I think these braces have to go!

[luxe383]

Ok, I haven't posted for a while but I have to vent this so that someone stops me. And please no attacks for being ungrateful or any of that - I can't take it right now.

I have had braces for a little over 2 months now. I hate them, plain and simple. I've never hated something so much. I hate how restricted I am with eating. I thought that after a couple months I would be eating normal but I'm nowhere close. Every time I eat my entire mouth is full of food stuck to my braces.

Not to mention, 3 weeks after my braces were put on I found out that I am pregnant. Which was not exactly planned but great news all the same, but still, I just can't handle braces and pregnancy together, I don't think. I've been trying so hard but I can't stand them anymore. I feel like my whole life is restricted by "Rules of Braces" and "Rules of Pregnancy." I can't eat anything I really like and anything I can eat, I can't chew very well and I end up with indigestion all the time which is only made worse by pregnancy.

My mouth is still full of differnent sores every week. Everytime they adjust my wires, they are too long and cut up my mouth.

Also its been 2 months and my teeth have not budged. Not one millimeter. I got out my pre-braces pictures and they are identical to how the teeth look right now.

I have my next appointment next Tuesday and at this point, I have decided that I am going to instruct my ortho to remove them. I just want them gone and I think this whole thing was a huge mistake.

[starzz]

Congrats on the pregnancy and sorry to hear the braces are such a problem. If you want them, get them off. But why post here if you have already decided to remove them?

I hate wearing braces too but I want straight teeth and correct bite more than I hate braces.

When you get a sore, try rinsing with warm, salty water to speed healing. Try cutting your food in smaller pieces, and rinsing by drinking lots of water. Try eating softer foods you don't have to chew. If the wires become too long and pokey, that may be because teeth are straightening out!

Here's something to consider, the hormones during pregnancy should make your teeth move faster, so if you're lucky you could finish ahead of schedule

[Snowglobe32]

It sounds to me like you are dealing with a lot right now.

If you really are considering getting them removed, you are still early in treatment, maybe you can do that and put them back on at a later time. But would this really make you happy? If braces are making you miserable, then ask yourself if it is all worth it.

On the other hand, ask yourself if, once the baby comes will you be able to afford the braces? Or what about pictures with you and your baby... Would you look back on those pictures and say, "Gee, I wish I kept my braces..." I have never been pregnant so I don't know anything about hormones or what happens when one is pregnant...maybe you can find someone to talk to, it might help.

If you decide to keep them, at adjustments, don't leave until you are sure the wires are cut short enough.

[bb]

Oh I wouldn't get them off during pregnancy - when your ortho gets a bit more aggressive, I imagine your teeth will move fairly quick! - everything gets a lot looser during pregnancy - especially during the later months.

Good luck in your decision.

[TXMommy]

I was also pregnant with braces, and I also felt the frustrations of having to pretty much follow two "diet plans" (well, three really...because I found out in my third trimester that I had gestational diabetes on top of everything!). So if anyone understands the frustrations of eating while pregnant with braces, I certainly do!

That being said, I'm also going to have to say that removing your braces now would be a big mistake. You mentioned the wires becoming "pokey" even after they adjust them. That's your teeth moving! If you don't notice a change in your smile, I'd be willing to bet my bottom dollar that you would notice a change in your arch if you could compare then to now. Braces improve your entire arch and bite, and you might not notice these changes in just a couple of months. But if you're feeling those wires, there is movement going on!

Please do yourself a favor a stick with your treatment. Think of it as your special treat to yourself once you become a Mommy. Once that baby gets here, you won't even worry about much else in life, especially not your braces. If you want someone to talk to, please feel free to PM me. I'll be more than glad to listen to anything you have to say, woman to woman and Mom to Mom. Pregnancy is such a HUGE time; enjoy every minute of it! My little man is already eight months old, and I'd do it all over again, braces and all.

[felicia]

Just try to go back a few months and remember why you got braces in the first place...I'm gonna guess it was because you were not happy with your teeth. So, if you remove your braces...will you be happy? I don't think so.

