First day with braces!

[alicat516]

I am 33 years old and finally made the decision to get braces! I got them on today. Any advice/tips anyone would like to share would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

[phasesofbeauty]

What type of braces did you get? I wish you the best of luck.

[kitkat1]

congratulations on getting started! how long will you need to have them on for?

I got my braces on 2 weeks ago today. The first few days my teeth were really sore, and it was really painful to chew so I took pain killers as required, and stuck to soft, easy to eat food.

And i'd recommend using wax on any bracket that might be causing some irritation before you go to bed. I don't have any trouble during the day, but have 1 bracket that hurts me at night

[ca214]

Good luck! They're not nearly as bad as people would have you believe, are they? I got mine for the first time at 32..

[kathydell]

Welcome! I was 47 when I got mine. Biggest suggestion is to have open communication with your orthodontist and ask whatever questions you want. I see so many posts here with people who are afraid to just ask. I got in the habit of bringing a sticky note with my questions written down to appointments and now my ortho is used to it. At some point in the appointment, she always looks at me and says what questions do you have? I also got in the habit of asking her what is the goal of this appointment/adjustment. That way, I knew pretty much what to expect and what was going on in there. It just helped me to know what changes I might expect to see or feel so I didn't get discouraged.

[MrsCharisma]

I was 33 when I got braced. Really it only seems bad in the beginning; before you get them and when you first have them.

I am very near the end of treatment and am so PROUD of myself for doing this for ME!

Enjoy your journey

[alicat516]

Thank you all for replying! I got damon brackets, 6 clear on top, and the rest metal. My teeth are pretty sore today, but not as bad as I thought it would be. I actually thought I would be in excruciating pain today. Eating isn't fun cause that hurts and I can't chew ANYTHING lol. I also just flossed my teeth for the first time and that really hurt in some spots. I bought a waterpik which I used before and after I flossed and that seemed to help soothe me.

I have these stupid springs on both my front teeth, rubber bands on each side and because the clear brackets didn't have hooks in the front they had to but wire hooks on so I can attach another rubber band at night. I don't really like the way that looks and I'm hoping it will only be a couple months with that. Has anyone else had springs? how long did you keep them on for?

Oh and I sound a little funny, like I have a lot of stuff in my mouth... cause I do! when does that go away?
And when do I get to the point that I don't notice the braces anymore. They still feel so strange to me....

[Fidget77]

Welcome alicat!

I got my braces on at 34.... The jaw pressure will be there for about 4 days.. hang in there! Chewing is tricky for the first couple weeks, mostly because I had bumpers placed on the lower teeth so the top teeth wouldn't hit the brackets (those came off at the first adjustment) which meant my molars didn't touch. I chose to try out new soup recipes an made a big batch on Sundays to last a few days .. then soft noodles, yogurt, pudding etc until I was brave enough to try chewing again. I also have one spring on the bottom. It's only sore for a few hours after an adjustment when the put a new stronger spring on. I've been braced for 5 months now, hopefully when I go back for my next adjustment in June, the ortho will put a bracket on the tooth and pull it forward.

[alicat516]

Thanks for replying fidget!

I'm excited for the future and I know once I get past the next couple weeks I'll be good to go. just wish these springs and hooks looked a bit better. oh well.
o you remember how long into your treatment you had/have the spring?

[lexieplexie]

Some days you will just wanna rip them out lol. Good luck on your journey alicat

[Fidget77]

I've had the spring since Day 1. I've had 3 different ones, stronger each time. It looks like there's enough space for the tooth now but I won't know for sure till the ortho puts the bracket on it.

[SunshineRay]

I have almost had mine on for a year and Im almost done! I cant tell you that it gets better. I didnt have alot of pain but it was more then mental part for me. Now? I am sooooo glad that I did it. Good luck!

[TheKT]

I got mine on 12/19 and have the same Damon set up. I had a coil on bottom for about 3-4 months. I also have bite turbos and wear rubber bands 24/7 with the exception of eating and brushing.

[alicat516]

Thank you everyone!

[BeagleHQ]

Fellow new brace face! Just got mine on today at 41. Not loving it so far, hoping it eases up - my jaw really hurts and my molars don't come anywhere near each other so chewing is not happening. Hope you're feeling well!

Julie