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Hello! I just found this forum earlier today and i've been browsing for a while now so I thought i'd register.
I got ceramics (upper and lower, probably not the best decision but I was really concerned about the look of them) on Monday. I can't believe the tenseness i'm experiencing in my mouth. I've been taking a lot of Advil, and maybe i'm just really sensitive, but it doesn't seem to be helping. I was nearly in tears attempting to floss last night because it was so difficult and I finally gave up after trying for half an hour. My teeth haven't felt clean since I got them on, even directly after brushing. On top of that, I have to keep applying wax over and over again because it's tearing up my cheeks! Please tell me it gets better!
My ortho said it'd take 2 years... i'm beginning to regret my decision to get braced. I don't know if it's worth the hassle
It gets better. Honestly it does! If it didn't, we wouldn't all be here posting
Don't worry about flossing for a few days. Leaving it for a short while won't do any harm. Brush your teeth with a soft brush. Some people feel more discomfort than others. If you're in pain then keep taking the Advil for now, especially before attempting to eat. I know it sounds paradoxical but you need to get back to normal chewing as soon as possible as it will actually help with the pain.
Keep using the wax on any parts that are rubbing your cheeks. Some people find warm salt water is soothing on a sore mouth. Others (me included) find that using diluted hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash is helpful in soothing sore spots and is also a mild antiseptic.
The first few days can be tough, but within a couple of weeks I can almost guarantee you will be feeling much better.
It really does get better. We all go through the phase of "what have I done"--especially in those first weeks when your mouth feels like it was attacked by a cheese grater. Don't try to floss until your mouth feels better. It's just not worth the extra pain.
Your cheeks will toughen up. Eventually you may not need wax at all. I bought a peroxide mouthwash and that helped with the mouth sores. Keep the end result in mind, and hang in there.
OH THE PAIN! Yes, I was one of those who couldn't eat a darned thing and brushing made me want to die! Now, I realize I am so happy I did it especially when I look in the mirror and see my teethies straightening out.
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
Thanks for the words of encouragement everyone! I really appreciate it. Hopefully these next couple years will go by fast...
Another quick question: I'm beginning to notice a lot more spit in my mouth and it's really uncomfortable for me. Does this go away with time or is it an ongoing thing?
I can't believe people were telling me the spacers were the worst part. Pfffff! That was easy!
The extra spit is a response to the extra hardware. Your brain thinks it's food and produces extra spit to help with chewing. It's annoying I know, but it goes away after a week or two, once you adjust.
About the Advil not working, my ortho said if it doesn't work, to try Tylenol. My son's oral surgeon said that if you take 2 tylenol and 1 Advil you get a nice boost in pain relief without any problems.
I remember the kid's pediatrician telling me to do this when they had ear infections and strep throat.
It's safe if you do it on occasion. Give just Tylenol a try, if you're not feeling a little relief in an hour, pop an Advil.
Um it gets better. Trust me after you see how much your teeth changes--you will see. The first time in braces can be sort of a shock at first..ya know getting used to flossing, eating and the like...But it does get easier. Soon you'll feel like its the norm as it becomes part of you over time. Please continue to try flossing- what brand of floss are you using? If it helps I purchased the 3 in 1 floss and that helped out alot because you dont have to use the tiny blue threaders (as they are sorta built in on one end).
I understand where you are coming from. I have had my braces on for 2-weeks now. The first 10 to 12 days were awful. As a matter of fact, it was a good thing that I had teeth extracted, because I probably would have told my ortho to take them off. I am not really in any pain, I just don't like them! They are bulky and I hate the way my lips feel around them. Everyone keeps assuring me that ALL will work out and I will be happy in the long run.
In the meantime, I am SO happy that I am able to talk to other people that are depressed or frustrated about their braces. Talking with them has certainly helped me.
And, I'm glad I'm not alone, too. Experiencing the same troubles (I'm 8 days in braces). Each day does gets a bit better. It's true, all this very awkward and achy right now.
Just glad I'm in the same boat as ya'll - it makes the pain that much more bearable. Thanks!
Feb 12 '08: Full Metal Upper & Lower
Mar 04 '08: TPA until crossbite is corrected
Feb 03 '09: TPA removed: out of crossbite!!
Feb 12 '10: Sentence 24 months give or take
Sep 21 '09: BRACES REMOVED!!
I am pretty newly braced also and I totally understand how you're feeling. You hurt, you can't eat, you can't even think about anything else! But just as the others have said - it does get better!
On about day 3 or 4 for me I woke up nearly pain free. It left as quickly as it came. I still get a little tenderness every now and then, but for the most part nothing like the first days.
You also probably think you'll never be able to eat again. I thought the same thing (and actually enjoyed loosing a few pounds in the beginning ). I'm a little over a month in now and can eat nearly anything I want. I never thought I'd make it to that, but the body is resiliant and brighter days are ahead!
I know you have doubts now, but a couple of years in braces is totally worth the 20, 30, 40, even 50 years you'll have with a fabulous smile!
I started to have night time bruxism and my teeth were so tender in the mornings. I started to regret brace day but really, it gets so much better! I have clear ligs with clear braces and I have adjusted to not eating staining foods or just living with stained ligs for a bit.
Having braces is like being in a committed and healthy relationship. There is a little push and shove, maybe a little compromise, and a bit of pain, but in the end you are happy you went through it all.
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
WOW! What great responses, thank you! So glad i'm not alone in this...
Qtgirl wrote:Please continue to try flossing- what brand of floss are you using?
I'm using the floss they gave me at the office (satin floss?) with a threader but it's not strong enough. The threader isn't really working out for me either; it's too flimsy and the floss keeps slipping out. I've been researching and it seems SuperFloss might be the way to go for me?
I do wish I would've had braces on long ago when I was a kid... I would've preferred going through the pain then because everyone had to do it!
It gets better! I've had my braces for a week, now, and I already feel MUCH better! It didn't take that long for my cheeks to get used to the braces. Yeah, it hurt a LOT at first but now there's no pain at all. I can even floss now without any problems. Which is something that was very painful for me at first, also. Hang in there! You'll be great in no time!! I found that the mouthwash Rinicnol and a medicated ointment called Kanka really helped ease the pain of my shredded cheeks. I got both of those at Walgreens. Good luck and welcome to the forum!!
TRUST ME!
Trust me after you see how much your teeth changes--you will see. The first time in braces can be sort of a shock at first..ya know getting used to flossing, eating and the like...But it does get easier. Soon you'll feel like its the norm as it becomes part of you over time. Please continue to try flossing- what brand of floss are you using? If it helps I purchased the 3 in 1 floss and that helped out alot because you dont have to use the tiny blue threaders (as they are sorta built in on one end).
). I'm a little over a month in now and can eat nearly anything I want. I never thought I'd make it to that, but the body is resiliant and brighter days are ahead!
