New and got my braces today.

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#1 Post by **Pyrose** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 8:57 pm

Hello everyone. First off, I gotta say that this site has been really helpful to me and I've enjoyed reading the posts. I got my braces early this morning and already I'm having "What the heck was I thinking?" thoughts. My lips hurt, my tongue hurts, and I can't chew normally. I just feel really weird in general right now. I'm glad I'm finally getting this done, but feeling kinda bummed out right now since I'm looking at 18-36 months of dealing with this. And it certainly doesn't help getting comments from other adults along the lines of "Aren't you too old for braces?" and "What did you do that for? Your teeth are fine." Yeah. If by fine you mean they're worn down, turned sideways and my jaw can't sit straight then yeah, they're fine.

Sorry about whining. I guess I'm just looking for some encouragement from braces veterans at this point. I don't see braced people going about looking miserable, so this level of weirdness and pain won't last forever...right?

#2 Post by **Pyrose** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 7:34 am

Thanks for the support. I just needed reassurance that this won't last forever and before I know it, I'll forget the braces are there. My logic told me this, but it's just reassuring to have it validated by others. I do have molar bands and what's bothering me the most is the tongue hitting up against whatever is sticking out from the things. As you pointed out, Meryaten, that must be the hooks you referred to. It was when I started eating and talking that the hooks started to irritate and I became really aware of them. I can handle general aches all over, but those hooks are really killing me! I have them covered in wax right now which helps.

Ken, yes, you're right. Once I'm done everyone can be jealous of my killer smile.

It's only been a day, but I'm striving to do great with my hygiene. I don't want those white scars on my teeth because I didn't clean well. I was trying to floss last night and boy did that not go well at all! My teeth were extremely crowded as it was, but when they put the spacers on that just really made it a lot worse. All the floss did was shred (that was if I could even get it in between the teeth) and get painfully stuck. I'll have to ask the orthodontist about this on Monday because I don't want to neglect a single part of my hygiene routine. The braces also really ticked off a particular sensitive tooth of mine so brushing that one carefully around the bracket is painful at best.

I just keep repeating in my head: It's worth it...it's worth it...

#3 Post by **Katt** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 8:51 am

I know hygiene is important, but with the flossing I would wait a few days before diving into that. Give your teeth a chance to get used to all the new hardware and then it will be much easier. Also a waterpik is a great investment. I went on vacation without it and about died because it really does help clean in all those tough spots.

But most of all congratulations and hang in there it will be worth it and before you know it it'll be like you've always had them.

#4 Post by **PARR** » Sat Mar 22, 2008 9:50 am

Welcome, and don't get discouraged. You are going through a process and it will soon become routine. You are doing this for your oral and general health and that is your business.

You will soon get used to the cleaning process you will need to observe. Stock up on super floss or threader floss and don't forget warm salt water rinses to heal the inside of your mouth. Forget alcohol mouthwashes and go with the newer types. Keep well hydrated...braces need watering.

Eat! Soups, slow cooked stews, chili, omelette's, pasta, fish ... there is a whole world of great easy to eat food out there that is fabulous.

Don't tackle a sirloin, bite into an apple, order up the nachos, or pop a mouthful of caramel. THe sirloin and nachos will be easy enough in a few days or weeks. The apple, cut into slices, and let the caramel melt slowly.

Finally, don't forget the otc pain meds if needed, and the wax. A bracket might be fine for weeks, but as the teeth move, something begins to rub for a few days. Wax it.

You're on your way.

#5 Post by **Pyrose** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:56 pm

On top of those cleats irritating my tongue, I discovered that there was also a spot of glue that somehow got on top of my tooth that lays sideways and it formed a nice sharp point. That point is what tore up my tongue so bad but the cleats were also extremely annoying.

I contacted my orthodontist today and explained the issues I was having with my tongue being really raw and sore and they were more than happy to see me today! It's so neat having an orthodontist that actually cares about their patients. So they popped that nasty spot of glue right off and bent the cleats in. What a world of difference! I was so relieved when they fixed those items that I sat in the chair having fun making "th" sound motions without something stabbing the living daylights out of my poor tongue.

I'm hoping the issue with the cleats is fully resolved now. My tongue is still so raw and sore that anything touching it is annoying. So of course, touching the molar bands does irritate it, but nowhere near as much as before! I hope I'm not speaking too soon, but I'm feeling so much better now. I can deal with tooth pain a lot better than slicing pain on the tongue.

I also got a Waterpik to help keep my teeth clean since flossing is impossible.

#6 Post by **Becca** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 12:38 am

Hey! Welcome to the ranks of the braced, ha! PS- Love your icon! I had that same "what have I done" feeling after getting my braces, too. My teeth hurt, my mouth was being ripped up by the brackets, and it hurt to chew anything. And to top all that off, I got the flu 2 days later, lol. But it DOES get better! After a few days the brackets weren't hurting my mouth any more (Rincinol mouthwash and Kanka ointment really helped) and I could start to eat soft foods. Pretty soon I was back to pizza and whatever else I wanted. I'm 24 so I felt weird having braces at first, but then I got over it. I mean, I want my teeth straightened and my bite corrected. So don't worry, in no time you'll be feeling way better!

#7 Post by **funshine** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:45 am

Hello and welcome, Pyrose!

I remember thinking I'd never be able to eat properly again. Now I can chomp into nearly anything I want. Somehow it all just works out. The body is very resiliant.

I know it's frustrating to hear, "your teeth are fine." I heard that quite a bit too in the beginning. True, my top teeth weren't that bad, but I had learned to hide my bottom teeth so people just didn't know the reason for the braces.

I rationalize it like this: 1-2 years of discomfort in braces pales in comparison to the 20, 30, 40 or even 50 years I'll have with a fabulous smile.

#8 Post by **beth1966** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 12:22 pm

[quote="Meryaten"]Right! Spot on

If eating's a bit tough at first, try not to let it discourage you. Choose softfoods (but not pap!), cut your food up into smaller pieces, and chew slowly and carefully.

Sorry to sound dumb - - but what is "pap"???

#9 Post by mg » Tue Mar 25, 2008 12:57 pm

Welcome to the journey!

Hey, you're not whining and you've definetly found the right group here for encouragement. Sounds as though you are doing all the right things; waterpik, learning the new flossing arrangement (I sit in front of a mirror and use Superfloss w/self threader and thick then thin thread. There's a learning curve to mastering the technique and it does take about 20 minutes.)

Hang on to all the good advice above regarding eating, wax, taking good care of yourself. The warm water and salt rinses will hasten the healing process.

Don't forget to post your progress.......

#10 Post by **purpleteeth** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 5:11 pm

I can't express this enough, but chewing REALLY WORKS THE SORENESS OUT FASTER! The longer you avoid it, the more you will crave and the harder it is going to be learn how to eat with braces. You really do have to *learn* how to eat, there is no other way to put it, but dive into it after a day or two and just eat small bites and focus on what you are doing. The soreness you will adjust to in time. Be patient with yourself and give yourself time to learn how to eat again, as your bite will continue to adjust.