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#1 Post by **Lakester** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 4:28 pm

Well I finally did it!

I got my upper bonding done today. It really wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.

Let me tell ya, I was sooo nervous.

So the assistant and I were chatting for a while, and here I thought we were waiting for the ortho to come in. Finally after talking for 15 minutes, she asked me if I was ready lol! I felt silly for rambling on for so long. But honestly it helped to calm me down.

I was anticipating torture devices and hot glue guns on my teeth -- nothing like that at all. The thingie that holds your mouth open isn't pleasant per se, but not so terrible. My throat got really dry from holding my mouth open for so long. The thingie has a constant vacuum-like sucking to keep saliva from building up so I couldn't swallow like normal, hence the dry throat. A drink of water afterwards took care of that pronto. But that was the worst of it, who knew?

I can't eat yet -- just soup and soft stuff -- great excuse to eat as much chocolate pudding as I want too. But the flossing is a challenge as I figured it would be. Still dreading the pain but for now I'm doing just great...

#2 Post by **wired nana** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 7:43 pm

Yea! I'm happy everything went well, and that it wasn't as bad as you had anticipated. The flossing is not as easy as w/o braces, but you'll get faster at it in no time.

#3 Post by **Donna** » Thu Jul 22, 2010 8:51 pm

Congrats!! When do you get your lowers on?

#4 Post by **Sandpiper** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 5:02 am

Welcome to the gang, and really glad it was not so bad. I'm sure you will find the rest of your journey fine as well.....good luck, and keep us posted!

#5 Post by **Lakester** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 7:48 am

Thanks everyone -- I genuinely appreciate the support!

I'm having my coffee through a straw this morning. I had one incident during the night where I must have been attempting to grind my teeth and my canine shot pain in my mouth and woke me up immediately

So I took a Tylenol and went back to sleep. So far this morning, so good. How are yours doing Sandpiper, wired nana and Donna?

I won't be getting my lowers on for a few months. I'm not sure why the long delay but that's ok.

Call me crazy but I love how they look. I really do. Maybe it's because I know I'm fixing my smile but I'm proud to show them off, anyone else feel like this?

#6 Post by **rhomboid** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 1:10 pm

Lakester, It took me longer to like the way they look, I accepted it but can't say that liked was part of the equation. I have been braced in all metal full uppers/lowers for over 9 mos now and actually like the look but that is because they are pretty straight and have a settled in look. Time will make yours even more attractive; it's impressive & fortunate that you are so unself-conscious & adjusted. You will do well.

#7 Post by **Lakester** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 1:32 pm

Thanks rhomboid!

I have been so self-conscious about my teeth most of my life, so it is nice to know I'm on my way to a better smile. And I had been afraid of getting braced for so long that I'm proud I mustered up the guts to finally go ahead and do it -- my braces are kind of like a badge of courage

)

I'm glad you adjusted to your new look now, are you used to how they feel now as well?

I will be getting metal on the bottoms when I go back. Any warnings as to problem foods? I ate some broccoli soup and you can probably guess what resulted. It was crazy trying to rid my mouth of all of those green specks lol...

#8 Post by **wired nana** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 7:21 pm

I won't getting my lower front teeth braced until around November. I have a lot of crowding in the front and the teeth on the sides have to move back in order for the front teeth to have space to move into.

I found another food not to eat - coconut. Ate some candy with coconut yesterday and it was a disaster! Just the right size to get into all the nooks and crannies.

#9 Post by **rhomboid** » Fri Jul 23, 2010 8:58 pm

Lakester, you are right having braces installed on your teeth as an adult does take guts for anyone & that is probably different for each of us. My largest concern was the social aspect especially at work. This was probably for several reasons, but not the least of which was that my teeth were only minimally crowded yet enough that I needed correction. I figured others would think that I had lost my mind & also somewhat questioned that to myself. That ceased to bother me in short enough order & I now view mysel just like anyone else w/ braces. Funny thing is how I totally underestimated some of the other undesirable effects and that was after having had four kids with braces. My youngest had braces before me until he graduated into a retainer. He humorously warned me about food retention which relates to your question concerning broccoli specs. Most anything that you eat is going to pack in, that is just the way it is. Maintaining proper hygiene is critical. Among other things a Waterpic is a must. I laugh at the whole experience & figure an added benefit is how all of this makes you stronger while having fun.

