't eat much. My husband is worried about me. My cheeks are better due to the wax (thanks again Mark), but are still uncomfortable and well, my mom stopped by to visit and we had an argument about my brother. It just sucks when you don't get along with people you love. 
Thanks for the comments, I am hoping things will be better tomorrow. Sorry to add too much personal stuff... I hope you are all doing well.
Thanks for the comments, I am hoping things will be better tomorrow. Sorry to add too much personal stuff... I hope you are all doing well.
Sorry to hear about your rough day, Lily. When your teeth are sore and you have issues that are emotionally draining it can certainly add to your stress!
In addition to J Brace's excellent advice about the wax, I recommend you step up the salt water rinses as well. I find them very soothing. Also, when you eat be sure to eat slowly and carefully.
If you can (not always possible, I know, as most of us lead very busy lives) you might try getting a little extra sleep as well -- it can be very recuperative. And just keep reminding yourself that the soreness will pass. You're going through the worst part -- the acclimation stage -- but once that's over the rest of your time in treatment will hopefully be much easier. I'll be sending positive vibes your way
In addition to J Brace's excellent advice about the wax, I recommend you step up the salt water rinses as well. I find them very soothing. Also, when you eat be sure to eat slowly and carefully.
If you can (not always possible, I know, as most of us lead very busy lives) you might try getting a little extra sleep as well -- it can be very recuperative. And just keep reminding yourself that the soreness will pass. You're going through the worst part -- the acclimation stage -- but once that's over the rest of your time in treatment will hopefully be much easier. I'll be sending positive vibes your way
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Miss Smiley
- Posts: 2008
- Joined: Wed May 02, 2007 11:59 pm
- Location: Sunny SoCal
- Contact:
I just had an adjustment on the 14th and my teeth were pretty sore today. I think there is some validity behind what cwatt mentioned. So, tonight I got into an argument over not being able to have dinner where I wanted. I think I have to blame it on my teeth. Things will be better once all the emotions and teeth begin to settle. Hope you're feeling better!
Upper and lower 1st premolars extracted
Uppers braced 4/6/07 & Lowers braced 4/20/07
ceramic brackets and rectangular arch wires
Est. term: 30-36 months
De-banded: 3/04/09 w/ LBR and U&L Essix
Uppers braced 4/6/07 & Lowers braced 4/20/07
ceramic brackets and rectangular arch wires
Est. term: 30-36 months
De-banded: 3/04/09 w/ LBR and U&L Essix