BraceFace2o1o's Story

[BraceFace2o1o]

Just thought I would upload a photo of my upper braces. Not the best as it was taken on my mobile phone, but I will probably upload better photos comparing the first few days with a 1 month update picture or something.



Other than that, flossing is still a nightmare! I bought some Oral-B SuperFloss today so hopefully that will make things a little easier. I am REALLY struggling to floss my premolars and molars, I just can't get my fingers/hands/lips in the right position. I find myself getting REALLY frustrated and a little upset. I haven't managed to floss my back teeth since Wednesday! ERGH... Hopefully I will get the hang of it soon and find a technique that works, but right now it's hopeless

[ralphylad]

Yeah flossing gets easier I have mastered that one now,3 months in and can floss whole mouth quickly, keep practicing it gets easier threading foss from gum line uppwards from bottom and top

[Jay04]

Congrats on finally getting braced. Flossing does get easier. You'll be an expert in no time!

[BraceFace2o1o]

Hi ralphylad and Jay04, I managed to do a little better at flossing lastnight... so you are right, it must get easier

[BraceFace2o1o]

So I thought I would post an update, 5 days in. The aching/soreness of my teeth seems to have eased up in the past couple of days, my teeth are no longer hurting/aching when I wake up in the morning. I have now started to eat a bit more solid food (only a bit though), but although my teeth are no longer hurting 'constantly' (yay, I don't need pain killers anymore!), they do still hurt a little while chewing, but nothing like compared to before. I am still unable to chew properly though, and that's because my upper right 1st molar is still hitting on the lower molar band stopping my back teeth from meeting. I might have to give my Orthos office a call/visit and tell them about this, maybe they can adjust the lower band, seeing as it isn't actually doing anything yet as it isn't connected to any other brackets.

From my previous post/s you might have been able to tell I was just a bit upset with flossing , well, lastnight I actually managed to do a little better than the previous nights... YIPEEEE! I still didn't manage to floss EVERY single upper tooth, but I basically only left one tooth out on each side (my 1st molar), so there is a light at the end of the flossing with braces tunnel lol. I just used regular floss, as the Oral-B Superfloss I bought does NOT fit between my teeth.

I had my hair cut/styled and dyed today, unfortunately I am not keen on it (probably because the last time I had this done was April 2009 so I was TOO used to my old hair style) and while looking at myself in the mirror at the hairdressers (while trying to pretend I was happy with my new hair) I remember thinking "oh dear, I look so damn ugly... horrible new hair and these damn braces" ... I did feel rather down, but I'll get over it.

Anyway, I thought I'd upload a couple more pictures as I have been a bit lazy on that side. I didn't take any photos of my upper arch until today, 5 days in... and I just compared them with a photo taken before my braces were fitted, I wasn't execting to see any difference as I've only had them on 5 days. I know the angle is ever so slightly different, but I swear I can see a difference in my first premolars! (they are the teeth that I thought were going to have an expander to tilt them outwards):



Here is another photo from the front of my braces taken with my digital camera (excuse my dry lips):

[jensceana73]

Ok....I just have to post something here....you....are....not.....UGLY!!!! Your know how I can tell? Your lips. Those, are not the lips, of an ugly person!!!!

I think we all at some point felt very unattractive in the beggining of our brace journy. Please, I'm telling you, embrace it. Love them. Remember what the future holds, and how totally awesome your smile is going to be!!

And, if you have another "ugly" moment

Uploaded with ImageShack.us
remember you could have turned out like this!!!

[BraceFace2o1o]

Hi jensceana73

Aww thank you for stopping by and for your kind words, means alot

Even though I am slathering my lips in lip balm they are still dry! Not sure what to do, maybe I need a better lip balm

I am not feeling so bad about the braces now, and the hair too! I guess I just need time to adjust... and already I feel different, which is good.

And, if you have another "ugly" moment

Uploaded with ImageShack.us
remember you could have turned out like this!!!

oh thank God!

