Musings on a year in braces

[plugnickel69]

1. The worries about the reaction of others was totally unfounded. Nobody else cares.

2. Braces won't impact your social or professional life unless you let that happen.

3. Ceramic brackets are pretty inconspicuous.

4. I'm pretty much always aware of them.

5. I've been lucky to have suffered no pain at all, just a little chewing discomfort, and only rarely.

6. I used to bite my cheeks often before braces, probably an indication that I had some bite problems. The biting got worse at the beginning of my braces journey. Now I never bite my cheeks.

7. I like steel ligature ties better than rubber o-rings as there's no worry about staining even though staining has never been that much of a problem for me. Not a curry aficionado.

8. Powerchains are no big deal.

9. IPR is no big deal.

10. Eating gets much better after the first month or so, but food does get stuck, no doubt about it. It gets better as your teeth straighten out.

11. It's probably best not to eat spinach in public.

12. I eat fewer fresh vegetables and less fresh fruit.

13. Flossing is really a pain at first until you learn the tricks. The Flossfish is a fantastic tool.

14. It's fine to use whitening toothpaste and mouthwash.

15. The Waterpik is a very useful tool, but is not a substitute for flossing. Use warm water.

16. I'm glad I didn't settle for a partial fix.

17. My ortho is great. So are his assistants. The rest of the staff is super friendly and helpful. I made the right choice.

18. I look forward to my adjustments.

19. You're only as old as you feel.

20. I hope I've been a help to some others on this forum.

[denSMSgt]

Well said Nickel!

I still prefer all metal brackets and the Plackers brand 'orthopick' flossers here in the states have made all the difference in this go-'round in braces!

Love your attitude on the braces experience!

Cheers!

[Tobilei]

I still bite my cheeks at the moment

I too am aware of them in my mouth ALL the time. Was hoping that passes. Sounds like it doesn't.

Spinach and fresh herbs in public are definitely a bad idea!

I also eat fewer veggies (can't eat fruit generally it doesn't agree with me) too. They seem to get stuck the worst of all foods! Weird that junk food and things that are generally less healthy seem to not get stuck nearly so much. Very frustrating.

I have learned that I'm glad these braces aren't forever

[elainek]

What a brilliant post plugnickel! I agree with pretty much everything...loving your positive attitude!

I still eat spinach and veggies... just tend to talk with my lips covering my teeth like i've left my dentures out or something! Oh well...only a few months left!

[Ciara]

Great post! I learned about spinach on day 2. I also have metal ties and can eat all the foods that stain with no worries. I totally agree about having no impact on my professional and social life. A few people have noticed and I've had conversations about teeth with complete strangers (have to learn how to say, "No I don't think teeth should wobble like that in adults.", in Japanese). I'm often not aware of them at all. Maybe I have pretty insensitive mouth or something.
I hope in a years time I will be able to write a post like yours.

[SunshineRay]

Very positive post!

[missblu3]

Very enlightening, thank you for sharing! It's not all gloom and doom after all! I had no idea Plackers had ortho-specific floss! I suppose I will be learning about several products in the dental aisle that I never noticed before...

[Angel269]

Good stuff

[AM21]

Love this post! Thanks for sharing!

[plugnickel69]

Tobilei: I predict that the cheek biting will get better and you probably won't even realize it when it happens. One day you'll stop and think, "Wow, I'm haven't bitten my cheeks in weeks!"

Braces are not forever, but retainers are!

[Kipepeo]

I also can relate to everything you posted. I can add a few of my own:

1. I wanted ceramics on top because I wanted them to be less conspicuous. I should have gotten all metals because, frankly, I don't care what other people think. I didn't know I would feel this way when I selected the clears.

2. I don't clean my teeth any more or less than I used to. I still brush and floss every night...it just takes me a LOT longer now.

3. I don't ever want to do this again.

[Tobilei]

plugnickel69 ugh I know! But I'm hoping they won't be quite as horrible!

Kipepeo I am with you on number 3!!!

[plugnickel69]

More musings...

21. I hate brushing in public restrooms, but usually have been able to do it without anyone else there.

22. I can't believe how much better my bite was after only 48 hours in elastics.

23. Who'd have thought that elastics on the outside of your teeth would cause you to lisp.

24. Use wax when you need it. Don't be a martyr.

25. When it comes to retention, remember how hard you worked to get there.

26. Retention is forever.

27. Always keep the big picture in mind. Things may get worse before they get better.

I used to be able to whistle.

[katsface]

More musings...


24. Use wax when you need it. Don't be a martyr.

I used to be able to whistle.

Wow, I can relate to this! I've been braced and have had an expander with some sharp edges in since Jan 14th, and I find myself being stingy or lazy with wax. Sometimes I still forget that if I'm in pain that wax will help! But then I remember, or I force myself to reapply after I eat or before bed, and I feel SOOOOOOOO MUCH BETTER!

With all of this stuff in my mouth, I think about all of the sounds I used to make, like whistling, rolling my Rs, heck, even saying a long E without gagging haha. Oh well, it does have to get worse before it can get better, doesn't it? Thanks for reminding me of that

[Kipepeo]

I was able to whistle very loud with no fingers before braces. Now I can whistle very loud with no fingers, I just can't make really controlled "music" anymore, it's airy and broken. But my kids and dog can still hear it and respond to it!