Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi everyone!

I just got my braces after years of "will I, won't I".

When I was a kid I realised I would need braces, so I went on a begging mission.
My parents rather wisely told me to pay for them myself, but of course I felt I had better things to spend my money on...

Long story short, I'm in my 20s, just had spacers for 3 torturous days.
Not meaning to sound like a complete sissy but it was really quite awful.
The worst part for me was being unable to sleep at all.
Unfortunately the only thing on earth I'm allergic to is every class of painkiller from opiates to salicylates to codeine to aspirin.

I also have the misfortune to live in the most sarcastic country on earth.
I literally had one guy laugh at me in the street.
I'm a 6'6 guy of fairly athletic build, so far I just growl at them and they tend to move away quite quickly...

So thats me!

Hi cros13

I'm originally from Dublin. Ireland, sarcastic, no!! (Joke) Sorry to hear you are having pain from the spacers, I luckilly didn't have them with my brace (I have the brace 2 weeks now) but I know that most people have them and say that they are terrible. Hopefully you won't need them for too long.

I'm curious about the guy who laughed at you, he couldn't have seen the spacers? Have you got your braces now? Anyway pay no attention to people like that, you are doing a really good thing for your teeth and oral health which will pay off in the long term.

Hope you're feeling better soon.
Regards
Joney

Hi everyone and thanks for the positive comments and advice!

Unfortunately its 5:45 AM here and I'm in really quite serious pain, I can no
longer move my jaw. Another night of sleep lost.

Thanks god I quit my job last month(I'm studying for my professional exams)
I would not be able to commute this morning...

I have an appointment with my ortho for 11AM, At the moment I'm just wondering why I did this to myself... I'm definitely not this vain.....

To answer Linda's question as to painkillers the one painkiller I'm not allergic to has been taken off the market here I'm afraid...

EDIT: Sorry just to clarify I got the braces in yesterday, the moron I met just as I left my orthodontists...

The first week really is the worst! You'll forget they're even there in a few weeks-promise!! (I know you dont believe me!) Just remember to keep on the wax if they're rubbing, and imagine that wonderful smile you're going to end up with!

The worst is nearly over (the adjustments are never as bad afterwards as the first time!), I always like to reccomend red wine to help people through the first week, but maybe yuo'd prefer a guinness!! I works just as well!

Bex
XxXxXx

hi cros13,

Im sorry about your jaw. After getting my braces on, my jaw wouldnt move for a week. It's been 6 weeks now, and I had another week long bout of not being able to fully open my mouth.

Try doing 20 minute ice packs to your jaw/face/near your ear... Alternate with warm, moist packs after 20 minutes.

good luck!!

Hey Cros13!

Firstly, congrats on taking the plunge. You've made the hardest choice so now you just gotta sit back and let the braces do their thing.

I can completely relate to what you're going through with the sarcasm thing. I was at the pub on Friday night when some lousy guy was trying (for about 2 hours) to get my number. When my boyfriend finally turned up after finishing work, this guy conceded that he "didn't want me anyway because I had braces".

Some people just have nothing better to do than dwell upon other people's imperfections. Braces aren't forever, being a supreme idiot is

Best of luck with your treatment and keep us posted with your progress!

Hi everyone!

Sorry for the delay in replying, but I decided I needed a vacation so I spent a relaxing 2 weeks in South Africa.
Got my braces sorted, turns out my jaw was reacting rather violently.
It's taken until now but the pain has finally receded.

Thanks for all the advice, salt water and ice helped a great deal.

cros13 good luck with your braces. Soon you'll find yourself forgetting they're even there. PS you are so funny! Hang in there!

Hi cros13

I was worried about you, glad you're back and great that you had a holiday. Hopefully everything will be plain sailing from here on in, I'm sure you're over the worse.

Regards
Joney

I'm not in unbearable pain, but my mouth is a little sore. Unfortunately, I don't have any Tylenol on hand.

Only one more week with spacers in. Woot!