Taking a trip, should I wait to get my braces???

[megan1976]

Hi! I'm new here and unbraced, but hope to join the ranks soon! My dilemma is this and maybe it's not really something to even worry about, but this is it. I’m going to Europe in a few months and while I’m anxious to get my treatment started I don’t know if I should go for it now or wait until I get back. My husband says, DO IT! But I have been debating it in my head and I'm going back and forth. I’ve already cancelled one appointment to get them on.

So to all those with braces, how big of a pain (if at all) would they be/are they? I’d have several months before to get used to them. My treatment is relatively simple, no teeth need to come out and no surgery. I’m planning on getting the regular metal kind top and bottom and I’m just not sure how I’m going to feel, let’s be honest, image wise about it all.

Am I making way too big of a deal about this? Obviously people with braces travel so I feel kind of silly even asking!

[nessness]

Hi Megan and congrats on deciding to get braces

Putting it simply, your husband is right, getting them sooner rather than later is better I would say. Taking a trip whilst in braces doesn't make any difference..I've travelled a few times whilst in braces with no problems, they don't stop you from doing things you would do without them.
There's no point in waiting because of a trip, if you're worried about people only seeing the braces don't even think about it...After they've seen it, the effect wears off to the point of people don't even think twice about them.

Well you could always look at it this way. Say you get them now and have to wear them for 1 yr (just guessing) then wouldn't you rather have them off in January 2013 as oppose to waiting a few months and having to get them off in say April 2013?
I had to wait about 9 months before I could even get mine...to think I could be out of them by now

But yeah to put your mind at ease I would say go for it, it's something you won't regret doing, hope that helps

[ArchWired28]

Yeah, I'd say go for it. "A few months" is more than enough to get you through the initial pain and discomfort, so that should not be an issue. As regarding the looks... I would not worry about it at all. I have a full metal mouth top and bottom and of course people notice them, but what would they say? It is your business not theirs so in my opinion, you should be proud to be taking care of your teeth and not embarrased about it. Good luck and hope it goes smoothly!

[Snowglobe32]

I would talk it over with your ortho. It is easy to say "go for it" or "don't do it" but only your ortho will know how often he wants to see you within those first few months. If getting the braces on for 3...

Wait, I think I misread your post... if you are just visiting a short while, and won't be gone for 3 months...then I would say, go get them. I read your message to read that you would be gone for a few months. How long will you be gone?

[sirwired]

Any trip two months or under should be fine. Make sure your ortho knows your trip plans well in advance so he/she can schedule your adjustments appropriately.

[megan1976]

[quote="Snowglobe32"]

Wait, I think I misread your post... if you are just visiting a short while, and won't be gone for 3 months...then I would say, go get them. I read your message to read that you would be gone for a few months. How long will you be gone?[/quote]

No it's only a 2 week trip, not months or anything. I'm just wondering how big a deal braces will be and if they will, I don't want to say ruin the trip, but be a pain. Flossing, eating, talking with braces.

It is a silly thing I know, I mean people do all sorts of things with braces and taking a trip shouldn't matter. I just have the choice now, it's kind of too late once they put them on.

[margarets]

I say get them on now. You'll be used to them by the time you go on your trip. Europeans have braces too, so no one with think anything of it!

I plan to get braces in the next couple of months and (fingers crossed) to go to Italy in November. My braces may not be off by then but I won't let that stop me!

[Marie45]

I say get them now if you have a few months before travelling. After 8 weeks my braces do not hurt or bother me, just all the flossing and brushing after eating. Go for it now!

[tinkc]

I think if you really want them then go ahead & get them. You will be that much closer to getting them off! I'm getting my braces put on Jan 31 and going to NYC for a friend's wedding on Feb 9. I'm kind of annoyed that I'll be in a picture-taking situation so soon after getting my braces on but oh well, I want to get them on ASAP so my treatment can begin. I'll just practice smiling in the mirror before I go!