Mental health and orthodontics

[MissLou]

Hi all... I am posting to seek support I guess. I am coming to terms with the fact that I will likely have braces (Damon clear ceramics) on my teeth in the next few months. I have TMJ symptoms and I know I need to get braces. I hate how my teeth currently look too & I know how much better I'd feel about my smile/face if my teeth were straight.

I experience a lot of anxiety and I also have bipolar disorder. I'm finding the stress of making this decision about whether to go ahead with this treatment is really impacting on me. And I'm scared that once the braces are on my anxiety will be worse as I'll be worrying what people think.

Does it get easier once the braces are on? I guess I want to hear that people (even those with bipolar or other mental health problems) manage this journey!

[verso]

I've got a bit o' the ol' mental illness myself but my anxiety may be less severe than yours, so I'm not sure how much you'll get out of hearing my experience, but here it goes...

As soon as they had finished bonding the brackets to my teeth and took the plastic lip-guard out of my mouth, I immediately wanted to puke. Feeling those brackets on the inside of my mouth, scratching my lips, I instantly regretted my decision. It dawned on me what an enormous commitment I had just made...

On the car ride home, I was feeling a little better about the whole thing but still a lot anxious. "What will people think? What if my teeth fall out? What if I go broke and can't afford to finish my treatment? What if... What if..."

BUT by the time I got home, I was done mulling it over. I had made the right decision, I told myself, and what's done is done. Haven't really thought much more about it since. Do I care what people think? Sometimes I feel a little self-conscious, but then I tell myself that 2 years is nothing and, honestly, no one whose opinion really matters seems to give it a second thought.

tl;dr ... it's all gravy, baby!

[Tyrantblade]

I used to get anxious about a lot, If I was the same as I was a few years ago I would be concerned about all the what ifs, but now I'm pretty much in the mood that I don't care about anything or anybody's opinion on anything, I'm gonna be myself and do what I want to do, and getting braces is definitely one of the better things I've ever done, and if anybody wants to say anything bad, they better be prepared for how unstable and mean I can be.

But really, at least in my case; people don't say very much, if they do, they are nice or its minor comments.

And yes I'm diagnosed as Bipolar (well bipolar-nos), so really I would say.

Just do what you need to, to bring yourself closer to where you want to be.

In my case I wanted to improve my smile, needed braces since over 10 years ago.

I wanted to lose weight, I got as serious as I've ever been lately, within 20 lbs of my high school weight.

And after that, I'd like to get lasik to ditch my glasses.

The first is well on its way, the second I'm trying my best at, and the third I will get to afterward.

TLDR, do things to better yourself, if people are negative remember that those people don't matter.

Those that matter don't mind and those that mind don't matter.

[sirwired]

I won't lie; when you first get them on, it's going to feel weird. You are going to think that EVERYBODY notices them and is thinking about them, mostly because they'll be REALLY obvious to you! (They'll be really obvious to you because they are, after all, in your mouth.)

Will other people actually notice them? Yeah, probably, at least sometimes. But will it be a big deal? I don't recall anybody here reporting getting any flack from anybody other than, curiously, "friends" and family. Random people you interact with day-to-day may ask polite questions (most will say nothing), but are unlikely to do/say/think anything rude.

[djspeece]

I agree with sirwired. It's a shock when the braces are applied. The actual process is surprisingly boring, save for the fact that your mouth will be open for about 45 minutes. My ortho gave me the option to take a break, but I just wanted them on. The sooner they are on, the sooner they get taken off (I tend to over-simplify things). In my case, I was much more comfortable after about 3-4 weeks, but the first few weeks were a challenge. There is the issue of your inner cheeks being sore from rubbing on the brackets or occasionally getting scraped by a hook. Dental wax goes a long way, so don't hold back thinking it will impede progress. Oral hygiene can seem like a part-time job, since many/most of us feel the need to brush after a meal or snack -- you'll see many threads on that topic. Another issue is the low-grade but unrelenting discomfort after they are applied, and after subsequent ortho visits where powerchains are replaced and/or you get a stronger arch wire. While this varies widely, in most cases the pain gradually subsides over a couple of days, and I recommend ibuprofen in the meantime, taken as directed on the label. And finally, there is the not-so-minor issue of eating. Again, experiences vary, but you'll start with a long list of prohibited foods from the ortho, and probably add a few more based on experience; and then you will begin to sin. Yep. You'll get brave and if you're like me, and frankly I pray you're not, you will sometimes feel a bit sorry for yourself and decide you deserve a treat and of course the prohibited list contains all the good stuff. Please see oldfart's thread on "Confess Your Orthodontic Sins."
All this is not to scare you of course, but just let you know what to expect and realize that it does get better with time. I don't think many people really notice the braces; in fact in my experience more people tend to notice the Vivera retainer that I now only have to wear at night (I was debraced 11 months ago after a three year treatment.) The first few weeks are miserable. It gets better. You get sick of braces. Your ortho decides you need elastics and/or powerchains and you have to adjust to that. Not quite as bad as the initial application of braces, but still a pain in the...neck. You begin to notice changes in your teeth and are encouraged. Progress slows. You can't wait to get them off. You get them off and life goes on and you look fabulous.
You're completely normal to be concerned, but I think you can get through it. Of course you know to take your meds are directed, keep in contact with your therapist for strategies to deal with the "New you," and hang in there. Come back here and vent, share your experiences, and see that you can do it! Best of luck to you!