[BraceFace2o1o]

So I finally phoned my Orthos office to mention my upper 1st molar hitting on my lower molar band, I cannot take it anymore! . But to be totally honest, that isn't what made me phone, it's my gums. I've had recession on my left central incisor for a couple of years now, that doesn't bother me as it has pretty much stayed the same and hasn't got any worse for a couple of years. But a few months back I noticed some funky recession happening on my right central incisor (this tooth is not crooked like the left). In August it really UPSET me and I totally freaked out. I started using ome Gengigel on that gum area. Honestly, by mid November there HAD been an improvement! (I know, people always tell you, once gums receed, they don't come back down!) but I have photos to prove the improvement. But, and that's a BIG but... since mid November it's started to get worse, it's now actually worse than it was in August, so feeling really bad about it today after looking in the mirror at it . I am not sure what's causing it, I am brushing differently as the Ortho recommended (he said I was pushing my gums up by brushing wrong). I am flossing, blah blah... but that ONE gum is just upset for some reason. It's a tiny bit red (but doesn't bleed) and each day I look at it it seems to be receeding that bit further . It looks horrible and I hate it and what's most frustrating is WHY does it keep getting worse, when it actually started to get better!

So the receptionist said they could fit me in on Friday at 2pm to check my molar band. While I am there I am going to mention my gum and see what he says. I did mention it at my cleaning with them, but he just said "there was a piece of plaque there, things will be better and easier to keep clean once your teeth are straightened"... that's great, but what's going to happen to my gum for the next 2 years while my teeth are straightening!?

Anyway, enough of me ranting about my funky gum above my right front tooth LOL! Everything else is fine, braces are cool... no issues, no more discomfort etc etc so nothing really to report there. I might upload some more pictures this week.

[luchababe]

I can sympathize with your gum worries! I did some googling and found some sites that say they can grow back, within reason. It's like any tissue in the human body, it can heal.

I keep being told I have a "little bit of gum recession" on one side. That side also happens to have the TMD and the open bite. I'm thinking they're all connected in that weird way everything in your body is connected, you know? So maybe your gums are connected to something else going on...

They also tell me I'm brushing too hard as well, so I lighten up every time. Any lighter and the brush won't even hit my teeth! I'm hoping once the teeth are straight and after a few months of changing brush brands, brushing technique and meticulous flossing things will improve.

So I'm with ya sister!

[SurlyBlonde]

I had my hair cut/styled and dyed today, unfortunately I am not keen on it (probably because the last time I had this done was April 2009 so I was TOO used to my old hair style) and while looking at myself in the mirror at the hairdressers (while trying to pretend I was happy with my new hair) I remember thinking "oh dear, I look so damn ugly... horrible new hair and these damn braces" ... I did feel rather down, but I'll get over it.

Hi Chrystal,

I saw your post about going to the salon after being braced and had to tell you that I know exactly how you were feeling! I was just braced on November 10th, and about a week afterwards I went to a new stylist for a cut, thinking it would make me feel better. Not only did I hate the haircut, which was quite disheartening, but I was completely unprepared for sitting in front of a mirror for an hour and a half staring at my new metal mouth (something I was trying NOT to think about). To top it all off, I was clenching my mouth so hard for the last half of the appointment (to be honest, I was just trying to not cry in the stylist's chair ), that by the time I left the salon, the insides of my cheeks and lips were completely raw from being sucked up against my brackets. It was a rough day for sure. Perhaps running off for a haircut is not the best idea for a woman who's just been braced. Lesson learned.

[BraceFace2o1o]

So I took another photo today as it's 2 weeks in braces today! Of course, there is no change... the small change (which I was VERY chuffed with!) that happened in the first week is the only change so far. I realise taking pictures this often is a bit pointless LOL... so I think I'll maybe do my photos once a month from now on.

Anyway, here is photo (left) 5 days in and photo (right) 14 days in:


And here is a comparison with before and after 14 days:


Hi luchababe - I really hope they can improve! Most of my gums have receded somewhat and I was told this is because of my many years of brushing too hard and with the wrong technique (pushing my gums up and away from my teeth). My Ortho has told me to brush in a sweeping motion down away from my gums as that way I am not pushing plaque/food up into the gum line. Brushing like this feels odd, but I've been doing it for about 3 weeks now and slowly getting used to it.

I have also read that gum recession can be caused by grinding teeth... I am a big grinder, especially when asleep.

