Official 25 and Up Braces Room

[PeaceWaves001]

Hey Party People! I'm due to get my braces on tomorrow!!! I'm full of excitement, anticipation, and wonder! I'm somewhat nervous and I appreciate this forum and the fact that it's a refuge for us people who share common situations. I haven't found a 25 and Up post so I'm creating this to get to know others in my same situation and also allow this to be a post where we can all share our progress together. If I've overlooked such a post please direct me to it!. A little about me. I just turned 26, I'm up for a 18-24 month bid to correct my open bite. Call Me PeaceWaves

[thisgal201]

Congrats on your future braces and great smile! I'm 32 yrs old and took the plunge over a year ago!

[chichi]

Welcome and congrats! I'm 27 and have been in braces for 3 months. You'll find all kinds of support and information on this forum Let us know how your appointment goes today!

[TrustGodAuburn]

Welcome aboard! I'm 35 and started my journey almost 50 days ago.

[PeaceWaves001]

thisgal201, chichi, TrustGodAuburn!!! You're all awesome! Thanks for the support! They're on and in full effect! I can't stop opening my mouth and situating my lips on top of them! lol. I have a question??? What kind of tooth brush and tooth paste do you use? I recently got an electric toothbrush and I'm thinking it'll get the job better than the manual 1.2.Elbowgrease method. I'm very excited for you all aswell!!!

[thisgal201]

thisgal201, chichi, TrustGodAuburn!!! You're all awesome! Thanks for the support! They're on and in full effect! I can't stop opening my mouth and situating my lips on top of them! lol. I have a question??? What kind of tooth brush and tooth paste do you use? I recently got an electric toothbrush and I'm thinking it'll get the job better than the manual 1.2.Elbowgrease method. I'm very excited for you all aswell!!!

I remember doing that when I got mine on. I didn't know how to rest my lips and it felt so weird I use an Oral B Vitality electric brush. There are times I will use a regular toothbrush if my teeth are feeling particularly sore or sensitive. I highly recommend getting a Waterpik to flush food out of the braces. You don't need the most expensive one they make, just a basic one will help. I've used all kinds of toothpaste but we've been buying Crest Extra Whitening toothpaste. I don't feel it really whitens, but no complaints with it.

[PeaceWaves001]

Lol! yea, it's a trip, they're kinda scratching the corners of my lips, but.... it's part of the game. Waterpik? LOL! Yea I've noticed those "Whitening" toothpastes don't really whiten as they say they do. Mouth Wash? I heard someone mention to use alcohol free mouth wash ???? Is this necessary?

[PeaceWaves001]

Hey thisgal201 I just checked out the waterpik!!! I'M THERE!!! I NEED ONE!!!

[thisgal201]

I don't use mouthwash regularly. I think I've on occasion used some Act rinse. The Waterpik is a must have, imo. It really helps flush all the food bits out. It doesn't replace flossing but it is a huge help in keeping your mouth clean

[PeaceWaves001]

Got it. I was thinking it would help me escape threading each tooth! lol I'm ready for the war tho so I'm game for the floss

[chichi]

I generally use some sort of enamel-protecting toothpaste (right now I'm on the Colgate brand, but I jump around) because I love acidic foods and my dentist recommended that I use it. I use a regular manual toothbrush and I also use Listerine - the kind with alcohol... I think most people don't like the burning of the alcoholic rinses. I've seen people say it dries out their mouths, but I've never experienced that. I use it every night after brushing/flossing. And finally, flossing does get better. It only takes me a few minutes now with my regular floss and no special threaders.

I think I covered everything

[Lorianne]

Got it. I was thinking it would help me escape threading each tooth! lol I'm ready for the war tho so I'm game for the floss

Hey PW! Congrats to you! I'm going on 1 week tomorrow, woo hoo! Still very much doing the "lip thing" but it's definitely getting better and I can rest my lips in closed position and I look pretty normal!

My Ortho gave me an Oral B 5000 with special ortho brush and I LOVE it. I'm now wondering why I didn't listen to my dental hygenist years ago who recommended an electric toothbrush for better cleaning. They also recommend Act mouthrinse twice a day, but I can switch off with Listerine for one of those if I want. They also said a waterpik is ok, but does not take the place of flossing as it doesn't get under the gum line. Been using tons of wax too. I just bought some silicone type wax that I like much better than regular wax too! It's softer, smoother, feels better on my gums and (this sounds gross) it's reusable!

Good luck and post pix along the way!

[Gypsyphd]

Welcome! I am 34 and just had my braces put on last Thursday. My mouth felt crazy for the first few days and I did have a lot of pain, but Advil was my friend. My mouth also felt very strange when I tried to close my lips, but it actually feels better now and I think I am through with the silly faces. I haven't got the whole flossing thing down yet because my teeth feel so tight. Hopefully it will come along with time. I look forward to hearing about your progress!

[FireFinder]

I'm a few weeks shy of 47, and just started treatment for the 3rd time.

I use a SonicCare, a regular brush, or an Orthodontic manual brush depending on where I am at.

I bought a new waterpik, and use Crest Pro Health toothpaste and Flouride rinse.

This time is odd, I have no contact points except where my top incisors are hitting the brackets on the lower incisors. One of the reasons I am in braces for a 3rd time. It is making eating difficult.

I am a popcorn fanatic, so going without is likely to make me mental. Waterpik is a necessary thing if you eat brownies, chocolate cake, cheetos or popcorn.

[PeaceWaves001]

You did! thanks so much for the info!!! So much energy and care goes into the maintenance of these braces!