What have I done?

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#1 Post by **kbelle** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 6:47 am

I just got braces at 35 and am a bit worried that I have made a mistake. I have minimal crowding and and my two front teeth and bottom canines stick out. The ortho has decided to be conservative and wait for a couple adjustments to determine whether I need to have teeth pulled. I was very self conscious before but now I can barely look in the mirror. i feel like my mouth is protruding out about 3 feet. Does anyone have any feedback as to when they started to feel more "normal" in braces? Are there ways to encourage an orthodontist to be agressive with treatment without sacrificing results? I am not sure how I will feel six months from now but I would like to become more positive about this decision. Any words of wisdom? Thanks.

#2 Post by **flowertowngal** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 6:54 am

I understand exactly how you feel. When I first got my braces on I felt like my lips were sticking way out - people kept telling me they didn't but I know they did - I kept saying, "I can see that they are sticking out!".

But I suppose other people weren't staring obsessively in the mirror like I was...haha. It took a few weeks for me to feel more comfortable and then a few months for me to really relax. My lips did relax and feel normal again after a while.

Every day you just have to think to yourself, "I just have to get through today". Don't start thinking about months and years, just today. And read the posts here and know that if it got better for all of these other people, it will get better for you too.

Good luck!!

#3 Post by **josephine** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 7:06 am

I think everyone goes through this phase. How long have you had your braces on? Just think of how great it will be to get the problem fixed now, and what a hassle it would be to get them off and put back on again. It may take a few weeks but believe it or not you will often forget you even have them on. Good luck!

#4 Post by **eaglesoaring** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 8:40 am

kbelle-

Hi! Welcome! First of all, congratulations on taking the "big step"...deciding to get braces! It was a big decision for me!

I'm 36 years old. I'm six weeks into treatment. I know exactly what you mean. I felt exhausted from trying to wrap my lips around, what seemed like, an extra set of teeth! At least that's how they FELT to me, at first. And not being able to eat normally (although some can), well, that was discouraging, to say the least. I actually told my husband, "I will wear these for 3 months and NO MORE!!" (I was half-joking and half-serious!) I've never been bothered by my teeth. They're overcrowded upper/lower arches. And very crooked! But they never inhibited my life! So, there I was, left with the question, "WHY ON EARTH DID I DO THIS TO MYSELF?"

Then, one day...woohhhoooooo...I noticed MOVEMENT! Actual movement! It was then that I came to accept that I will have these things on my teeth for a while...and that little bit of movement made me realize that I'd made the right decision, despite the discomfort and awkwardness. I think I just needed to see WHY I actually did this to myself, and as soon as I saw that movement, well...it became clear.

Give yourself some time to get used to them...and be patient. You may read that some people aren't bothered, and they're eating like normal, and having NO problems getting used to them...but remember: everybody is different! It's taken me longer to get used to them than some members on this board...but we all move at our own pace.

You aren't alone! We're all here for ya'! And if you feel down, just post on this board. One of us will definitely understand what you're going through!We're going through it, too!

Hang in there! You'll be just fine! Oh, and the first sign of movement I noticed was when I flossed. It was MUCH, MUCH easier to get that floss between my teeth, whereas before, it was very difficult to get that floss between those teeth! Since then, I've actually seen my teeth MOVE, which is the obvious sign of movement...t-hee!

eagle

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#5 Post by **mamabracito** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 8:46 am

I am 22 years old and I had doubts after they came on too. I thought do I really need this. Was this a good idea? I look dumb now. But now I know I did the right thing. I am still not 100% use to them yet and I don't think I ever will be but I know it wasn't a mistake. Think positive and you will get though the first couple of weeks I"m sure.

Rebecca

#6 Post by **Caroline** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 9:33 am

I think I speak for most of us on this board by saying that you've done the right thing!!! Give it time: as anything new, it takes time to adjust. You're doing this for yourself! Hang in there, I' sure you'll do great

#7 Post by **Lillers** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:41 am

Hi kbelle,

I can't think of much else to add to the words of wisdom others have already posted, but I wanted to say welcome and hang in there. It'll be worth it!

