Metal Mouth Message Board

Day One:

So the metal for the upper row of teeth is in and I decided to go with Lilac as they did not offer lavender. Hey it's close enough right? The process itself did not hurt with the exception of that pesky mouth/lip extender that they put in there. It kept rubbing against my gums and I thought I was just going to faint. As I've stated in other posts, I've been reading everything there is to know about braces because you are owning a piece of equipment and you need to know how to take care of it. Also, I'm so glad I took an ibuprofen before getting them put on. Perhaps the mouth/lip extender pain would have been magnified if I had not taken the meds. After the deed, I was given a purple dental kit. Purple being my favorite color so I was happier than a bird with a french fry.

I'll have to admit, the braces against the inside of your mouth did feel weird for like an hour and now I'm on to the next thing to learn with braces on, eat.
It's about 2pm, here in California and my stomach is doing kung fu kicks meaning that if I don't eat something soon, somebody is going to get a black eye.

Off to eat my first meal with these thingamagigs!!

Oh where are my manners. This is what they look like.

Oh SNAP!!

As I was talking to my fiancee, I heard a loud pop, which felt as if I had eaten a bag of pop rocks. Yes, a bracket just popped off. I mean it's still on there because of the archwire, but is not physically connected to the tooth. To top it all off, the ortho office isn't open until Monday. Well looks like it's an all liquid diet this weekend.

I had mine put on on a Friday too and snapped one off hours after leaving the office, called Monday and didn't get in until Tuesday. They said not to worry, continue to eat soft foods. It happens

Oy! Thank goodness for that!! I've been freaked out since last night, I actually couldn't sleep well. Since it's still "attached" is it an additional fee? Or how does that work?

Depends on your ortho I guess, mine didn't charge me at all. They just took the wire out, re-cemented the bracket, put the wire back in and away I went, only took a few minutes. Sure did feel good to get the wire out for a few minutes lol

Thanks for the info Jensniffer!! It was much appreciated!!

Day Two
The day went surprisingly well. I only felt minimal amount of pain in the two front teeth and where the anchors are placed. I had my usual Starbucks iced chai, which from now on will only be a once a week treat. I cooked some yummy salmon and steamed veggies for me and my fiancee. Not all the veggies were steamed as soft as I wanted them to be, so I reached for some greek yogurt. I minced some strawberries and blueberries and gave it a quick stir. Later in the evening, I had more fruit and tons-o-water. I didn't starve myself, just woke up really late today and didn't want to ruin my eating schedule. I'm going to be bold tomorrow and eat a salad. We'll see what Sunday brings! Toodles!

Day 3

I decided to be bold and eat a tuna and spinach salad. Oy! The tuna wasn't that bad, it was the spinach that I couldn't quite chew and well yes it ended up a everywhere except in my tummy. Luckily I had a berry smoothie with the salad or else I would have starved! I know there was fair warning about this, but I'm one stubborn woman. I ate more salmon sans veggies and had belgium chocolate mousse for dessert. I went took my daily Starbucks trip, but today I stuck with passion (hibiscus) tea without any sweetener. I've noticed that my teeth hurt after I eat, but not to where it incapacitates me. To tell you the truth, I'm still waiting for that pain everyone keeps warning me about. I'm sure it will come. Well off to end my day with some green tea! Toodles!

P.S. I went to Costco and found the SonicCare toothbrush set for 149.99 (included 2 brushes, one for home and one for travel. It came with a lot of "doodads") The WaterPik system was 69.99 also with two WaterPiks. I haven't used either of them yet, but I will write a post after I do. Woot! That means my fiancee gets one of each also. What a deal!!!

I still can't eat salad and I am almost 2 months in. My teeth do not meet enough to chew it Glad you aren't starving

Welcome and good luck Elizabeth!

It sounds like you are in a great state of mind, and your journey is going to be a tough but fulfilling one. You have all the tools and when you need support, this site is great for it. I didn't have too much pain after the initial appointment, it was all about getting your mouth used to eating in a different way. Now, I don't have any trouble whatsoever. I eat pretty much whatever I want, I just make sure to cut stuff in small bites when necessary. I even have burritos and cheeseburgers! I thought I would never be able to eat those when I first got my braces, but it all comes with time. Just remember to take some pain reliever before your adjustments and I'm sure all will be well! Good luck once again!

@Jensiffer Aww! Why is that? Oy! My goodness what ARE you eating then?

Thanks Sunnylocks!! I mentally prepared myself like a week before getting the spacers in because I knew that the "diet" was going to begin. Well at least that's what I told myself. But you're right, basically it's taking sensible bites (which I learned after bracket came off of my tooth) and keeping your teeth clean. I'm a sucker for chocolate and chai teas, but I've had to cut down on those anyway. With or without braces, can't have too much sugar!! I felt more pressure today on my teeth, but nothing major. Nothing comes easy without a little sacrifice, no?

