Should I go to work after I get my braces put on???

Message

#1 Post by **juliejewels** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:12 am

I am getting my braces on December 21. I am a teacher and wanted to come to school after to see my students before holiday break. My principal said I might be really sore, though, and might be uncomfortable. I would be working from 11am -4pm.

What do you think? I don' tmind starting my vacation a day early... but hate to miss a day. I know I will be self-conscious that first day especially. I scheduled to have them done before break so I have 3 weeks to adjust to them .

Advice from those who have been there would be appreciated.

Thanks-Julie

#2 Post by **LadyJ** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:23 am

Haven't been there yet, but after reading another similar thread I decided to "treat" myself to a long weekend when I get them. B-day is a Thursday, and I'm taking it and Friday off (unless something comes up at work, which is a possibility).

I think I would be okay to go back, but I've got the time available and this way if I am uncomfortable I can just sulk at home.

Good luck and enjoy your 3 week break!

#3 Post by **lilblackdress** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 12:40 pm

This probably depends on how high your pain tolerance is.

I took a four day weekend when I was braced and was glad I did it.

You probably won't be too bad off immediately after getting braced, so take some acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) to keep the pain away and you'll probably be OK.

Remember that learning how to speak with braces can be challenging, so even if you're not feeling uncomfortable due to pain, you may feel a little awkward as you learn how to speak with braces. You may want to show a movie instead of actually lecturing that day.

If you don't make a big deal out of it, your students won't either (Well, I guess they might - it depends on what grade level you're teaching.

)

#4 Post by **Steadfast** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 12:59 pm

I went back to work the next day and managed fine with just painkillers, but I couldn't enunciate for toffee. I'd say take a day off to learn to speak again!

#5 Post by **braces138** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 1:44 pm

i WENT TO WORK THAT DAY,LEFT FOR AN HOUR.hAD BRACES PUT ON,THEN WENT BACK TO WORK.i HAD NO PAIN THAT DAY BUT NEXT DAY STARTED TO GET SORE MOUTH WITH CANKER SORES THAT LASTED A FEW WEKS UNTIL MY MOUTH GOT TOUGHENED UP INSIDE AND i GOT USED TO THEM.good luck!

#6 Post by **MissDiana** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 2:43 pm

First off, HI JULIE! Welcome!

I went in to work right after getting braced, but I stayed off the phone. Since you're a teacher, I would take the day off. Learning how to talk around your braces and getting comfortable just figuring out how to close your mouth can take a few days, you certainly don't want an auidence if you can help it!

#7 Post by **danish** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 6:08 pm

I took a day off when I became braced. Went to work the next day.

I didn't experience any noteworthy pain. My teeth were a little sore (and still are - especially the teeth which are moving), but it does feel kind of strange with all the weird stuff in your mouth. Soon after being braced I experienced the need for waxing as the brackets rub the inside of your lips and sometimes the ends of the archwire might even get stuck on the inside of your cheeks (ouch!

) which is really annoying. The first weeks are the worst. From then you will get used to the feeling as your mouth toughens up.

I'd say take the day off to get used to the look and feel

Danish

#8 Post by **browneyedgrl** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 6:18 pm

My plan is to go to work Thursday morning and my appointment is after lunch, so I figure I'll take the rest of the day off. I'm kind of playing Friday by ear since I work in outside sales. I will have my day planned to just visit customers unless I'm having trouble talking then I'll just work from home.

Enjoy your holiday break!

#9 Post by **NiceSmile** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 7:00 pm

I'm getting mine next Tuesday and am not planning on going back.

I have to have extractions also, but the holidays are making that trickier. My ortho plans to put the archwire on the same day that the oral surgeon does the extractions. I have a feeling I'll be out that day. Maybe the next?

#10 Post by **danish** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 7:12 pm

I also had to have teeth extracted prior to getting the brace. The last one of the 4 bicuspid was extracted the same day my brace was fitted. I would definitely take a day off if teeth are extracted AND brace is fitted on the same day. Especially if the tooth breaks during extraction and has to be surgically removed (happened to me). Due to the post-extraction pain and blood I wouldn't have been able to do my job if I had gone straight from the dentist to the office. However, some people on this forum have managed to do exactly that, so nothing is impossible

Danish

#11 Post by **cosmicgirl** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 1:25 pm

Hi there! I'm a teacher too and I had my braces fitted in my lunch break. I went back for the afternoon session and was fine - but hungry! I only had a couple of hours to do and can honestly say I felt no pain or discomfort and could still speak fairly clearly. It was also nice being occupied and not having time to think about my new metalwork.
Next day, however... my teeth ached and my cheeks were ripped to ribbons - I was having serious regrets about the whole thing!
However, you get used to all the interference going on in your mouth and adapt with time. Keep hydrated - for some reason braces seem to make you thirstier

and USE WAX!!!! (World's GREATEST invention!)
Good luck with the fitting!

#12 Post by **cosmicgirl** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 1:26 pm

Hi there! I'm a teacher too and I had my braces fitted in my lunch break. I went back for the afternoon session and was fine - but hungry! I only had a couple of hours to do and can honestly say I felt no pain or discomfort and could still speak fairly clearly. It was also nice being occupied and not having time to think about my new metalwork.
Next day, however... my teeth ached and my cheeks were ripped to ribbons - I was having serious regrets about the whole thing!
However, you get used to all the interference going on in your mouth and adapt with time. Keep hydrated - for some reason braces seem to make you thirstier

and USE WAX!!!! (World's GREATEST invention!)
Good luck with the fitting!