just got'em and freaking out

[alana]

Okay thought I was prepared, but just got home a few hours ago and immeditly started searching for some type of on-line self help. Are these things supposed to feel this sharp and rough? Ive got inovation metal brackets, was told they were suppose to be super smooth. Ha! If I hadnt had extractions I'd be going right back to have these things removed. How does anyone get used to this?

[Sandpiper]

Hi Alana and welcome! It is all pretty freaky for the first few weeks, and you probably won't believe me, but they will come to feel so much part of your mouth that you will forget all about them. It will only get better (with a few ups and downs along the way)! Good luck and hang in there!

[Robot Teeth]

Every single person here can sympathize with you. And we'll all tell you the same thing, which is that it will definitely get better, real fast, and continually. Every day has been less of a hindrance, and I am to the point where I don't even really care about my molar buildups any more, which are the things I hated most. I was looking forward to getting my braces, and when I got them, the reality of it sort of set in and I realized that its something you do have to deal with whether you like it or not at first. But every single day, you'll mind them a little less, and then when you actually see your teeth start moving, it blows your mind because its actually working. Two months in, the crowding on my bottom teeth, which is the main cosmetic reason I wanted to get braces, is already about 30% resolved, in relative comparison to what I used to see. That's freakin' awesome, let me tell ya'!

Trust us. In no time you'll be trying to talk anyone who mentions their teeth being crooked into getting braces. So totally worth it already.

[jamsmak04]

I have inovation C uppers and R lowers and I have only had mine a week. Trust me it gets way better. I was crying for the first couple of days wondering what I had done to myself. Everyone on here kept saying it would get better and I swear it does.
The second day in and my cheeks were cut up from the brackets but after some wax and sterisol rinse I was back to normal after 2 more days. Now the pressure is almost all gone and I am back to myself pretty much.
Most people said a week to a month and it was about 5 days for me. Now they seriously feel like apart of me.

[chainreaction]

I think we all freaked out at first ...just when I thought I couldnt stand anymore ..it got better....its a roller-coaster ride ...but soon youll see stuff happening and youll be so glad you got them ...good luck ...check back for support ...

[alana]

thanks for the words of encourgement. seriously much needed. Don't believe you guys, but would love to be proven wrong. Im thirty years old and I just got carded for cigarettes. I only smoke when super stressed. Did anyone else talk really funny? Also have these things over the wires that look like slinkys, some kind of coil. I talk to people for a living and this is a total nightmare. o and did I mention the drooling. very cool and professional. so kicking myself. I have a canine tooth that you cant even see unless I smile really big, and i thought hey I'd like to be able to smile without thinking about it. o if I only had a time machine... The best part is my cats name is sassy pants, when I call her it sounds like thathy thants, she is ignoring me. My boyfriend is in stitches thinks this is hysterical, he asked if I wanted braces or a vacation for our aniversary. aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!

[ArchWired28]

Sorry to tell you this, but if your worst complaint is funny speech, you have not yet experienced the darkest side of braces. Wait until pain and soreness kick in. I was in pain for 2 weeks after my uppers got in, and already 8 days with my lowers. Almost constant pain. Believe me, I could care less how I speak right now...

Of course I wish you are not in pain and everything goes smoothly for you. But, my point is - don't say how bad it is until it actually IS bad

[alana]

o archwired28 I am super pain zone. just way to vain to be concerned with it. Everyone said it wouldn't hurt till the next day, but an hour after I left I was popping advil like tic tacs. Brushing is out of the question, but that prob isn't too much of a problem since all im doing is using my juicer and drinking ice water. not to mention the lovely abrasions caused by these coils.

[jamsmak04]

I guess I must not have had it bad. Sure my cheeks were cut up and I looked like a duck. But I never had a lisp or anything. There is a bit more saliva but no drooling. And I have never been in so much pain the I needed to take more than 1 tylenol a day and I have been brushing with my oral b power brush and flossing since day 1.
I think everyone handles them differently but it seems to get better.

[lisa78]

Hiya. I'm 32 and on Day 6 now and I pretty much cried for days 1, 2, 3 and 4. It's only been words of encouragement from people on here and some good friends that have helped me perk up the last 2 days. I too have been freaking about how they look, feel, how I can't talk properly or smile without looking like I've had some kind of braces stroke. SERIOUSLY, On day two I wanted to rip them off.
The pain has been pretty bad, eating is tough but I'm slowly starting to get used to wearing braces. I haven't cried for 2 days so that's got to be a step in the right direction. I totally know where you're coming from, maybe we can keep each other right eh?

My blog http://bracketwoman.wordpress.com/

[alana]

u got urself a deal lisa. Although I could probably use a drinking buddy more right now ;). Its day two and I'm forcing myself not to call my ortho and tell him I changed my mind. yup, the smiling is the worst. I've got inovation r top and bottom. Was told they were smaller but man are they thick. I have a really small mouth and these things sure pop. Should have gone ceramic I think, but was told these would finish 3-4 months sooner. Well off to give a presentation and spit all over people.

[buttercreme]

I'm getting braces tomorrow morning. I can totally relate to your nerves and the fear of the unknown pain. I've been reading and stalking this post for the past 6 months...I will post my experience in detail, as I'm sure this will be a distraction from whatever I'm going through. I think braces are attractive, as an adult you must possess confidence and self-esteem to pull it off. Not to mention the health benefits should out weigh anything else, the looks are just some of the perks. Looking foward to getting my ticker at the bottom to keep track of my progress and sentencing as some of you so affectionately refer to it.

[Bracing for It]

Don't freak out! I've had my braces for about a month now, and they really aren't that bad. I haven't had any tremendous pain although my teeth are sore right now. The first two weeks, I was using a lot of wax because my hooks were sticking the heck outta me. However, not so bad now, and I've totally gotten used to having them on. It will get better. Promise! Everyone on this board can attest to that.

[shekhinak]

I was a nervous wreck before my braces were put in (September 9). And to tell you the truth, I think I was having an out-of-body experience when they were putting them in, because I felt like I wasn't there.

It's nice to hear that everyone seems to think, "What did I get myself into???" Count me in with that crowd! But, it does seem to be getting better, the pain is slowly subsiding, and I'm excited about the prospect of having a nice smile - after many years of being too embarrassed to smile for pictures.

So... you're in plenty of good company here! We're all in the same boat :-)

[LoveOrtho]

@alana,

I still remember the first few days after I got my braces on and it was quite a while ago! For the first week I couldn't eat anything solid, and to add to that, I could only chew with my back teeth for 2 months! But I promise you it gets better.

PS. I was fully braced and had molar build-ups, so it was painful and sore!

LoveOrtho