Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi all,
So, today was the big day. I got my top row of braces. I have Inspire Ice brackets and I really like them.

The process only took about 40 mins and was painless. 6 hours on i'm feeling some sensitivity inside my lips and cheeks, I have wax and i'm definitely going to have to use it. I can feel some pushing and pulling on my teeth which I love- it feels like things are going to start moving
I wasn't expecting for them to feel SO HUGE! It feels like they stick out about a mile
I just ate humous and pitta bread and that was fun, more food in my brackets than went down my throat lol! I'll get the hang of it hopefully

Any and all tips for the coming days from the more seasoned brace facers welcome

How were the first few days?

I think the first 5 days or so were really rough for me. Then it like ... all went away. Then I had an adjustment, it all came back

Now, like every few days my teeth will hurt for like 12 hours. It's weird. And awesome. Because I see a lot of movement!

Hi Emily,
Well, i'm a week and 1 day in and so far it's not been so bad I have general aching in all my top teeth, some more than others. If i bite down I feel a little creak and crack here and there and definitely some movement in one tooth.
I'm feel like the bands are going yellow so i've decided to give up tea and coffee I can't stand the thought of a big yellow smile! Not sure if i'll ask for coloured bands next time or would that defeat the purpose of the clear brackets? Decisions.....

How long have you had yours?

40 minutes?! Lucky! Mine took 2 1/2 hours on Tuesday. Super sore yesterday. I ate dinner in tears but? Today feels a little better! Hope it's going well for you!

Hi 44yobraceface....regarding the discolored ligs from coffee and tea I have two suggestions..
One is to ask your ortho if you can go in for a refresh on the ligs in between adjustments if they get too dirty. My other suggestion is to find straws for hot beverages either in a store or online. I absolutely refused to give up coffee...ha ha... I am not sure where you are from but we have Dunkin Donuts shops in the US and they actually sell the straws there. It was a huge help in keeping the clear ligs a little cleaner longer. They will yellow anyway with time but coffee was really horrible on them. Good luck!

@Katiemillar: I only got my tops so maybe that's why mine were so quick? I hope you've had a good weekend with them x

Bracesat57, thanks for the tip- I too refuse to give up coffee, I decided against it haha! Sadly my ortho said they charge £15-£20 to change the bands outwith adjustments. Pretty mean of them I think! I've read others who can go in and get them changed often at no extra cost.
I'd learn to change them myself but i've read it can affect the treatment- anyone know if this is true??

First 3/4 days were awkward for me, then it got much better. I started forgetting I had them in about 1 month in.

I'm 2 weeks in and Ian just starting to feel normal again. I had a rough first week due to having my braces installed over the 4th of July weekend and trying to eat on vacation. Aside from the canker sore in my tongue from constant bracket rubbing I am almost pain free now. I'm 36 and this is my second time around with braces due to not wearing my retainers properly. The first was 20 years ago and I don't remember it being as rough as my first 2 weeks this time. 2 weeks down, 16 months to go.