Getting Braces Monday!

[BracesChick]

Hi everyone! I'm new to this forum. I'm 27 and getting braces for the first time on Monday. I'm getting ceramic on top and regular silver on the bottom. Total cost is about $6500. I have to wear them for 24 months. To be honest I'm reallllllly nervous! I keep having second thoughts. I'm really worried about how I will look. If I will be able to kiss my husband the same way. And if people will looks at me in a bad way. On TV people with braces are always the ugly nerdy person. I recently went back to college so I'm surrounded by a lot of younger people too. I've been trying to practice smiling where my teeth dont show, but I normally smile really big when happy. Would love to hear from other adults that have braces.

[beckyboo0205]

Hey, from what I hear, people see your braces at first, but then after a little while, they don't even notice them anymore! And you will have ceramic on top so it won't be as noticeable! I haven't gotten mine yet but I was definately second guessing myself too. Obviously there will be tons of changes at first... new things to get used to. But I think you'll adapt fast and then it won't even be a big deal anymore.

Look at Faith Hill's braces pictures... she doesn't look nerdy. I feel like I've really started to notice people who have them or not because I'm going to get them, and I haven't thought anyone has looked nerdy so you won't either! Plus think of the benefits!!! GOOD LUCK!

[KatrinkaNoir]

Me, too! How exciting that we are starting our journeys at the same time. I'm doing the same thing, clear on top, metal bottoms. You know, I have some of the same fears, but then again, since they are so expensive, I'm going to act more like a rapper with a sweet blinded up grill...after all, this isn't cheap. :). I'm going to grin big baby! :D

[BracesChick]

Another thing I'm worried about is kissing. Does it feel strange with braces?

[KatrinkaNoir]

Shoot, I meant blinged!

[kiwibug]

Honestly, so few people notice them. I have full metal (top and bottom). I've had them for a month and still have some people I see daily or weekly that haven't noticed or said anything. The first few days you'll have people mentioning them, but that's about it really. I was incredibly nervous and now it really doesn't bother me at all anymore. Aside from a loose wire this weekend, I hardly even notice they're there anymore most days

[SmilinginCO]

How exciting for you!! I was really nervous too. I have clear on the top and metal on the bottom. I don't think most people notice and if they do most people don't say anything. I have had mine a little over 3 months and very few people have actually said anything. I have seen great changes in this short time and I'm still so glad I made the decision to do this. Buy lots of wax! I love my water pik and glide ortho floss makes life much easier.
Good luck with your journey! Can't wait to see your progress.

[BracesChick]

Can the wax be bought at the drug store?

My husband bought me the sonicare airflosser for Christmas. lol Hoping it works as well as a water pick.

[TMJJill]

Your Orthodontist will probably give you some wax. If not ask them for some. Yes, you can purchase it at a drug store in the dental section. I found that I usually reach for the silicone wax. I buy it in the ear section and use a branc called "Macks ear pillows". It is cheaper to buy it in the larger quantities. Also, dentakit.com sells a couple times as well.

You mentioned in another spot that you have some TMJ issues. Have you talked to your orthodontist about how he is treating this? What kind of training does your orthodontist have? It is important that they address your tmj issues during treatment so that you don't have worse issues later.

I have clear on top and eventually I got metal on the bottom. Honestly, most people never even realize I have the braces on. I noticed it more than they did.

[BracesChick]

Yes he knows about my TMJ, he said he can not promise it will be greatly improved. My orthodontist is actually the best in the area, hence the higher price. He was recommended by 2 dentist and an orthodontist, along with neighbors. His reviews are amazing. I went to 5 others to make sure he was the right one for me. His staff is also amazing, I really liked the office and it's also close to my house.

[kelsawesomesmile]

Hi BracesChick,

I recently got braces (last Wednesday) and also have the sonicare airflosser. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it after your braces are on and if you end up trying the waterpik at all.

Good luck with your appointment tomorrow! I found that the appointment itself wasn't bad at all. But my first few days have been pretty miserable! Lots of wax and Advil! Be sure to have a good lip treatment (ie Chapstick) for your appointment. Applying and reapplying during the appointment kept my lips from being so dry and irritated.

I went with ceramic on the top and metal on the bottom too and at this point I wish I would have saved myself some money and done all metal. The ceramic on top hasn't kept anyone from noticing them and honestly, when I talk I think the bottom ones show more.

I was also practicing smiling without showing my teeth (something I never do) but trying to hide my smile and my teeth made it more obvious to people that something was different so my advice is to just embrace them and smile nice and big just like you used to!

And thanks TMJJill for the tip on Mack's ear pillows!

[TMJJill]

It sounds like you really have done your research. Not everybody does. Good for you.

You didn't say how much your symptoms for TMJD are bothering you. Just in case it bothers you more than a little, I thought I'd share some of what I've learned. I've found that the braces treatment is helping, but as my teeth and arch have changed I periodically get a flare up of TMJD symptoms. Massage, PT and ultrasound can all help if you start having any problems.

There is a great book that I've found to be a wealth of information on this subject. It has everyday things that you can do at home as well as helping educate on jaw/head/neck issues. It is called The TMJ Healing Plan by Cynthia Peterson.

Good luck tomorrow.

[Ciara]

I hope all goes well today. Let us know how you get on.

Ciara

[BracesChick]

So I'm braced! I started to freak out a little while there but I'm okay now. Sorry for the bad pictures, not sure how to take them yet

[Ciara]

Looks good! It always feels better once the journey starts. It is all the waiting around that makes it difficult.