[karencoutts]

Sorry to hear that you are feeling so upset about the braces and your diet. Congratulations on your pregnancy, though.

If you will eventually put on braces, now is the time... once the baby comes, you will not have the time to dedicate to taking care of your braces. I am assuming you will be off work once the baby comes. I am having my braces done before I go back to work, to avoid the hassles that come with explaining braces to my clients.

Best wishes for your pregnancy!

[TumbleDryLow]

Although I don't hate my braces, I'm not jumping for joy about them either. Yep, they are annoying in many, many ways not the least of which are the various eating fiascoes I've endured for the past 2+ years. But I really think you should stick with the braces for all the reasons everyone else has said. Two months is nothing. You haven't even given them a chance. Hang in there---you will be glad you did.

[evilnel]

I agree you should wait. It can be frustrating and overwhelming at times, but really, the restrictions are there for your benefit and certainly you can 'bend' rules now and then to accommodate the needs you're having because of pregnancy. Two months is not a long time in braces at all, and you have barely given yourself a chance to get used to them. If you remove them now, will you be happy? Let us know how it turns out.

[Kinda Nervous]

OH WOW, It does sound like you are dealing with alot now, Congrats first
on your new special arrival in nine months. You have so much to look forward too in the coming months. I tell, I don't love having braces I think I 'm the worst person who could of every got them, but I had to do
to my teeth shifting for I don't know what ever and I had a Luminear put on I didn't like and had it taken off. So I can tell you YOU can do it with the
braces it does get easier every day. I have a maybe 2 years. not sure or less. Just think by the time the baby comes you will have had them 10 months almost half of you time. So go for it , Your teeth will be beautiful in the end and so worth it.

[JTT]

Hi luxe383 -- That's so cool you're expecting! I too had braces that needed wax continuously, tabs that cut into my mouth, and teeth that weren't moving. Then my ortho wanted even more money, so I went for a second opinion.

The second ortho listened to me like I wasn't crazy, installed comfortable braces that never needed wax, and that didn't trap quite as much food, and trimmed off anything that stuck into me right away, without question, whenever I asked. My teeth started to move so fast I was shocked.

I posted my story on the forum: viewtopic.php?t=33833

Those things probably sound trivial to lots of people, but I don't think I would have lasted with the first ortho, I hated his braces so much. With the second ortho I did last to the end and I'm very glad.

It wasn't easy, but it wasn't torture either. You're not crazy and you are miserable for a real reason that only someone in your position can understand. I'd say if you need wax after two months, if you're going through this with nothing to show, vote with your feet!

P.S. I went through brain surgery with my new braces on. Anything's possible if you have the right hardware and trust your ortho.

[brendap27]

Congratulations! My first pregnancy was planned and then we wanted to have another and never had any luck. Twelve years later I became pregnant unexpectedly (at age 41!) so I know the feeling. I was thrilled and petrified at the same time and I'm sure adding something like braces to the mix would have been overwhelming to say the least.

That being said, I agree with all of the other posters who encouraged you to give them more time. Keep in mind that if you just found out you are pregnant, then you have been dealing with pregnancy hormones for almost the whole time you've been wearing the braces. I know from experience that the hormones can make you a little crazy and overly emotional, especially during that first trimester. If you are willing to give them a little more time, you just might start feeling a little better soon and have a different perspective.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do and again, congratulations on the bun in the oven.

[descantus]

Hi luxe383, don't worry about getting attacked by other posters - I think most of us here will understand the sheer hair-tearing frustration that braces can cause. I loathed mine for the first 4 months!

However like the others I would recommend taking time over your decision to make sure it's the correct one. You sound like you're going through so much right now and that braces are the last thing you need. But think again about the reasons you had them put on in the first place - are those still valid and concerns to you, or has your recent good news made them seem not so important?

If you really have changed your mind then go ahead and rid yourself of the torture devices. Just don't rush in to anything and risk finding yourself in 12+ months time looking in the mirror and wishing you'd stuck it out...

Good luck whichever!