[jaime]

It took me a long time to work up the nerve (and money) to get braces but I found once I got started, it was more exciting than anything else. It also wasn't as big of a deal as I'd worked it up to be.

I agree with the others that the first day of braces can make you wonder what you've done to yourself, but every day it gets easier and everyday, your teeth will look better.

I have had zero negative comments about my braces. I've had them now for over 2 years and in all this time, I can only think of one instance where a stranger commented on them, and it was because she'd had braces as an adult, too. In the beginning, my friends seemed to enjoy relating their braces experiences with me.

The bottom line is, people don't care if you have braces, plain and simple.

[MissLou]

I've got a bit o' the ol' mental illness myself but my anxiety may be less severe than yours, so I'm not sure how much you'll get out of hearing my experience, but here it goes...

As soon as they had finished bonding the brackets to my teeth and took the plastic lip-guard out of my mouth, I immediately wanted to puke. Feeling those brackets on the inside of my mouth, scratching my lips, I instantly regretted my decision. It dawned on me what an enormous commitment I had just made...

On the car ride home, I was feeling a little better about the whole thing but still a lot anxious. "What will people think? What if my teeth fall out? What if I go broke and can't afford to finish my treatment? What if... What if..."

BUT by the time I got home, I was done mulling it over. I had made the right decision, I told myself, and what's done is done. Haven't really thought much more about it since. Do I care what people think? Sometimes I feel a little self-conscious, but then I tell myself that 2 years is nothing and, honestly, no one whose opinion really matters seems to give it a second thought.

tl;dr ... it's all gravy, baby!

Thank you Verso, your messages always cheer me up I fear that the day I get them fitted will be the worst! I can imagine the brackets feeling huge in my mouth and me looking in the mirror and feeling horrified at how noticeable they are... Then coming home and waiting to see my boyfriend's reaction (he is and would be supportive but if he thought I looked awful it would be written all over his face, even though he'd try to hide it).

I hope that I can adjust as well as you have.

[MissLou]

I used to get anxious about a lot, If I was the same as I was a few years ago I would be concerned about all the what ifs, but now I'm pretty much in the mood that I don't care about anything or anybody's opinion on anything, I'm gonna be myself and do what I want to do, and getting braces is definitely one of the better things I've ever done, and if anybody wants to say anything bad, they better be prepared for how unstable and mean I can be.

But really, at least in my case; people don't say very much, if they do, they are nice or its minor comments.

And yes I'm diagnosed as Bipolar (well bipolar-nos), so really I would say.

Just do what you need to, to bring yourself closer to where you want to be.

In my case I wanted to improve my smile, needed braces since over 10 years ago.

I wanted to lose weight, I got as serious as I've ever been lately, within 20 lbs of my high school weight.

And after that, I'd like to get lasik to ditch my glasses.

The first is well on its way, the second I'm trying my best at, and the third I will get to afterward.

TLDR, do things to better yourself, if people are negative remember that those people don't matter.

Those that matter don't mind and those that mind don't matter.

I can relate to your aim of bringing yourself closer to where you need to be. That's amazing about your weight loss, really impressive! I have been working towards being the person I want to be over the last few years (I am just finishing up my doctorate now) and it feels like getting the problems with my jaw and teeth fixed are part of getting healthy and being happy etc. You are so right about negative people not mattering; I need to remember this. A comment someone made about "adults with braces being pathetic/losers" on Twitter rattled me but really I know people like that aren't worth the time of day. I should stay positive and look forward to the end of the treatment and my lovely new smile.

[MissLou]

I won't lie; when you first get them on, it's going to feel weird. You are going to think that EVERYBODY notices them and is thinking about them, mostly because they'll be REALLY obvious to you! (They'll be really obvious to you because they are, after all, in your mouth.)