I know what you mean about being told to lighten up on brushing so hard, I've been told twice now and feel like you do - if I get any lighter then I wont really even be touching my teeth

Oh I had to cancel my appointment for the molar band/gum recession worries that was tomorrow, as the snow has gotten really bad here in the UK. My road is snowed in and it's SO icy that people have been smashing into other peoples cars and kerbs etc. They haven't gritted the roads round here! I am not taking the risk. They are saying on the news not to go out (yeah, you try telling your boss that!)... but the UK really does come to a complere stand still when we get snow, it's the same every year .
The receptionist said alot of patients have had to do the same thing. So I changed it for next Wednesday.

Hi SurlyBlonde - I also saw a different stylist and I do regret it. My normal hairdresser is on maternity leave and wont be back until March. I seriously needed it cut though. I am slowly getting used to it, but still unhappy it didn't turn out as it would have with my usual sylist.

One bit I always hate about going to the hairdressers is having to look at myself in that damn mirror for ages... But I am glad it isn't just me who feels like that though

Perhaps running off for a haircut is not the best idea for a woman who's just been braced. Lesson learned.

I totally agree!

[BraceFace2o1o]

So I went to see my Ortho this morning to get my molar band checked. He said this kind of thing could happen again as the teeth move. He said he could shave it down a little (the molar band, not my tooth!) but that's all he could do as it will be needed for when my lower braces are fitted. So it's been filed and feels much better, so I am happy.

He also checked how my bite was and said that it looks like my lower braces will be able to go on soon . He said he will check and make sure at my adjustment (20th December). So it looks like I could have my lowers on by January! a lot sooner than I thought. I thought it wouldn't happen until at least 3-4 months in.

I also called in to see my Dentist to ask about the referral of my wisdom tooth removal. I was there for about 45 mins while he finished with a patient so that he could have a chat with me about it. Basically, to cut it short, he's referring me to the clinic in the next town (the same clinic that removed my other 3 wisdom teeth last year) rather than the hospital. My consultation at that clinic for the wisdom tooth removal is on January the 25th at 10am... so if all goes well I will most likely have that last wisdom tooth removed in February. But, my Dentist did say today that it will be up to the surgeon on whether he will remove it or not, he said if they think it's ok and doesn't need to be removed (NHS guidelines n all that) then they might refuse to remove it … not sure what I will do if that's the case. But yeah, for now I'm referred and feel at ease that it got sorted even if the Ortho did write to them 2 months ago lol.

Braces are fine, no problems. I am totally hating how food gets stuck after eating, it's just really annoying but I understand it's all part of this journey. I'll post update pictures around the 16th of this month (about 4 weeks in braces) to compare with my before photo.

Ciao!

[BraceFace2o1o]

Ok, my wire ties are getting on my nerves a bit now. I have 5 wire ties, the rest have ligatures. Flossing with wire ties can be a pain in the backside. Sometimes I get the floss caught on the end of a wire tie (the bit that is wound round and round) and trying to get the floss back off again, well, it totally just shreds it and I end up pulling so hard it feel slike the bracket is going to pop off ... I then have to get a whole new piece of floss because the wire tie has totally shred my previous bit in half, length ways!

I shouldn't moan though because the wire ties certainly seem to be working (I have them on my most crooked/out of line teeth). My 1st premolars have moved in only 3 weeks! They also make the teeth ache quite a bit, so another sign of something is happening

Oh well, wire tie rant over.

Hmm... think I might go for Black ligs at my first adjustment . The Purple I have now, I'm already bored of

[drgnchsr36]

Hope you get your lowers soon That's really good news! Man, fast!

Hmm, so a dentist/ortho can refer to get your wisdom teeth out, but the surgeon can refuse? That's interesting.

Although, I wouldn't want mine out unless it had to be removed... pain in the butt! Hope that consultation goes well!

[BraceFace2o1o]

Hey drgnchsr36,

Well because my Dentist is referring me to have it removed on the NHS (free) the surgeon could refuse to remove it because the NHS now have strict guidelines when it comes to wisdom tooth removal (they only remove it if on x amount of occasions it's caused pain and abcsess). Now, if I get out my purse £££$$$, I am sure the surgeon wouldn't question it ... but I can't afford that as it could cost me between £300-£500 (roughly $475-$790 USD).

I've had the 3 others removed and it went so smoothly I'm not too bothered about having this one taken out. It does cause me pain sometimes as it's impacted and pusing up against my molar. Also, I am worried that once my braces come off, if the wisdom tooth tries to erupt it could push my lowers out of line again and my braces work will have been undone because of one stupid tooth