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Hi everyone! I'm 35 years old and just got my braces on today. I had the horrific spacers in since last Tuesday and was more than relieved to get those things out of my mouth. My appointment took almost 3 hours due to the difficulty they had getting the bands on my molars. Apparently, the spacers didn't make enough space, so it was very interesting to see just how much pressure they would use to try and get those things on! I thought my jaw was going to break at one point - ouch! Finally, after a couple of ladies attempted the last stubborn molar, they grabbed the doctor and he was finally able to do it. After that, it was a breeze! I left the ortho's office at 1pm today, it's now 7:30pm, and I have to say that so far this has been absolutely uneventful. I have clear on top and metal on the bottom - so it's not that noticeable. As I type this, I realize that I haven't seen anyone since I had them on, so maybe I'll change my perspective tomorrow after I go to work.
For dinner, I had some instant mashed potato, which was easy to eat. I'm a bit concerned about whether or not I'll ever eat anything normal for quite a while, because with my braces on I have to alter my bite and now my molars don't touch at all (how will I chew?) Any advice on this one?
Anyway, I'm glad I found this site and it's great to know that there's other adults out there going through the same thing.
I'm sorry to hear your appt. was so long but glad that you're not having any discomfort. I've had my braces for a few months and have not had any pain and have not had to take any pain relievers. You will get use to eating your normal foods. As your teeth gets use to the braces, begin to slowly bring back your normal foods in your diet (if necessary, cut your food into smaller pieces - it makes it alot easier to eat). Just in case you do have some discomfort from the braces, be sure to have some Advil/something similar with you.
I'm sure your colleagues will get use to your braces and in no time you will sometimes forget that you even have braces. Yes, this does happen. Quite often, I only think about my braces while I'm eating. Usually the first couple weeks you will hear the same type of questions (why did you get braces?; how long do you have to wear then?, etc.).
Welcome!! Well, I've had my braces on for about 3 weeks and while eating has certainly not resumed to normal per se, it does get a LOT easier after a few days. I know when you first start eating, you feel like you will never be able to eat with braces...ever, but just give it time. At times over the past 3 weeks, I've felt like my molars didn't line up properly, which made chewing difficult, but like ssfw said, cut up your pieces as small as you can and introduce harder foods back into your diet slowly.
Hi krissyvan, Glad you are here.
Eating is slow going at first, but does get better very quickly, especially in social situations. Even after 6 weeks, I find that beef and pork are still unpleasant to deal with, but very manageable if they are eaten as ground meat, e.g. meatloaf, salsibury steak, meatballs, sloppy joe and burgers without bun, (i still avoid biting into items unless very soft or use the top teeth which are unbraced to partially bite through and then the bottoms sort of rip the rest of it apart!) I am getting more aggressive lately, and it is just because I WANT something (like pizza which is a real aggravation to try to cut and eat). One thing that lots of people like to eat at first is pasta. My advice is to avoid long skinny noodles (spagehetti, lingiuni, Thai noodles) at first. They don't get chewed up really well and then the skinny little pieces get stuck down below the bottom braces at the gum line. You might have quite a little snack left after your meal! Good luck and Hope your treatment is easy. I look forward to reading your posts.
ruth
Thanks for all of the advice and suggestions - I'll use them for sure!
Well, most people at work didn't even notice (or at least they didn't say), except for those who knew I was getting them on. No big deal at all!
Still not alot of discomfort....I'm surprised about how easy it's been so far. The only minor thing is that I'm putting wax on the inside part of my mouth (where my tongue is) on all of the bands around my molars. They have some not-so-smooth edges that irritate my tongue. Good news, the wax really works and it's not a big deal at all. I'm sure I'll build up some scar tissue and then I won't have to use wax after a while?
Eating has been interesting...just a lot of soft stuff - yogurt, soup, ice cream
your tongue will build up a (tolerance?) for the rough edges... I have hooks on the inside of my upper molars for elastics and it took about a week to get used to it... salt water rinses help a lot!
As you get used to the braces (i've had mine for 3 weeks) you can slowly phase regular food back in, but of course stay away from all the usual hard/sticky/sweet foods that your ortho warned you about.
Good luck with your treatment! It'll be over before you know it.
~Victor
B-day: 02/06/07
Adjustments: 04/03/07, 05/30/07, 07/25/07, 09/18/07, 11/15/07, 01/10/08, 03/04/08, 05/08/08
Debonding: 07/01/08
18 month prognosis
Actual Treatment Time: 1 year, 4 months, 25 days
Click on the ↓↓ below for my story.
↓↓ below for my story.