Day two of braces for a 45 year old!

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#16 Post by **sherria2z** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 9:09 am

Well, this morning I woke up and peeled my lips off my braces. My teeth still don't really hurt, just feel tight, but my cheeks feel like hamburger. I put wax on some brackers last night, but I guess not enough. It was hard to get the wax to stick -- it would stick to my fingers, but not the bracket, so I would end up just pulling it back out. The glide threader floss is the only thing I can get to work! Those little blue threader things don't work at all. The elastics are not great, but if they don't work, then my ortho wants to puts screws in my lower jaw bone to pull my teeth back. Yikes! I told him I will wear those little rubber bands 24/7!

Still, I could have had a trip to Europe for what this is costing me, so I have to keep thinking it will be worth it in the end! I keep telling myself my braces have given me Angelina Jolie lips!

#17 Post by **SandraJones** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 2:16 pm

The wax definitely works best if it, the area you are applying it to, and your fingers are ALL dry.

I made the mistake of not applying wax my first night. The inside of my mouth wasn't sore when I went to bed .... but it was when I woke up ! The second night I had plush rows of wax on uppers and lowers.

sherria, if you are using the floss threaders to pull the floss between your teeth and that's not working for you, you might want to use them just to get the floss under the arch wire, then use your fingers and floss as normal. Or maybe you've found that the threader floss works well for you, which would be great.

I was so happy this morning that I was able to get my normal floss between my teeth again. My teeth were so tight the first evening I could barely get the skinny waxed floss up there, but this morning I was able to use my fave Reach CleanPaste floss, even though several times it got shredded and I had to use tweezers to pull the strings out from my braces and between my teeth.

#18 Post by **sherria2z** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 2:55 pm

Thanks for the tips -- I definitely plan on packing on the wax tonight. I thought about buying one of those dental guard for people who clench their teeth at night. Has anyone tried that? They are $20, but I thought it would be worth it if you could just slip them on each night and your lips/cheeks would get a break. If anyone has tried these, let me know if it worth the money.

Also, could not put up a picture because I do not have a server to put it on. Is there any other way to include a picture?

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Fri Aug 17, 2007 3:04 pm

you might check into those things called Comfort Covers. Havent ever tried them myself, but checkout the "Dental Do Dads " section on the main page, and maybe you can find out if those are what you are looking for.
Good Luck

#20 Post by **sherria2z** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 3:07 pm

Okay -- duh, read the directions and am going to give it a shot at the photo.

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I hope this works!

Fri Aug 17, 2007 3:07 pm

Try this link
http://www.dentakit.com/cocoforbr.html

#22 Post by **SandraJones** » Fri Aug 17, 2007 4:15 pm

I want to get a pad too because I also clench, and I've noticed it a lot more since getting spacers and then braces. I do it in my sleep. I don't grind though, just clench.

rockymountaingal, thanks for the link for the braces cover. I think I'm going to try that !

#23 Post by **sherria2z** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 11:05 am

Well, I waxed just about every bracket last night and it did help. My cheeks feel a bit better today. I tried to eat bread pudding for breakfast, but could not chew the crusts and had to spit them out. Sandra, you got your braces the same time as I did--are you still on baby food??

I had a huge anxiety attack yesterday though. I saw the Damon braces ad and made the mistake of looking at their website. Then all I could think was, OH MY GOD--I GOT THE WRONG BRACES!! I just got regular braces and couldn't help thinking I had made some huge mistake and was going to end up not having a perfect smile. After lots of deep breaths, a walk, and a bit more research, it seems that it is not the tool, but who is using them. My ortho is great and so I just have to trust that I have made the right decision and that is will turn out great. But when I start thinking how I could have remodeled my bathroom or bought new furniture, it feels hard to trust myself.

#24 Post by **cwatt1** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 1:51 pm

Welcome, Sherria, from another 50-plusser! As you've seen, there are plenty of us around -- we're becoming more common all the time!

I know the first few days in braces can be a real PITA, but keep persevering, use the wax, drink plenty of water and make sure you rinse with warm salt water a few times a day. You'll be over the hump in a few days. We're all out here rooting for a successful experience for you!

I just got regular braces and couldn't help thinking I had made some huge mistake and was going to end up not having a perfect smile. After lots of deep breaths, a walk, and a bit more research, it seems that it is not the tool, but who is using them. My ortho is great and so I just have to trust that I have made the right decision and that is will turn out great.

That's the ticket. The main thing is the skill of your ortho and your confidence in him/her. A bracket is a bracket is a bracket, by and large -- it's the vehicle that attaches the archwire to your teeth so they can move!

Take care

#25 Post by **SandraJones** » Sat Aug 18, 2007 4:42 pm

Sherria, I am definitely eating softer foods.

I usually eat scrambled eggs and a slice of toast in the morning, most of it crushed by my tongue into the roof of my mouth. For my noon snack I cut up a Power Bar into thin slivers and suck on them like hard candy, spitting out or swallowing whole any pieces of nuts. I did manage to have McNuggets one day for lunch, a salad another. It was quite the challenge ! I also have 2 or 3 bottles of Ensure each day. I'm wondering if I'll ever be able to eat broccoli or carrots or asparagus or sliced meat ever again !

I wore so much wax last night my lips looked like I'd gotten Restylane injections !

In your research you probably found that Damon brackets do have some issues. There are some orthodontists who won't use them, mine is one. The standard brackets work very well. Did you get colored ligatures or plain silver or gray ?

I got violet to start, but I think I will do silver the remainder of the time. Unless the Cubs go to the World Series ....

#26 Post by **sherria2z** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 7:46 pm

Thanks for all the encouragement! I still have yet to see another adult with braces, but hearing about people out there going through the same thing helps so much. My ortho actually called me tonight (Sunday night) to check and see how I was doing! Also made me feel really good. My lips and cheeks are even worse today though and I am hoping this is as bad as it gets. It hurts to talk and I am on my way to brush and put on wax. I am with you, Sandra. Last night I had so much wax on, I looked like I was ready to head into the boxing ring!

As for the chewing, KK, is it good to make yourself chew even if it doesn't feel good? I made myself eat a little brown and serve sausage this morning (I know they are evil, but I just really wanted something meaty!), but it was so hard and I had to eat such tiny pieces. I have been sticking to things like scrambled eggs and soups, but will push it more if it will help my teeth in the long run. Thanks for your help!

(I need to get a ticker!)

#27 Post by **Traceymay** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:32 am

Hi all

I'm a 36 year old who has just had a brace fitted (upper ceramic) I can totally relate to all the experiences you have mentioned. Especially peeling your lips off your brackets in the morning.

I can definately recomend Brace relief for putting over offending brackets, its more pliable than wax, and its worked for me. Only one sore part in my mouth and much more bearable. Can't wait for my first adjustment on 24th september

#28 Post by **sherria2z** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:34 am

Okay -- I will make myself chew more. It is uncomfortable, but also has the strange sensation that I am chewing with someone else's teeth. Like they are dentures or something! Anyway, whatever will make my teeth move the most easily, I am all for. My lips feel better today and it is only day 6 with braces, so that is pretty good. Next week, I go back to work (I am a speech therapist and I work with kids, so I talk a lot!) and that will be the real test. Can I get through 6 and a half hours of chatting with kids??? I am sure they will all have something fun to say about my braces!

Reading everyone's stories, especially Meryaten's, is so encouraging. Getting to see start to finish makes me feel like I will have that great smile at some point too!

Metal Mouth Message Board

Day two of braces for a 45 year old!

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