Will other people actually notice them? Yeah, probably, at least sometimes. But will it be a big deal? I don't recall anybody here reporting getting any flack from anybody other than, curiously, "friends" and family. Random people you interact with day-to-day may ask polite questions (most will say nothing), but are unlikely to do/say/think anything rude.

I'm not looking forward to the first day/week with them on!! I am most worried about my friends and family making "jokey" comments about them or screaming "Oh my god, you've got adult braces!!!!". I'll have to start thinking of some standard sarcastic/witty responses!

[MissLou]

I agree with sirwired. It's a shock when the braces are applied. The actual process is surprisingly boring, save for the fact that your mouth will be open for about 45 minutes. My ortho gave me the option to take a break, but I just wanted them on. The sooner they are on, the sooner they get taken off (I tend to over-simplify things). In my case, I was much more comfortable after about 3-4 weeks, but the first few weeks were a challenge. There is the issue of your inner cheeks being sore from rubbing on the brackets or occasionally getting scraped by a hook. Dental wax goes a long way, so don't hold back thinking it will impede progress. Oral hygiene can seem like a part-time job, since many/most of us feel the need to brush after a meal or snack -- you'll see many threads on that topic. Another issue is the low-grade but unrelenting discomfort after they are applied, and after subsequent ortho visits where powerchains are replaced and/or you get a stronger arch wire. While this varies widely, in most cases the pain gradually subsides over a couple of days, and I recommend ibuprofen in the meantime, taken as directed on the label. And finally, there is the not-so-minor issue of eating. Again, experiences vary, but you'll start with a long list of prohibited foods from the ortho, and probably add a few more based on experience; and then you will begin to sin. Yep. You'll get brave and if you're like me, and frankly I pray you're not, you will sometimes feel a bit sorry for yourself and decide you deserve a treat and of course the prohibited list contains all the good stuff. Please see oldfart's thread on "Confess Your Orthodontic Sins."
All this is not to scare you of course, but just let you know what to expect and realize that it does get better with time. I don't think many people really notice the braces; in fact in my experience more people tend to notice the Vivera retainer that I now only have to wear at night (I was debraced 11 months ago after a three year treatment.) The first few weeks are miserable. It gets better. You get sick of braces. Your ortho decides you need elastics and/or powerchains and you have to adjust to that. Not quite as bad as the initial application of braces, but still a pain in the...neck. You begin to notice changes in your teeth and are encouraged. Progress slows. You can't wait to get them off. You get them off and life goes on and you look fabulous.
You're completely normal to be concerned, but I think you can get through it. Of course you know to take your meds are directed, keep in contact with your therapist for strategies to deal with the "New you," and hang in there. Come back here and vent, share your experiences, and see that you can do it! Best of luck to you!

Thank you DjSpeece, I really appreciated your thoughtful reply. I am following your advice and telling myself that the sooner they are on, the sooner they are off! Today I booked an appointment to get the molds of my teeth done, so that will be happening in three days time.

Thank you for sharing your journey with me, I think it will help me to come back to your post when I first get them on. In the meantime I am trying to look after myself mentally and physically. My worry is that "small things" can send me over the edge mentally and so I need to take care of myself and not get too stressed about this brace issue. I am taking my meds and doing yoga and eating well too.

This forum is a HUGE help to me, thank you again!

[djspeece]

Onward and upward!

[MissLou]

It took me a long time to work up the nerve (and money) to get braces but I found once I got started, it was more exciting than anything else. It also wasn't as big of a deal as I'd worked it up to be.

I agree with the others that the first day of braces can make you wonder what you've done to yourself, but every day it gets easier and everyday, your teeth will look better.

I have had zero negative comments about my braces. I've had them now for over 2 years and in all this time, I can only think of one instance where a stranger commented on them, and it was because she'd had braces as an adult, too. In the beginning, my friends seemed to enjoy relating their braces experiences with me.

The bottom line is, people don't care if you have braces, plain and simple.

Thank you, that's reassuring!

[MissLou]

Hi everyone!!

I just wanted to update you all - after your helpful replies I decided to go for it. I went to see the orthodontist that I trust (rather than the cosmetic dentist who kept changing his mind about treatment plans). She took moulds of my teeth and photos yesterday and I've already had my x-rays done. So I am ready to be braced.

I decided to go for Damon Clear in the end on both arches. Now I'm actually feeling excited about it! Straight teeth will hopefully be mine within 18 months. Perhaps just a year but probably nearer 18 months.

I will keep you updated with progress. Thanks again. I don't know if I would have had worked up the courage to do this without the support and advice provided on this forum.

[djspeece]

Congratulations!

[verso]

You won't regret it. Good luck and keep us posted!