24 from UK... had my braces fitted on Monday (6th Dec 2010)

[holly]

Hello All,

I am Holly from A place called Yorkshire in England, Uk. I am 24 years old and had my 'ugly betty' style braces fitted on Monday 6th December 2010.

So, day 2 and i still havent eaten solid food, i tried a biscuit last night dipped in a cup of tea, but it hurt so much and i didnt like the feeling of all the crumbs so i am sticking with liquids for now.
Hopefully this will ease over the next couple of days?

Ive used lots of wax and i feel really consious at work today (my first day back since)

I have got braces due to i have a funny bite, when i close my mouth i only bite down with 2 teeth 1 at the top left and the other bottom left. I had noticed this growing up that i could put my tounge throiugh the gap inbetween my teeth when my mouth was closed and it did both me but i just assumed that that was the way i was and there was nothing that could be done.

That was until i moved dentist, and straight away the new dentist picked up on it and reffered me to the hospital. After a year of various appointments and decision making, i now finally have braces on and will be having an operation to take 3mm off each of the bottom and top right hand side of my jaw in July 2012. (after 18 month of braces)

So if i think the pain is bad now i am sure in for a shock after the op i bet!

Been routing through the internet before finding this site and decided to join as i feel i have no one to talk to about how i am feeling been age 24 with braces, its an odd time as i feel i look now like a 15 year old.

Looking forward to hearing from some other people going through the same experiances as me.

Holly

[BraceFace2o1o]

Hey Holly! I am 24 years old and from the UK too... and I keep reminding myself it's never too late to have braces, but a big part of me still wishes I'd had this done in my teens. All I know is I can't wait to have straight teeth!

My teeth were pretty damn sore for the first 5 days, but gradually they got better. The soreness didn't completely go until about week 2, but I was able to eat more solid stuff after about a good week. For the first week I lived of soup, mash, yogurts and ice cream... that was my choice though, you don't have to. Honestly, my teeth were ridiculously sore and I really didn't it expect that. Pain medication did help a bit, but I am not the type to take much medication... I'd rather live without it if I can.

Give it a few more days and hopefully you will be able to eat better

[Sandpiper]

Hi Holly,

I am 43 going on 15, and am now about a third of the way through my journey (hopefully). I had quite a bad crossbite which made my face look very lopsided. At the moment I am braced on the uppers, and have worn a palate expander for 9 weeks (my lovely ortho has taken it out for Christmas, bless him!). I may well get reunited with it in the new year, and my bottom teeth are due to be braced in Feb.

I found the pain from the braces generally wears off after a few days....although I did find the palate expander could be pretty miserable at times. However, it is encouraging to see progress, and hopefully you will see some very soon. Take pictures along the way, and you'll be amazed at what a few weeks or months can do! Good luck with your journey.

PS my husband is from Yorkshire.

[Ellebraced]

Hi Holly

Congratulations on getting your braces. I am getting them next week, have spacers in now.

I decided against surgery, I don't have the extra $4,000 and would rather spend the money on a nice vacation when my braces are off.

Good luck, let me know how the first few days are. I have a Christmas party to go to 2 days after I am braced and am worried I might not be able to eat anything and will look at bit weird.

Take care

Elle

[holly]

Thankyou for all the feedback, im on day 4 and the pain seems to be a little less today... i had my first solid meal last night - mash potato and mince meat.
I got some mouth rinse stuff called difflam which numbs your mouth it is fantastic, i would reccomend it from your local pharmacy.

I am pretty lucky living in the UK that i dont have to pay for my braces or operation. Normally this is only avaliable to people under the age of 18, however because my bite is now affecting the way i eat, the work is been done under the NHS free. The braces have to be put on before the operation so not for cosmetic reasons, more health reasons.
I am very grateful as i know people pay thousands and thousands for this procedure.

I notice i am still talking slightly funny as my braces keeps getting caught on my cheeks.

It is my work christmas party next thursday.. not sure how i will get on with the food, but hopefully i will have gained a little more confidence by then i keep telling myself 'sod it' they are here and they are staying, so what if people see. but then again i keep trying to cover them. Im feeling very confused

[holly]

p.s to Ellebraced

I had spacers 2 weeks before the braces they hurt me too!!