New to this - Braces at 21!

[moodychopin]

Been wanting to get braces since I was about 15yo and now its only a week until they're on (29/1)! Getting ceramics on both uppers and lowers. Really self conscious about my smile and it has got to the stage where I would try and hide my smile whenever I laughed, which is just ridiculous. Both canines are raised quite bad and the less said about the bottoms the better (v. wonky!) and in a position to finance them so I thought nows a good a time as any! In my last year of uni and already feel that I should have done this sooner. Anyway, such a strange feeling now to know its finally happening; mixture of excitement but really nervous too! Anyone else know what I mean?! Ill try and keep an update and post some photographs when I can, for my sake as much as anything.

Also quick thanks to admin and all contributors on this site. Reading all your stories and seeing photos of progress has been really inspiring! Is there anyone else getting braced soon, or has just been? Be nice to know I'm not alone in the January 2015 club!

[oimysizex]

Welcome to the forum, its a really helpful place to be, everyone is knowledgable and will try to help with anything you need.

Like yourself, I am 21, I've had braces on since i was 18, and 10 days ago i had lower jaw surgery to fix my underbite & crossbite, best thing ive ever done is get my bite fixed, all covered by nhs so very lucky!!

Lots of people on here are in their late 20s/30s/40s/50s so we are the young ones around here!!
I look forward to hearing/seeing updates from you. This will be the best thing you've ever done

xx

[msw]

Welcome! I was 28 when I was braced, and I recently turned 30 in braces. I agree with oimysizex, it WILL be the best thing you've ever done.

[moodychopin]

Yeah I had 101 questions about braces before I started and this site has answered about 100 of them. Thought 21 was late getting them on but its clear its never too late to get this done! Congrats on the surgery too, thank god for the nhs. Are you on the home straight then? 3 years sounds so long - flossing must be a doddle! Ortho has said braces should fix my bite as its only a bit over so really grateful I won't need surgery (hopefully atleast!).

msw - thanks for the kind words, have heard lots of people say that you don't regret it in the long run so I believe you. How long left on your sentence?

[leadfoot4life]

I'm new around here too :)
I'm 25 and getting braced on March 2nd. It's nice to hear that there are newbies like me!
Looking forward to hearing your stories. Did you buy anything before you got braced (new toothbrush,waterpik, anything?)
I'm trying to figure out if I should buy supplies now or wait till my brace date.

[moodychopin]

Still can't post photos so need to post a bit more. Day 18 now! Other than sore gums in the first few days it's been fine, and that bulky feeling has past which is a relief. Not sure if its just ceramics or because my canines are slightly raised/stick out but the first few days it was a struggle just to close my lips! Thats one thing I wasn't expecting. Front teeth still sensitive so can't bite down on them but sure that'll pass when they have moved. No visible progress yet, but early days.
Hi leadfoot4life - likewise, be great to see your progress once they're on. Have found interdental brushes are a must for cleaning in between brackets after eating. Like everyone says, its amazing how much food gets stuck on them! Also picked up some different heads for my Oral B. They're called oral-care and have a hole in them, meaning brackets don't get damaged when brushing. Just been using normal waxed floss and same standard toothpaste :)

[leadfoot4life]

Hi moodychopin! I got mine on Monday so I'm on Day 3. The pain and pressure has been pretty rough, especially at night. I can't chew anything so it's been yogurt, protein shakes, and ice cream for me. I can't wait to eat real food. It's nice to know that the bulky feeling goes away!

My canines have to be brought down a bit from my upper gums and I have extraction gaps so the brackets seem like they push my lip out really far. It feels better if I actually pull my lip over my brackets. Do you feel self-conscious about talking at all? I sure do. And I've noticed I lisp when I say certain things :/

[moodychopin]

Congrats on getting them on leadfoot4life. Think day 3 was the worst for me haha, but will only get better from here. At first felt a bit self-conscious talking but once the pain/bulky feeling goes away you'll start to forget them and adapt!

[moodychopin]

Keep forgetting to post so my accounts still not activated..quick update anyway. 5 weeks in today, really has gone quick. No pain anymore, atleast until first adjustment in 3 wks! and pretty much eating normally. Front top teeth feeling very loose past few days so hopefully a bit of movement is imminent! Looked at a photo from day one and top archwire has straightened out quite a lot which at least means they're working! Will post some photos as soon as account is activated.

In a bit guys