Good Eve,
I was referred to this site by my boyfriend who is on the other end of orthodontic treatment - retainers only ! YAY! I met him when he was fully braced :)
I was just braced on Monday morning, top and bottom.
I have a class 3 maloclusion with missing molars , both top and bottom.All my previous orthodontic referrals were pretty set on surgery and 2 even said it was not worth saving ANY of my teeth at all,that my jaw was so off that orthodontics would not work. My current treatment plan is 2 -3 years braced with elastics and headgear,and he thinks he can stabilize everything without the surgery,if I was willing to do 3 yrs braced.I was dying to get implants when I lost them but the oral surgeon back east was like nope no room and my orthodontist was very glad he convinced me to wait. Im going to get TADS in April.
I have a sonic care tooth brush, and I have to say I love it.Brushing right now is the only thing that gives me some relief from the pressure, and I don't know if that makes sense at all.I was given a postcard of the scary teeth that werent taken care of when they were in braces.I do not want to go down that road!
Is that normal?
Im struggling with the floss threaders.Due to overcrowding on the bottom it have some really tight brackets.Would a water pik be a good alternative or should I keep struggling?
Eating is still a little bit special.I can eat I just cant chew.
And I think I might die for a snickers bar. :)
I wanted to rip them off my teeth monday night. My beloved boyfriend convinced me not too.And we both got through it with humor and love.
Anyway, I just wanted to say Hi, and thank god this site exists.
Terri
New here and newly braced
Moderator: bbsadmin
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MissTerriAnn
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Tue Mar 15, 2011 5:57 pm
- Location: Pacific North West
Re: New here and newly braced
Hi MissTerriAnn
Welcome to the site! I think you've made a great decision, and you sound like you have a very positive attitude, which will take you very far in this journey. And it's wonderful that have such a supportive boyfriend who can commiserate with you during the trying times.
As for the flossing, are you using regular floss with a floss threader (plastic thing you tie the floss onto), or are you using "threader floss" (short pieces of floss with one end stiffened, like a shoelace)? They are two different things. I find that the Crest Glide Threader Floss works wonders, because it gets into those tight spaces really well, and is easier to maneuver. They come individually wrapped in a box of 30.
I love my sonicare, too! I have a couple of areas that are a bit tender, but otherwise it feels so great, and my teeth have never been cleaner.
Will you be taking pics to keep track of your progress? I take one after every adjustment (usually monthly), and it helps to motivate you when you don't think you're seeing any progress.
I had my first Snickers bar today, since getting braced almost a year ago. SOOOOOO good, but SOOOO messy. Haha
I wish you well, and hope to see some pics.
Cathy
Welcome to the site! I think you've made a great decision, and you sound like you have a very positive attitude, which will take you very far in this journey. And it's wonderful that have such a supportive boyfriend who can commiserate with you during the trying times.
As for the flossing, are you using regular floss with a floss threader (plastic thing you tie the floss onto), or are you using "threader floss" (short pieces of floss with one end stiffened, like a shoelace)? They are two different things. I find that the Crest Glide Threader Floss works wonders, because it gets into those tight spaces really well, and is easier to maneuver. They come individually wrapped in a box of 30.
I love my sonicare, too! I have a couple of areas that are a bit tender, but otherwise it feels so great, and my teeth have never been cleaner.
Will you be taking pics to keep track of your progress? I take one after every adjustment (usually monthly), and it helps to motivate you when you don't think you're seeing any progress.
I had my first Snickers bar today, since getting braced almost a year ago. SOOOOOO good, but SOOOO messy. Haha
I wish you well, and hope to see some pics.
Cathy
Re: New here and newly braced
I realize I'm jumping in a little late here, but welcome to the braces club!
To answer your question, nothing can really substitute for flossing. Keep at it with those threaders. My first week in braces it took me about 20 minutes every night to floss. You'll get better and better at it every day.
Good for you for your decision to get braces. I didn't have noticeably wonky teeth, but my bite problem caused me to clench and grind (ow) and in turn, caused some gum recession (not good).
It's been a little less than 10 months now. My teeth aren't perfect, but they're obviously happier with their new positions, because the grinding has all but ceased.
My point being: Having braces is a challenge, but throw yourself into it fully. You will be rewarded.
Good luck!
To answer your question, nothing can really substitute for flossing. Keep at it with those threaders. My first week in braces it took me about 20 minutes every night to floss. You'll get better and better at it every day.
Good for you for your decision to get braces. I didn't have noticeably wonky teeth, but my bite problem caused me to clench and grind (ow) and in turn, caused some gum recession (not good).
It's been a little less than 10 months now. My teeth aren't perfect, but they're obviously happier with their new positions, because the grinding has all but ceased.
My point being: Having braces is a challenge, but throw yourself into it fully. You will be rewarded.
Good luck!
Re: New here and newly braced
Welcome to the site. The people here are so supportive. I agree that flossing is essential and it does get faster with practice, but I also cannot imagine having braces without the water pik. So many soft foods cling to the braces and it is nice to be able to rinse the food off before flossing. Your gums may be tender over time so you may have to turn the waterpik down to a low flow level, but over time you will be able to increase the power. Best of luck to you! I hope you get a great result!