BTW, I can't tell you how many people have told me in the 15 months I've worn braces that they don't even notice I'm wearing them, and I don't think they've just said that to be nice â€“ we really are our own worst critics.

I think you'll find the protruding lip feeling will go away. Try to relax the lips and think of them as a sexy pouting sort of feature!

#8 Post by **Lillers** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:42 am

Hi kbelle,

I can't think of much else to add to the words of wisdom others have already posted, but I wanted to say welcome and hang in there. It'll be worth it!

BTW, I can't tell you how many people have told me in the 15 months I've worn braces that they don't even notice I'm wearing them, and I don't think they've just said that to be nice â€“ we really are our own worst critics.

I think you'll find the protruding lip feeling will go away. Try to relax the lips and think of them as a sexy pouting sort of feature!

#9 Post by **Lillers** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:43 am

D-oh! Sorry about the double post â€“ dunno what happened there...

#10 Post by **missing_tooth** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:49 am

Best thing you can do is, Smile Smile and Smile. People love confidence.

- Missing Tooth -

#11 Post by **Jillianleab** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 12:02 pm

Your concerns are totally normal - we've all been there. When I first got braced (just a short two months ago) I broke down in tears before my first week was up because I was so miserable! Just know that you will adjust, you aren't the only one in the world doing it, and like it has been said, we are our own worse critics. I honestly think most people don't notice or care that we have braces, it's a non-issue to them. Soon, it will be a non-issue to you as well. They will eventually feel like a part of your body, like they belong there. Not that I think anyone misses them once they are gone!

Congrats on making the decision to be braced, and hang in there, it will get better. Like others have said - Day by Day!

Oh, and I certainly advocate taking pictures. As many here know, I didn't take pics in the very beginning of my treatment and I really regret it. It's very inspiring and encouraging to be able to compare your progress, it reminds you why you are doing it!

Good luck!

#12 Post by **lionfish** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 3:51 pm

Hi kbelle, I started out with a mild underbite so when my lower braces went on it felt like my lower lip was sticking out enough to rest a paper cup on. Totally stupid, but as jillianleab has said, we are our own worst critics.

While they are a constant in my life right now, I try not to let my braces dominate other areas of my life. At the end of the day I have to eat and drink, deal with clients, socialise with friends, and indulge my passion for scuba diving.

Right now I really need to go and floss my teeth!

#13 Post by **Kriz** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 7:54 pm

I went through the same thing, feeling like my lips were just sticking out. I would say it took abou tq week for me to feel normal again, now it dont really feel the brackets or the wires anymore. I am starting to expierence some mild discomfort form my top front teeth ( I hope this means movement

) It will get better, just give yourself time to adjust.

Grats on getting braced and keep smiling

Kriz

#14 Post by **kiwi_girluk** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 2:53 am

I am going through the same thoughts as you are!! But this board has certainly helped. I have had my quadhelix (palate expander) on for two days now and I am getting used to it already. My speech is way off being normal but hopefully day by day eating and speaking will become better.

I get my top braces fitted in three weeks so I am also nervous about that but if you ever need encouragement jump on here, because in my short time as a member I have valued everyones well wishes! They know what they are talking about, they have suffered/endured what we are about to and there is no better person to learn from!

Good luck.. xx and keep helping us newbies out!!

#15 Post by **principessa** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 9:11 am

Hi Kbelle!!! I know exactly how you feel - I am 32 and had upper and lower braces 1 week and 2 days ago - my two fron teeth also protrude slightly and worse still, my gap that has been filled in for 15 years had to gotten rid of much to my horror! When the braces were on it felt so weird and I felt like I couldn't close my mouth, I said to my hubbie it feels like i've had collegen implants cos I had a real "trout pout" - but I can honestly say, it is getting better and although I am still self-conscious (more becuase of the gap than the brace) it's certainly not so bad as last week.

Just hang on in there - you'll be ecstatic with the results I'm sure - that's what I keep telling myself!!!

Pxx

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