#10 Post by **Lakester** » Sat Jul 24, 2010 8:46 am

Well this is proving to be an interesting ride. I have to give a presentation at school next week, and if no one notices my braces, they'll sure notice the lisp that is persisting

Wired nana I have lots of crowding on my bottom teeth also. My lower chompers are going to take a lot of work I'm afraid. They overlap every which way plus a stray tooth that's sitting in front of his neighbor that I call my shark tooth (wonder what he's gonna do with that one). Do you have to have spacers or anything?

And thanks for the tip on coconut -- I haven't attempted candy yet (although I want too) so I'll avoid Almond Joys for now.

Rhomboid all three of my kids had braces too. I guess I didn't pay that much attention to the challenges they faced either because I have no recollection of them in the bathroom flossing for a half an hour! Yep, I had no idea. Or that I would have to find patience to have my lunch take the better part of an hour to smash, chop and otherwise manipulate, oy vey.

I know what you mean about thinking people will wonder if you've lost your mind. I'm hesistant to tell my mom because I know for sure that's what she'll think. She's not about things of the "vanity" nature (which explains why I'm getting braced as an adult). I'm glad you overcame that, hopefully before too long I will too.

#11 Post by **Sandpiper** » Sun Jul 25, 2010 12:38 pm

Hey Lakester,

Great to hear that you are liking the braces! I can sympathise with Rhomboid - my teeth are not too crooked, but I do have a bad crossbite, which has progressively caused me pain in the muscles at the side of my face. So others can't really understand about why I am wearing braces if my teeth aren't too bad.

My top tip....don't use a disclosing tablet on a weekday lunchtime. I had to sit through an afternoon meeting with purple lips....not a good look!!

#12 Post by **Lakester** » Sun Jul 25, 2010 5:32 pm

Hello Sandpiper!

Please excuse my ignorance but what is the purple tablet you took for? However, I do understand the purple lips/tongue because one of my berry smoothies sort of turned my lips bluish and you are correct not a good look to sport

So far things have been pretty good. I think you said it was a long week because you were constantly thinking about your braces -- yep, me too. Every five seconds it seems. They are like a part-time job right now.

And, I finally attempted to eat a peice of pizza today. It was quite messy and took over a half an hour (good gracious) but I did enjoy it. I have been best friends with mashed potatoes and soup mostly. The foods I miss most are my spinach salad and baked chicken. My teeth are still a little too tender in the front to attempt leafy greens or meat yet. Are you back to a regular diet now?

#13 Post by **rhomboid** » Sun Jul 25, 2010 8:54 pm

You guys are funny; although not recommended by your Ortho it wont't be too long before you can eat hard pretzels using the inside surfaces of your molars. The green leafy stuff will always plague you, but you will find methods to keep your hardware clean and pristine.

#14 Post by **Lakester** » Tue Jul 27, 2010 6:44 am

Well hello rhomboid,

Hard pretzels -- I'm drooling! That sounds so good and to be able to crunch again. I miss pretzels and chips. I'm obsessed about food right now, probably even more so than the braces. I'm hun-gar-y. I can't bite down as the front 6 are tender so everything has to be chopped/diced and sent to the two molars that are functional on either side. Which is keeping me quite limited to my choices so soup continues to be my main staple. And hummus on saltines was a new find. I appreciate you letting me know it's only a matter of time -- I'm startin to tap my foot a little

How's it going with you rhomboid?

#15 Post by **Sandpiper** » Tue Jul 27, 2010 1:24 pm

Hi Lakester,

A disclosing tablet is one that shows up any plaque on your teeth - you use it to check you are getting them properly clean. I use mine about once a week....and never at work......now!!

My diet is almost back to pre-braces - I can eat pretty much anything with care, which is great. However, first adjustment is next week, so I expect to back to some tenderness again after that.....I'll let you know!