Beginning my brace journey at 20

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#1 Post by **guji girl** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 5:54 am

Hi guys!

I am 20 years old and have recently decided to pluck up the courage and finally get my teeth sorted out. I went in for my initial consultation sometime in april and about a week ago i decided to hand in my consultation form so I can get things started!

I had two premolars from the top set extracted the day before yesterday. After the extraction my mouth wouldnt stop bleeding for ages so I went back to the dentist and he put something (fibres?) in the sockets. Now it looks as though something soft and white is coming out from them. Is this normal? Has anyone else experienced this? The dentist did say that the fibres may stay there but it wont be a problem, but I'm just hoping its not an infection!

More to the point I am going to be braced on the 23rd September! Im quite worried yet excited at the same time. Im going to have metal braces at the top and the bottom, so will officially be a metal-mouth soon! I just want the whole process over and done with as soon as possible! The expected treatment time is 18 to 24 months.

I never had braces done as a child due to the fact that my dentist thought I would have to have an operations before the braces go on. I was really scared at the time and my teeth did not as bad as they do now. My dentist and ortho think that the operation is not needed at the moment however if a problem does occur I may need to have the operation (but I really really wish I dont have to.) Now my teeth look real bad, the front two teeth are overlapping and i have an overbite. I have also had root canal treatment done to one of the front teeth and it has also chipped so i have half a fake tooth! I hate my teeth they look dreadful. O well at least I am trying to do something to sort them out.

The majority of people I have told that I am getting braces done have been really supportive. However one or two people have told me that I dont need to get it done, but I really think that I do. I will be going back to University the week after the braces are on and I am hoping people will not really notice I have braces on.

I just wanted to share my experience with you guys and I will continue to do so. Its great reading other peoples stories as well, its a great inspiration.

#2 Post by **guji girl** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 5:41 am

Arghh.... it b-day tomorrow! Im having mixed emotions about this at the moment.

Any advice for tomorrow?

#3 Post by **jaswi** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 3:18 pm

Pee before sitting down, you'll be there awhile. Relax. Take some tylonal, but the pain usually doesn't start really till that night, or the next morning. The pain goes away in a few days.

#4 Post by **catfish** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:42 pm

Hey guji girl, thanks for stopping by my story!

So tomorrow is the big day - congrats! I hear you on the cold feet. I wondered if I was doing the right thing even as I sat in the chair and had the braces put on. Now I look back and think, "what was I worried about?" I think it's mostly a fear of the unknown. Now that I'm halfway through the process, it's really no big deal. It's just normal stuff.

I'll be thinking about you tomorrow. You'll do fine, you'll see after it's all over. Good luck, and congrats again on doing the right thing for yourself!!

#5 Post by **guji girl** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 3:22 am

Jaswi - Thanx for the advice

Catfish - Thats no problem. Yep I still am a little nervous. Im going in at 4.15 so still got a few more hours. I cant wait till its all over, but in the end I know it will be worth it. Thats the only thing keeping me going as I go through the treatment. Thank you!

#6 Post by **Arbywhopper** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:22 am

Good luck and let us all know how it went!!! We are all waiting to hear!!!

#7 Post by **guji girl** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 5:27 am

Hi guys!!

Well it wasn't as bad as i thought it would be!! I got to the ortho's surgery, handed in a few bits and bobs of paper which I had to fill in and then awaited to be called into the room...so I waited for about 5mins and it was my turn.

As I walked in, I thought to myself... Im doing the right thing, Im doing the right thing, over and over in my head. So, I sat on the chair, and he put on the cheek retractor, which wasn't really all that bad. Then he stuck that tube in my mouth. The whole way through I decided to close my eyes and concentrate on my breathing, which helped me relax. It all took about 20mins for the top and bottom to be attached which I thought was real quick. It was completely painless.

He then took the cheeck retractor out and my mouth felt hugee! I had a look in the mirror and I looked so horrid!...That was the worst part of the whole process. The whole way home I was exploring my mouth with my tongue and it just felt so weird.

So far no real pain at all (touch wood), I can just feel pressure on my teeth, so its all good. I had mashed potatoe that night for my dinner, I just sticking to soft food for a while now. I tried to eat crisps the other day but it was so hard to bite so I gave up and plus I didn't want my bracket to pop out!

At the moment my mouth feels quite tender and sore and lips feel quite dry so I'll just apply some Vaseline to them.

The only thing I am worried about now is seeing people for the first time. Nobody expect my family at home have seen me. I am going in to Uni on Monday and I am dreading everyones first reaction!

I will post again soon...

#8 Post by **guji girl** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 3:57 am

#9 Post by **Arbywhopper** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 6:02 am

I'm glad that everything went okay!!! How did your family react?? I hope everything is going good!! Keep us posted!! I go for my second consultation on October 1st, and i'm feeling the same way, really nervous and wondering if i'm doing the right thing!! But in the end it will all be worth it!!

#10 Post by **guji girl** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 8:18 am

Thank you Arbywhopper! Well my family react really well to it, so I am really pleased. I went in to Uni today as well and I dont think many people noticed. Only a couple of my close mates noticed and were very sweet about it so I am very happy. Good luck for your consulation, you are doing the right thing... trust me. It will definately be worth it in the end!

It's almost been a week in braces (tomorrow) and it's all gone very well. I haven't experience any pain, but sometimes I can really feel the pressure on my teeth. I get quite worried when I can't feel the pressure and it feels like nothing is actually on my teeth! Eating has become a chore and so has the brushing. Im sure I'll get use to it!

#11 Post by **Arbywhopper** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 9:30 am

I'm so glad that everything went well!!!!!

I'm scared and nervous about Wednesday. It seams like it is taking forever!! I just want it to be here so I know what going to happen so i can stop being so scared and nervous. $+\+$ Everyone says that eating gets better and so does brushing and flossing.

I hope everything goes well and I hope you keep us updated!

-Arby

#12 Post by **guji girl** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 10:59 am

Awhh.. dont be worried Arby. It will be ok. Let us know how you get on.

#13 Post by **guji girl** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 1:42 pm

Whoo.. its been 2 weeks since I've been braced. So far no problems. Eating has became easier, Im getting use to it now. Brushing after every snack/meal is a pain.. well makes me want to eat less, so Im dropping the pounds! I've only had to use the wax twice, i thought i would have used more by now. Two weeks have gone real fast, but I like to think of it as half a month!

#14 Post by **flesh-was-sweet** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 1:44 pm

Hi guji girl!

Glad to hear all is going well!

The time will fly past

#15 Post by **guji girl** » Tue Oct 07, 2008 1:56 pm

Yep i hope so!! Cant wait!