Day 4
One of my anchors has a little wire sticking out of it that is bugging the you know what out of me! I called my ortho to get an appointment, but just my luck, they are booked until next Wednesday. I have a loose bracket and well the wire is no bueno. I was told to call again in a day or two to see if anything opens up. C'est la vie! !

I think I got the hang of eating with these things now. I'm still doing my usual smoothie for lunch, but I had a nice omelette for breakfast. I was able to eat a tortilla!! Hey that means a lot to a Mexican, woo! For dinner I had baked cod, shredded salad and a mini baked ricotta cake. I thought the salad was going to be an issue, but this time it was the ricotta cake. But it was just so dang good, I didn't care!! Okay, but enough about food. I have to say, that nobody has brought up the metal in mouth. I was expecting someone to say something, but it hasn't come up. Thank goodness!! I think I also got used to seeing myself in the mirror with them.

As far as the SonicCare toothbrush and WaterPik, next to the braces: BEST INVESTMENT EVER!!! (Thankies Catgyrl) If Costco sold them in a 10-pack I would give one to each of my family members. I've owned a Rotadent for a while now, and the SonicCare completely blows it out of the water. I just love it!!! My mouth feels clean!! I think the Rotadent will be used when traveling.

I guess my only "complaint" would be, that I'm afraid of giving my fiancee a nice passionate kiss. Especially now, that I officially have my first canker sore. Nice! Does anybody have any suggestions on how to get rid of those? I usually just rinse with warm saltwater, but is there anything else I have to do now that I have braces?

Anyways, thanks everyone for their help! Now it's off to catch some zzzz's.

Recipes
Ricotta Cakes and Tomato Salad http://bracefacerecipe.wordpress.com/20 ... ato-salad/.
Cod with Fennel, Dill and Tomato http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rach ... index.html

Day 5

Well I was able to secure an appointment for tomorrow morning, so that made me feel better about getting the bracket and wire issue resolved. Today was not a good day for food. Lunch and dinner, I just stared at my food. My chicken leg sat there on my plate looking delicious and I couldn't taste it. Even after taking it off the bone and shredding it, my teeth weren't having it today. I couldn't finish my wrap so I just ate the inside and left the tortilla alone. I definitely felt that my teeth were more sensitive to hot/cold today. Even water sent a nice little shockwave throughout my mouth. In addition, my jaw is acting funky when closing my mouth the way I've been accustomed to do so for so long, and my jaw is saying "No! We are doing it like this now!" And so it begins....

Day 6

Today I had two brackets replaced and I can definitely feel the difference. I'm under pressure. Apparently, the bonding was the issue and not the burrito I ate as I initially thought. For breakfast I had a hard boiled egg. Bad idea. My smoothie was just okay today as my teeth were hurting just a tad. I did find a new pasta friend, fusilli. Tossed in an arrabiatta sauce and you are set to go! No garlic bread though. Le sigh. Salad doesn't seem to be an issue, but I have to omit the kalamata olives. I guess I could try mincing them.

I traded one funky wire for another. The ortho fixed one side, but then another decided to start poking me. Ahh, thank goodness for wax.
I've been kicking up the exercise routine to balance the dull pain in my mouth. I've also encountered dry lips, so I'm carrying some Burt's Bees Lip Balm with me everywhere I go. I don't like to always wear lipstick so that works. I'm using the WaterPik like crazy because it also massages my gums which feels great. My first adjustment appointment is on Sept. 7th, which seems so far away!! Still in comparison to what others are going through, I think I have it made in the shade. That's another day in the books, folks! Toodles!

Day 7

Woot! I've reached the one week mark!!

I am happy to report no pain, and have been able to eat pretty much anything today. Is that good or bad?! I guess it took several days for me to get used to the hardware. I wanted to eat a can of sardines with crackers and I did, slowly. I don't feel my teeth protruding as much, but I haven't seen much of a difference. Then again it has only been a week. Other than that, I'm very pleased. I'm smiling more, which is weird because I thought I would be hiding behind them. Perhaps, it's because something is being done to fix what I've always hated about myself. Oh happy days are here to stay! :The WaterPIk has been a life saver! Where have you been all of my life?!

Well I'm off to get more chai and work towards getting those buns of steel.
Toodles!

Day 8
My teeth they are-a-dancing!! I freaked out, but was told it was normal! Thanks guys!
Today my teeth are sensitive!!! I tried eating pizza for lunch, but ended up eating only the cheese and being hungry. I kept drinking iced water since it's been helping a bit. I went with sloppy joes for dinner and my teeth thanked me. I'm just going to enjoy watching the baseball game, Go DODGERS!! I don't need to be at Dodger Stadium to hear fireworks, they are going off in my mouth.

Toodles!