New braces at 64 years old!

[lmbarke]

After much thought I made the decision to get braces. They were put on this morning. I've talked to other adults who have done this, and they say eating is the hardest thing. I asked my ortho/dentist if he'd wire my mouth shut so I could lose some weight. Well, I can tell that loosing weight won't be a problem. After five hours I just ate my first meal. Duh, cottage cheese and Greek yogurt. The cottage cheese was a little challenging. I can see where a blender will become my friend. I hope I live long enough to feel this was a good decision.

[Domino]

Welcome!

Congrats on making the big decision to get braces! I'll be joining you in a few weeks Everyone seems to say it's the greatest decision they've made (once they've got over the shock you described), and I'm sure you'll be no different It'll be worth the hardship in the end when your teeth are perfect and you're happy with them

I look forward to hearing how your journey goes

[lmbarke]

Good luck with the extractions. We can do this.

[kellyb]

well done! i am 2 weeks in braces and by the 4th day, i did not have any soreness at all so i could eat most things. hang in there, it will get better in a couple days

[Bracer215]

Welcome Imbark
You'll find several of us in the over 60 group here. I really thought when I went for my initial consult back in Dec 2010 that I would be told I was too old. But I have had my braces for a year now and the time has flown by. For me it was about preserving my teeth as I get older. I used a blender a LOT when I first got braced. Now I eat just about anything. I would stay away from popcorn though, which is what popped off one of my brackets.
As everyone has said many times, it does get better.

[lmbarke]

I'm so glad there are many of us over 60. My family thinks I'm crazy for doing this. I had 7 teeth that didn't even touch. I'm sort of enjoying the "no appetite" feeling.

[sea54change]

Iambarke-
I was 59 when my braces went on. Now I'm 60 and they just came off 2 weeks ago. I still can't believe my teeth when I look in the mirror in the morning. I am so glad I endured all the initial pain, the pain of the adjustments and the limitations on food. I absolutely love popcorn! However 15 months of no popcorn seemed like a small price to pay for what I have now. I lost about 5-6 lbs initially and then gained it back slowly over the past 15 months.

It is never too late to do something that will improve your smile!

[Breel]

I am 53 and just got my braces on one week ago today and had a tooth extraction 2 days ago. I also worried about getting braces at this age and people I talked to (including my adult children) acted like it was so silly. I was so happy to find this board and realize that there are lots of us older adults out there. My orthodontist actually told me that 25-30% of the people he treats are adults over 30 I have never heard anyone say they were sorry they had braces and hated their nice straight teeth - so I am sure all of this will be worth it in the end!!

So - here's to brighter and straighter smiles!!!

[lmbarke]

I had a luncheon at my house Monday and while everyone ate my delicious food, I ate yogurt. Even cottage cheese hurt too much. Today everything is getting better. I can eat softer foods. One of my friends said she had braces at 55 and it was the best thing she's done for her mouth. Yesterday at my writing class I noticed one of the 60+ ladies had braces. It is the thing to do! I bought a portable water pik and that has been a big help.

[Domino]

Great to hear eating is getting easier! Which Waterpik did you get? I'm looking at getting the Ultra, but I'm still considering different brands as well.

[sjeanine]

Congrats to all the newbies with braces! I am 55 and got my braces a little over a year ago now. At first I really questioned if I'd done the right thing...I ended up catching the flu the same day I got my braces put on so it made me feel even more miserable than I already did...Eating anything hurt for the first week...and, I was panic stricken over what I'd done to myself that first week too! But, after a few months I settled into the routine...and, most of the time I dont even realize I have them on now...It even feels weird to me when I go into the ortho and they change my wires out...when they take them off, it feels unnatural to me now and I am anxious for them to put the wire back in...Weird, I know...but it's what my mouth and brain are used to I guess....I'm sure when they come off for good that it wont take me long to get used to having them gone though! Lol I was originally told I'd only prob have them for 18 mths so, I am hoping that is still the case....I just wanted to say good luck to you all and congratulations! I also have many crowns and I wanted to improve my smile and straighten the bad teeth before I ended up with more decay and losing them! My parents couldnt afford for me to have braces as a child but does that mean we shouldn't get them now if we're able to? No! You made the right decision and who cares what anyone else thinks! It's your mouth! Lol! You are the one who needs to take care of YOU!! ; )

sjeanine

[lmbarke]

I bought a travel, battery operated water pik from CVS pharmacy for $21. It doesn't have high pressure, but it washes out the food and I can take it on trips since it is about the size of a Pyrex 2 cup measuring cup. Eating is still a challenge, but I'm getting use to eat. I got a cold right after they put them on and it is lingering. I'm anxious to have the two years past, but now feel I can do it. Linda Why not?

[loradora]

I was 56 when I got my lower teeth braced in 2010 because of crowding. After about a week I wanted to rip them off but I endured them for a year and they came off last March. It will get better and the time will go fast. Now I notice alot of my friends with crowded teeth and I'm happy that mine are nice and straight. Doctor said everything moves down and forward as you get older and it was going to get worse.

[plugnickel69]

I'm another 64 year old who will be joining you in two days!

[lmbarke]

Good, we need a support group. The good news is that I've lost some weight that I needed to lose. AND someday my teeth will be aligned. You can do it.