Living with braces

Message

#1 Post by **Zoso** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 10:16 pm

I'll be in them in about 11 days.

I go to school and/or work 5 nights a week, so I eat out 5 times a week right before walking into work or school.

Could I get away with just a thorough mouthwash? We're only talking 3-4 hours at work or school here. I would brush when I get home.

I don't think I need to compare the normalcy of brushing vs. rinsing in public. The latter says "I have a hot date or a big interview," while the former is potentially sociopathic to an outside observer.

#2 Post by **Bellalalala** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 9:49 am

Seriously, nobody will care that you are brushing your teeth in public.
They certainly won't think you are crazy.
I've been brushing my teeth after drinking coffee in public for years and I never get so much as a second glance.
At most, people just say that it's a good idea and they should probably start doing the same.

Good oral hygiene is generally pretty well respected by the general public. Most people wished that they had the discipline to take better care of their teeth.

Lighten up.
After a couple of weeks, the whole thing will feel completely normal to you.

#3 Post by **lt81** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 3:16 pm

I felt a total plonker the first few times brushing my teeth in public but trust me - no one cares at all. Also, I have occassionally if not able to brush used chewing gum/mouthwash but the smell that then comes from your mouth from getting stuff stuck between your teeth and the aligner is far worse than the chance that someone thinks your odd for brushing your teeth in public!

#4 Post by **Wireless** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 4:52 pm

I carry a prepasted toothbrush or Colgate "Wisp" when I know I'll be out for more than a few hours. The biggest problem in public restrooms is the warm water - not the people. I have no problems brushing my teeth or aligners in a public restroom. At first I was self-conscious but after a few months I'm over it. You'll also find you are not the only person with a dental problem.

You'll probably need to try different ideas to see what works best for you and your lifestyle. I'm not sure I would recommend mouthwash - it won't remove the food particles and could cause staining. Even when I brush on the run, I try to do a thorough job when I get home to be sure I get everything out that is trapped between my teeth.

#5 Post by **smilesunset** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 7:07 pm

So brushing your teeth in public is "potentially sociopathic to an outside observer"???

Huh??

I brush my teeth everywhere, from restaurant bathrooms to interstate gas stations to transatlantic aircraft restrooms. I can assure you, I am in no way "sociopathic" and the implication is frankly a little insulting. You might want to look up the meaning of "sociopathic".

Brush your teeth. It's normal. If you don't, there's a good chance you'll get little pieces of food stuck between your aligners and your teeth and, after an hour, you and people around you will notice. I respect you for asking for advice, but please consider the implications of your question to people who are required to brush their teeth in public places several times a day.

#6 Post by **Zoso** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 7:26 pm

I mean if you're brushing your teeth in public, you're either (a) getting ortho work done, or (b) you're some kind of nutjob with OCD.

The problem is strangers see you and (a) may or may not occur to them, so then you default to (b) in their minds. Am I wrong?

#7 Post by **myhollywoodsmile** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 3:05 am

?Yep, wrong.

btw are you in any way related to the zoso on the bracesreview board? A strange coincidence if not..

#8 Post by **drrick** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 8:17 am

I have seen numerous people brushing in airport bathrooms and I always pay them a nice compliment about it.

No big deal.

#9 Post by **Zoso** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 8:55 am

I can see that. But then again the airport bathroom is in an entirely different class of bathroom. More things fly in there, whereas say a mall or a restaurant bathroom, it's just and in-and-out facility with no funny stuff.

#10 Post by **Zoso** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 8:57 am

myhollywoodsmile wrote:?Yep, wrong.

btw are you in any way related to the zoso on the bracesreview board? A strange coincidence if not..

No I'm not. This is indeed a disturbing universe.

#11 Post by **Wireless** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 9:29 am

The real question is are you committed to doing what it takes to fix your dental concerns, even if it involves doing things with which you are uncomfortable?

In my case, I have to deal with my aligners and brush teeth in restrooms at customer locations as well as in airports and restaurants. I'm also a member of a bicycle club and have to deal with all of this among a group of riders. I've found nobody is really concerned and also found out a male customer older than I am (male - age 60) is also an Invisalign patient. I drive to my orthodontist driving an old red pickup truck and sit in the waiting room with 13 year olds - not exactly an ortho patient image!!

I've had braces twice before - once as an adult - and was determined coming into this that I would never wear them again. My dentist basically gave me only one option (I'm sure there were other choices that I don't want to know anything about!!) so I reluctantly signed up. While this isn't what I wanted to do, it's much better than my alternatives!!

Any ortho treatment involves inconvenience. However, so do other dental problems such a bridges, dentures, implants, night splints etc., that can require additional hygene. When you start treatment, you'll probably find most people have some dental issues and few have trouble free teeth.

You need to decide if going through with Invisalign is worth the hassle or are you better off with your teeth in their present condition.

#12 Post by **Zoso** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 9:32 am

I just want to have straight teeth while sacrificing nothing along the way. Is that too much to ask?

#13 Post by **kezzakattami** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 12:34 pm

In a word, yes! Those of us who were not blessed with naturally straight teeth do have to sacrifice our time and other things during the quest for our dream smile. I've never heard of an orthodontic process which does not take some dedication and perseverence....I guess it just comes down to how much you want it

#14 Post by **Zoso** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 12:45 pm

I only have 16 aligners. It shouldn't be too arduous.

Upper before

Upper after

Lower before

Lower after

#15 Post by **Wireless** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 2:31 pm

If anyone figures out a way to align teeth that doesn't involve inconvenience or sacrifice, let me know - I'll be at my ortho's office tomorrow changing treatment plans!!

Good luck - 16 trays should go fairly quickly.