Braces on, a few questions!

[paper flowers]

Hi! I'm new here. My name is Sheena and I'm 26 years old. I started the whole braces process in the early summer, but finally got my braces on this past Wednesday, Oct. 24. The ortho didn't give me a choice of what kind of brackets went on, and didn't really explain much to me about the whole process. Since I'm in Montreal, QC, many of the people at my ortho office speak very little or no English. Through some research I learned that I have Damon brackets, metal on both the top and bottom.

I have braces to correct an overbite and teeth misalignment. My teeth aren't terribly crooked, only 3-4 are really noticeably out of place. I've had 3 teeth removed, but not for the purpose of braces. A couple broke 3 times each, and having been repaired twice each, I decided that removing them would be my best option. The other is one wisdom tooth that was decayed and not worth saving.

Anyway so my treatment includes spacers so they can bring up my bottom teeth slightly to meet my top teeth (as it is, my front bottom teeth touch my palette.) What are spacers supposed to look like? They put something on my back right bottom tooth that makes it so my teeth don't meet, it's like a blue hard thing that looks like the glue they used to stick the brackets on. I asked about it but they told me it would need to "adjust itself" and I wasn't sure what that meant. Is that a spacer? I don't have any elastics or anything. What does "adjusting itself" mean?? :(

I also noticed my gums on the right side are a bit swollen. I've been brushing and swishing but haven't been able to floss due to pain, but I'm pretty convinced there's no food stuck since I really haven't eaten solid food. My diet consists of Ensure, tea and soup... I'm sooo hungry lol.

[klobird]

Good for you paper, for taking this step!

First of all, I have Damon metal top and bottom also--for an overjet and misalignment like you. They are very, very good braces.

I think the blue that you are talking about is a molar build-up--I might be wrong. You should be able to find more info on build-ups on this site. If that's what you have, it's to keep your top braces from banging into your bottom braces. Build-ups are used when you have a deep bite--when your top teeth almost totally cover the front of your bottom teeth. Otherwise I don't know what else it is that you have going on there...

When you first get braces, you will experience sore spots on your cheeks and inside your lips. USE
WAX--anywhere that you feel might be rubbing on your sore spots. I use Mack's ear plug wax--it's silicone based and so is softer and more pliable. It sticks well. You should be able to find it in any grocery store that sells ear plugs. Soon, your cheeks and lips will toughen up, but in the meantime there is no need to be uncomfortable! One thing that always surprises me--I can have a terrible sore spot at night, and then wake up and it's all gone, or has moved to a different spot. I think it's because your teeth are constantly shifting with the braces. The insides of cheeks and lips heal at an amazingly fast rate.

Hey, in no time you will get the hang of it!

Congratulations on your new braces--you will not be sorry!!

[oldguy]

Hi Sheena I too have Damon metal top and bottom. I have a bite problem that has worn down several

of my teeth to the point that it was basically dentures or braces. I believe what you are

asking is "What are turbo's" ... at least that is what they call them on this message site. They

can be bonded plastic or like you, I have a buildup of cement on 2 teeth to keep me from

hiting the lower brackets when I chew. Not completely sure but that would be my guess.

oldguy

[paper flowers]

Build-ups sound like what it is! Thanks so much, I was worried about it because I didn't fully understand what she was saying (I speak French, but I did all my braces reading in English and stuff.) But it's true that if it wasn't there, my top front teeth would knock against one of the bottom brackets. In fact, it really almost touches even with the build up.

I do have some sore spots on my lips and cheeks, but so far I've been trying to keep away from the wax (my ortho gave me silicon, but earplug wax is a great idea) so my cheeks can get used to it quickly. The pain hasn't been too bad at all, I expected cankers but only have one on my gums from the thing they used to keep my mouth open while installing the braces. It's not in a spot where anything rubs on it, so it's fine.

The only bad pain I have is when I try to chew anything. I can't sink my teeth into even really soft pieces of chicken. I hope this gets better soon, I'm becoming increasingly cranky. I got some soft cheese and bananas, so I'll start with that and hopefully the pain will get better. How long did this pain last for you guys? Everyone is telling me that it will never be this bad again, once this pain goes away. I hope that's true!

[trisportgirl]

I agree with klobird, it sounds like you have molar buildups - I had turbos (they get stuck behind your front teeth so your bottom teeth hit them before your teeth touch) and they REALLY SUCK. I was on liquids only for about 2 weeks and I was cranky and tired just like you.

Here are some foods you can try:
Mashed potatoes (I added a ton of cheese because I love cheese and needed the calories)
Mini pasta with sauce (you can get little star pasta that are so tiny you don't even need to chew)
Cottage cheese
Oatmeal

I got sick of ensure after about an hour, but it can be really tough to get enough calories any other way. Try searching some forums for jaw surgery - those guys are on liquid diets for MONTHS so they're pretty inventive when it comes to food (one guy put a hamburger in a blender...I didn't get quite THAT desperate).

For the sore spot on your gums, try swishing with warm salt water. It will help any canker sores heal faster too. Salt water is really magical when you have braces, it works for pretty much most pain, at least for me.

Good luck! The first two weeks are the worst and it's all easier from there!

[Dee17]

Hey there,
I just got my braces put on last Thursday and, like you, I have molar buildups on my back teeth. I was VERY worried about getting those because my orthodontist told me that they would interfere with my ability to chew. I've not had much trouble with them, however, which has been so nice. I agree with the other posting.... warm salt water rinses work wonders when you first get your braces. Hang in there. I was full of anxiety before I actually got my braces put on. Within just a few hours of my appointment, I could feel my anxiety melting away. It will take some adjusting but you will be fine! Hang in there!!