Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi! I'm 45 year old female and just got braces yesterday. I had read a lot on this website over the past month. I've had crowded teeth my whole life even though I'm missing one bicuspid (it just never existed). One of my front upper teeth is getting pushed further and further out. A couple of my bicuspids are pointed. My mouth is very small.


Last week I had 4 teeth extracted. I had no pain after the extraction except soreness from the novocaine shots. I had braces put on top and bottom yesterday. Today I had to go back because two brackets popped off ceramic caps, so they put spacers in and next week I go back to have bands put on those teeth. I'm in no pain unless I forget and bite something like a banana.

They put something on my back teeth to keep them from coming completely together. I think they said that was to keep me from knocking the brackets off when I chew. I'm not sure how I will ever chew something that is not soft like bread.

I'm so happy to be a metal mouth!

Hey! Just wanted to welcome you and say congrats on your braces! I am 44, and have had mine a little over a month! I can't wait to see the crowding issues on my bottom teeth go away, and my front teeth be in perfect alignment. I hope things keep going well for you!

Hi and welcome pitterpat.

Being 45 and in braces will be no trouble at all. (I'm turning 40 soon). Sure takes a while to adjust to the new hardware in the mouth but you'll get there.

//Wired

Congrats! I'm in the 40+ club too.
How are others reacting to your new look?

Hey, and hip hip hooray! Sincere congrats!! I'm just a few years behind you, and getting braces is one the best things I've ever done. Couldn't be happier with my journey, and you'll be feeling that way soon too.

The worst is over for you... it will get better and better from here. I remember thinking that I would never be able to eat solid foods again. After a month or so I munching away on chips and just about everything else that I wanted. You just need to cut foods up in smaller pieces, it's all very manageable.

I had something put on two of my molars too - some glue to add a bit of height so that my brackets would not hit each other. It was awkward at first but you get used to them. I eat whatever I want now and they don't hold me back.

Huge congrats to you - you should be so proud of yourself! Go ahead and give yourself a huge pat on the back!!

Hi! I'm 43 and just got braces yesterday. I had braces 27 yrs ago, but have been obsessing over my overbite (not sure when it came back) the past 10 yrs. After my 2 teens were out of braces I figured it was time for me to go in for a consult at least. I had 4 teeth extracted when I was 16 so thank goodness there was no need to do more extractions this time around.
My treatment is supposed to take 2 yrs.
It's so heartening to hear of other adults 40+ in braces! This site is awesome

Today is day 15 for me. I'm adjusting pretty good. Today I ate salad!

I noticed a few teenagers have done a double take when they see my braces LOL

A couple of my co-workers are amazed that I would get braces. "WHY? Why go through that pain and trouble?" I think they were trying to say "at your age why do that". LOL --- Because I am old enough to realize it will be worth the pain and 2 years isn't that long of a time.

I can tell a few of my teeth have moved a bit

Welcome and Congratulations. Getting braces as an adult is a major step. I'm 33 and had my braces placed yesterday. It took me about 17 years to take this step so its no looking back now.

I am slowly getting adjusted to having so much metal in my mouth.

I LOVE to smile and laugh. So now that they are own I am looking forward to having an even better smile in 2 years. I hope to post a few pictures soon.

Again Welcome.

Congrats on the braces!

I'm 44 and have had my braces on for 3 weeks now and I can honestly say that I hardly notice them at all in my daily life. When I talk and smile of course I notice because of my lips moving over the braces but even that is nothinglike it was when I first got them.


Use a good chapstick like Burt's Bees, it will help your lips move over the braces.

Hi and congrats to us all for taking this big step!
Toni is right - Burt's Bees is great.
I'm looking fwd to hearing how everyone's progress is going since I am in the same age/timeline as you (though I know our cases are all diff). Still, it's comforting to know others are going through the same thing as I am.
Have a bright and shiny weekend all!
Chris

Hi All. I'm 45 and getting braces in about a month. Tell you the truth I'm a little nervous and I've come to this forum to learn about other people's experiences and tips and suggestions.

8 days until I get mine put on - traditional metal braces. I've already had 6 teeth pulled (4 wisdom teeth and two canines) over the years, so I'm hopeful that I won't need any more extractions. My major goals are to fix my midline (3mm off) and straighten out my top teeth, but my Orth wants to fix my 60% overbite and straighten out my lower teeth as well.

Kudos for starting the journey - hoping it all goes well for you!

Welcome! I'm an over-40 too and into my 6th month I'm not regretting it at all.
My teeth sound similar to yours I had 4 pulled too and so far into my treatment not too much pain except for during adjustments. My eyes water a little but the pain is gone by the time I leave the orthodontist.
It helps that the tech that works on me makes me laugh too.
Keep us posted!