Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi

I was due to get my braces on Saturday but the orthodontist has postponed my appointment to Friday 8 December. I am so disappointed as I had started to psyche myself up already and this is the second time brace day has been delayed now following complications with extractions. Hey ho, there is nothing I can do about it.

Anyhow, I was wondering what you think about going into work straight afterwards? I am, as far as I am aware, due to have the whole lot done in one day - ceramic uppers, metal lowers and a palatal arch with a nance button. Will this be too much of a shock to the system to go straight into work? One of my biggest concerns would be actually being able to talk to people - I would like a bit of time to practice first!

Would you adivse to take the day off on Friday and have the weekend to get used to things?

Thanks

Julia

I just had my braces put on a couple of hours ago and I am glad I took the day off. Although my mouth is not hurting me now I'm sure it will later on. My advice is to take the day off if you can. I am very happy that I did.

Hi jc75

I had my braces fitted 3 weeks ago on a Friday morning and took the day off. I wanted to get used to them before I tackled work again on Monday. As you are having more equipment (so to speak) I think it might be wise to take the day off if possible. Sorry to hear you had complications with extractions (I did too). Hopefully it will be easier sailing for you from 8 December.

Regards
Joney

I went straight back to work when I got my braces on. It was no problem at all. I was a little distracted. Then again I didn't need to talk to anyone that day so it depends on what you do for a living.

Hi jc75,

Sorry your appointment to get your braces was delayed. You may want to ask your ortho's office to call you should they have an earlier opening.

Regarding taking the day off on the day you get your braces, if you go to work after your braces are placed then you will have the opportunity for people to see your braces and answer the usual questions. This can be good because that way you won't have to be nervous through the weekend of how your co-workers will react to your braces. I was a bit self conscious about getting braces because I am an adult and just getting over people's reactions was stressful for me because I had not told anyone that I was getting braces. But, taking the day off is a good idea too because having braces placed on your teeth is a big step for most adults and a bit of a stressful appointment (for me), although the staff at my orthodontist's office are the greatest, it was still stressful. If you take the day off, you can relax prior to the appt. and after the appt. you can treat yourself to lunch or dinner or go shopping. With taking the day off, you will not feel rush prior/after the appt. and if the appt. takes a bit longer then you anticipated then you won't even have to worry about it.

I did take the day off for both appts. (lower braces were placed 2 months after the upper braces). In fact, I even took the day off when I got my expander placed. I have taken the day off when I know my appt. may be more than a quick adjustment and just make the day a fun and relaxed day - this makes my orthodontic treatment a fun process. When I did go to work the next day after I got my braces, only one person noticed/mentioned them. To date, only about 6 people at work have mentioned them, not sure if people are not seeing them because they are ceramic or if people are not mentioning them because I have not mentioned them. I can't believe that it has been almost 10 months already since I began orthodontic treatment. My orthodontis estimated 16-20 months including the time in my expander so I'm halfway done.

Do what you feel would work for you. Keep us posted on your treatment.

ssfw
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I got mine on Nov. 8, a Wednesday, in the afternoon. I took Thursday and Friday off. I was VERY glad to have those days and the weekend to adjust (somewhat, I'm still adjusting). It wasn't about pain, which was totally manageable, it was about having what felt like a bus in mouth. Three weeks later I am coping but not completely comfortable and it feels like it's already been a loooong time. I have my first adjustment next week and I'm looking forward to making some progress. I can't detect any movement yet, I'm going to ask the ortho what areas he is moving first.

Take the rest of the day off at least. You will have to re-learn how to eat too.

Elle

I had uppers (linguals) placed first and was in the chair for 1.5 hours. You could say it was a big session. I was always going to go back to work after my appointment and glad I did. It helped take my mind off the braces.

I didn't find the braces a problem but I too have a Nance and that can take a short while to get used to. It feels like having a sweet in the top of your mouth all the time and can interfere with pronouncing certain sounds until you get used to it.

I had all mine put on after work and I'm glad I didn't have to go back to work afterwards because although it wasn't painful in any way, I found it quite stressful and was glad to go home and chill out.

I went to work the same day, i ended up taking the next day off though. Your second day will be the worst.

Thank you all so much for your replies - what a nice bunch of people you are!

I think I am going to take the day off work and try to make a nice day of it. My appointment is at 8am so I can go home afterwards and relax a bit and maybe do some christmas shopping later on.

My boyfriend and I were also planning on going away to the Cotswolds for that weekend too, which I am glad about. Hopefully we will be so busy that I won't have time to think too much about the pain!

Well it has been quite a long journey so far - I went for my first consultation 4 months ago and got my first set of spacers in 20 September! There has been so much coming and going to dentists and orthodontists since then - getting extractions, having to have a root surgically extracted as it broke off, going to get my palatal arch in which then didn't fit, more spacers etc etc. I have used up so much energy psyching myself up for appointments that then don't go as planned. I am really looking forward to getting the braces on so I can start seeing some progress finally!

Thaks again.

Hey guys I am new here, but from my experience, the first day doesn't so much hurt but it feels weird inside your mouth. I think the second day hurts the most. But, I would say to take Friday off and have the weekend to get used to them as well.

If you can't take the day off don't sweat it. I was in the same sit.
I went had them put on and went to work with zero problem.
I wondered why I had zero pain.
I did take some Advil and tylenol but didn't need it either so if it isn't bad.
The next couple days was fine as well. I see people had problems with pain but as my ortho told me to take the over the counter pain meds before your first install then maintain taking them for a couple days. I'm telling you it works. No sweat.

I went straight to work. My appt was at 9 am and I was at work at about 11. I talk on the phone ALL day at work too and did not find them that hard to deal with at all. In fact being forced to do something afterwards helped keep my mind off of them so I think it was good. It put them off of my mind so I couldn't get too annoyed. Had I taken the day off I think I would have been unbelievably annoyed and then they would definately be interfering with my life. I went into this with the idea that braces would not interfere with my life and so far it has worked for me.

I think it really depends on the person. I agree with PrincessMelody about not letting them interfere with your life; however, sometimes you need to do something for yourself. Most adults that are getting braces are doing something for themselves whether it is to correct a bad bite or for cosmetic reasons. When you are having major work done, give yourself a break and take the day off to enjoy what is being done to your mouth. (just another way to look at it instead of focusing on the pain ) Your job will be there the next day, or the Monday after the weekend.

Gardnr