Damon Braces Journey/Open Bite

[MissRed]

Day 2

Still feeling pretty self conscious today, reluctant to smile but I hope that is just because it's all new and my mouth still feels massive!

Haven't even tried to chew anything yet as I don't think it's wise so been eating porridge and mashed potato mainly oh and strawberry custard! Mmmm.

I've still had no "pain" but have been taking ibuprofen at regular intervals, woke up this morning and my mouth felt very tight but again I wouldn't call it pain.

Still able to speak almost perfectly but seem to be collecting a lot of saliva in my mouth today.

Brushing my teeth last night and this morning wasn't a problem either.

So far I'm feeling ok I just hope my confidence will return. I'm going to the cinema with my fella tonight though so I can't be feeling that paranoid because surely I wouldn't want to leave the house? Think it's just the smiling thing. Shall keep you all posted .

[jem]

Hello Miss Red

If you are doing so well already with pain and speech you are going to be fine. By all means look forward to when you have finished your treatment and have perfect teeth. But in the meantime your braces look just fine so keep on smiling and enjoy your life to the full.

Jem

[MissRed]

Hello Miss Red

If you are doing so well already with pain and speech you are going to be fine. By all means look forward to when you have finished your treatment and have perfect teeth. But in the meantime your braces look just fine so keep on smiling and enjoy your life to the full.

Jem

Hi Jem,

Thank you I think it's just one of those things where no matter how many times somebody tells you it looks fine you still don't believe them, I'm sure I'll cross that bridge eventually. Just gonna have a look at your story now

[MissRed]

Day 3

Well day 3. Still no pain, just discomfort and still struggling with the feel of having massive lips and where to put them, getting a bit better with smiling etc though day by day I think that will get better.

Saliva build up is causing some minor problems with me talking today and boy do I dribble when I'm asleep! Haha.

Still haven't tried to eat anything that I need to chew as I still don't feel ready.

Tried my waterpik for the first time last night, messy to say the least! The jet of water even on the low power seems far too forceful and it created some sensitivity in certain areas of my mouth, I think it's going to take me a lot of practice to get used to using it but even from my first go my mouth felt very fresh from it. I haven't used regular floss yet as teeth are sore when applying pressure but not at rest. I feel as though I can't leave it any longer though and so I'm gonna try and use my oral b superfloss tonight.

Brushing my teeth has been fine, no soreness aside from when I catch the barrel of my electric toothbrush on a tooth, that is annoying!

I'll try to do a small update for each day in my first week and then I'll leave it for longer intervals.

[chichi]

The things that caused me pain at first were eating and flossing. Since you're avoiding both of those, I'm not surprised you don't feel pain lol

It probably took me 3-4 days before I was able to floss my entire mouth, and that definitely left everything throbbing. Eating, however, was another story...

[MissRed]

The things that caused me pain at first were eating and flossing. Since you're avoiding both of those, I'm not surprised you don't feel pain lol

It probably took me 3-4 days before I was able to floss my entire mouth, and that definitely left everything throbbing. Eating, however, was another story...

I'm hoping I'll be able to floss tonight and I'm expecting throbbing! Lol not sure when I'm gonna give chewing a go, happy living off ice cream, ready brek and mashed potato atm haha!

[MissRed]

Day 4

Attempted to floss last night, only managed to do some teeth as the space between them is too tight atm not fun! Had another go with my water pik too, slightly more successful haha.

Today I have a massive ulcer where a bracket has been rubbing me at the back, have been using salt water and bonjela so hopefully it will heal. Other than that I'm not too bad, getting a bit more used to the situation though still struggling with lip positioning/smiling etc.

[MissRed]

Day 5

Well, I faced the world today. Went into Uni even though I only had one lecture, all my friends said the braces weren't that noticeable, they're all very supportive and a lot of them have had braces before so I quickly stopped feeling self conscious around them.

I'm still not quite grasping the confidence thing fully however I had to chat to some strangers on my train commute this morning and on the whole I'm beginning to realise that nobody really cares!

I've finally sussed how to use the water pik and it's a lifesaver! Having to use a big lump of wax on one bracket today too so my ulcer can heal.

Still haven't really chewed anything properly but I think I might be a bit more adventurous with tea tonight.

My nieces, nephew and brother came down to see me yesterday my brother as usual took the mick and my nieces and nephew think it's hilarious that I have braces but they're jealous I get to eat loads of ice cream haha!

In general my first 5 days have been a hell of a lot better than I was expecting! I'm definitely glad I've gone through with this.

[Mrs v]

Great to hear. Hopefully you've been through the worst of it- pain wise. Hope you managed some dinner tonight.

[MissRed]

Great to hear. Hopefully you've been through the worst of it- pain wise. Hope you managed some dinner tonight.

I'm pleased to report I managed pizza last night!

[MissRed]

Day 6

Long day today so a real test of what life will be like in these damon braces. Woke up at 6, commuted in to uni, had lectures from 9-1 and then work at one of my part time jobs from 1:30 till 5, walked back in the house about 5 minutes ago.

Nothing new to report really other than the fantastic news that I managed to eat pizza last night, I can't bite into things but can manage foods cut up into small pieces now but can only chew on one side currently.

Getting used to the whole brushing/flossing routine now too.

People at work said they barely noticed my braces and were very supportive too so that's always nice to hear.

I'll add one more update tomorrow as that will make the week and then I will drop to less regular updates.

Please if anybody has any questions about damon braces in the UK or open bites or anything I'll do my best to help!

I'm off to have a pancake! Haha

[MissRed]

Day 7

Right, well here we are, one week!

I still can't really bite into foods with my front teeth but my chewing is getting better day by day, currently eating some aero!

I went on a bike ride today too it did cause me some problems with breathing/saliva but I just took a big old bottle of water and kept stopping.

My ulcers have also nearly gone now too so that's making me feel a bit better.

Once again if you have any questions about damon braces or open bites feel free to drop me a line!

I'll get some progress pictures up at some point.

[MissRed]

Just a small update to mark 3 weeks.

I've been coping pretty well with it all, was on a week long field trip away last week too I thought I would struggle a bit what with having to eat whatever food was provided but everything was fine.

I've managed to cut down my morning/night teeth cleaning routine down from about half an hour to 15 minutes, it still annoys me that it takes so long but I'm getting used to it.

Pain wise it's mainly been fine I've had odd days though like today where one or two teeth are really sore/sensitive but nothing unbearable.

I've noticed some movement with my bottom teeth, they are slowly getting less crowded but there's nothing major, I've decided I will update with pictures after each adjustment and attempt to keep the diary going that way, I think my next adjustment is April 23rd but I shall keep you posted.

Hope everybody is doing well!

[MissRed]

Ok so disclosing tablets are more trouble than they are worth...

[MissRed]

So quick update, I woke up today to find one side of my TPA bar sort of slipping back and forth, it appears to have come loose from the molar band, at least that's what I think has happened, I rang the ortho and I'm going to see him tomorrow, just hope it's a quick fix as I don't want any problems or push backs after doing so well in my first month of braces!