I'm joining the club in 2 days!!!!

[mia_cro]

Hi guys!

You have a first member from Croatia!
I'm 23 and after 2 extractions I'm ready to be "wired" in 2 days...
I'm sooo nervous and got a bottle of Advil in stand-by mode...
Let me just tell you how is the situation in Cro:
I live in Dubrovnik,my periodontologist is in Zagreb (capital) and orthodolongist in Mostar (in Bosnia- different state) but is coming every month to town to visit patients. Few pharmacies I've visited never heard of orthodontic wax I wanna buy, so my friend is trying to get some in Zagreb for me... Cost? I'll spend little over 3 montly salaries-round 2500$
Reason why I'm getting braces is peridontal problems with gingivitis and receeding gums plus 12 mm of overjet and lot of compression that probably is causing the first two. I just have a really small jaw and lot of teeth...

Since I work in tourism, I was not too crazy about the idea of smiling with braces so I got the ceramic ones in hope they won't stain.
I dont smoke or drink red wine so my chances are good I hope....
I'm surprised to see so many different opinions regarding this topic...

Also, everyone I know kept chewing gums while wearing braces and didn't have any problems. Anyone with different experiences?

Next time you hear from me I guess I'll be heavily sedated!

[mia_cro]

I cannot believe I was so nervous...over nothing!!!!

I was running late cause I spent almost an hour waiting in the bank (had to take the money to pay the braces) and did not have time to eat lunch before my appointment. I was sure that I'll be starving for the rest of the day...

The whole thing lasted round 40 min and I do not feel too uncomfortable at all! ...or maybe not yet....Since I extracted 2nd biscupids, I've got brackets on incisors and canines only and these ugly metal rings on molars.


The orto said I can eat whatever I want as long as I dont' bite into i.e sandwiches,apples and hard food in general....Yes, he said I CAN chew gum If I want to!!!!!


The only problem is that always liked to eat small portions and 5-6 times a day but now I do not want to run to wash my teeth so often! Plus,I'm almost never home so I cant use the waterpick.I hope I wan't lose any weight (I'm one that needs extra)...

2nd appointment is april 7th when I will put the braces on bottom teeth.
Guess that will hurt a bit cause I dont need extractions (wow) and will have them all the way to the molars. Plus, my gums are receeded on bottom teeth and really sensitive. (if you ever had cleanings at periodontologist you know what I'm talking about- they stick you sth like a needle under gum line and go around every tooth inside out.... brrr..)

I hope everyone who is about to get braces gets encouraged after reading these posts cause they really made me feel better!!!!
Plus, you guys give really good advices- thanks for the lip balm tip!!!!

[Mel-UK]

Hi congrats I got my braces on on Monday. I eat lots through out the day too the last couple of days have been quite hard... I've been working at home, tomorrow will be my first day out and about... not sure what I'm going to do about food.

[dena]

welcome Mia! I get my gum caught in my braces a lot, so I tend not to chew it because I look funny trying. My orthodontist said I could pretty much eat whatever as long as i was careful.

I just wanted to say I think it's great that you're from Croatia. I am American but my family is Slovenian and we have many family friends from Croatia and Slovenia. My family is one of those that came to America and cut ties, so no one was allowed to speak anything but English. That makes me sad because I wish I could be a little closer to my heritage. In any event, just wanted to say hello. There is a Croatian writer that I really love--Slavenka Drakulic. I'm also going to my first Croatian restaurant next week. That's where my connection to Croatia ends. Happy to know you, though! Good luck!