Hi , new member getting braces this Wednesday please help!

[bethanym87]

Hi everyone i'm Bethany 20yo and I am getting my braces put on this Wednesday, I have been so nervous the last couple of days and i'm glad I found this site. From reading some of the post on here, I guess I can expect a lot of pain and discomfort. How long does this last? Also does anyone have any other advice for me? Thank you and take care.

Bethany

[GinaLime]

Bethany - welcome to the club! I've had my braces on for two months and it's gone by fast, so rest assured it's not too bad.

For the appointment, I'd advise you to use the restroom beforehand (it can take over an hour to glue on your brackets, etc.). And be SURE TO ASK FOR DENTAL WAX (as much as you feel comfortable begging for!). They should give it to you easily.

As for discomfort, the chafing from the wires and brackets made me very uncomfortable for a few days after. But I blame this on me not using enough dental wax -- once I started waxing at the first hint of chafing, things went a lot better for me. The salt water rinses also helped tremendously. I'd say the pain was completely gone by the fifth day -- so after that first week, rest assured that you've got braces whupped! And of course, some folks don't feel much of anything at all, so please don't worry. Good luck!

[acehigh]

I've been in braces almost 7 months and I can say it hasn't been that bad at all. Personally, I've never had to take any mediction for pain. Of course we're all different, and have different tolerances. The only time I felt some discomfort is when the braces were first put on. Your cheeks and lips have to get used to the brackets. This only lasted about a week or so. And yes, once in a while I'll feel an achy tooth, but I love when that happens! It means progress! Don't worry too much about it.......feel the excitement knowing that you're going to have a great smile and well aligned teeth! By the way, within weeks you will notice a difference.....it's just amazing.

[Betty Bat]

Howdy, Bethany, and welcome.

Not sure why you "expect a lot of pain and discomfort". I would say that the majority of people here, maybe as high as 90%, experience little to no pain. Of course, it depends on what you are having done, and I certainly don't want to denigrate the people who do feel pain. When something happens to you, the last thing you want to hear is, "oh, I didn't have any trouble", implying it's your fault or it's in your head! I'm one of the few people on the board who has problems with Damon doors sticking and I just hate it when everybody writes in and says "my doors don't stick". It doesn't do me any good if your doors don't stick when mine do! End of rant.

As most people here will tell you, your attitude has a lot to do with how your braces journey will go. If you expect pain, you will feel pain. Personally, I keep comparing my braces experience to my experience wearing bifocals. It's an inconvenience, but it's better than the alternatives!

You go, girl!

[bethanym87]

I'm glad most of you say that I shouldn't have any pain after I get them on. Some of my friends who worn them in the past told me they hurt, so thats why I was worrying so much. Thanks for all the good advice before and after I get them on, and might have many more questions once I get them on.

Take care
Bethany

[LilRedPitViper]

Welcome Bethany, and congrats on getting your braces!

As for the pain you can expect, I'm nearing the 2 week mark since getting mine on, and it's been far less painful than what I had imagined. The first 3 or 4 days were a little sore, but nothing that a dose of Motrin didn't fix. The hardest part for me was getting used to the pressure, and the occasional canker sore on my cheek.

Wax, Salt Water Rinses and Chap-Stick will become your best friends. I recommend not leaving home without a pack of wax and lip balm.

Eating will feel really funny for a few days too. I pretty much lived on applesauce and tuna for the first few days. Make sure to clean your teeth and brackets really well once you're finished eating. The best advice I got from my ortho was to eat really healthy meals, with lots of protein. You won't feel hungry as often, and eating right is a big part of having braces.

Also, listen to everything KK says. She gives some of the best advice!! You've found a great resource for helping you with any questions you have.

[iBorg]

Congrats on starting the journey. In many ways getting through the first month will be the hardest. Remember always that treatment should make a positive improvement for the rest of your life.

Hopefully you have pictures pre braces. If not, your orthos probably took some. Take pictures with braces as soon as you can. When you get disgusted with the process, look at the progress shown in those pictures. Even after a couple of weeks or a month, they’ll give you great encouragement.

Welcome to the board. Whatever you do in this process try to have fun. Maintaining a positive attitude truly will make this a good experience instead of a treatment that is hard to tolerate.

Mike

[Dimples]

ditto to what everyone else said. Everybody is different, some have discomfort, others don't.

I haven't experienced any major pain as of yet. A little sensitivity and soreness that lasted a few days, but nothing major. I have always been able to chew normally...so far.
Don't worry, braces aren't so bad!

[mindykatz]

well I guess it depends on what your definition of "pain" is....I never had any huge pain, but I did, and still do, have soreness and discomfort.

It's not like you'll wake up the morning after braces and be like, "AHHHH OH MY GOSH!! MY MOUTHH!! HELP!! HELP!!! THE PAAAIINN I CANT TAKE THE PAAIINN IM MELTING AHHHhhhhhHHhhh!"

But you may be like, "ooo theres a little sore on the inside of my cheek, and my incisors are a little ouchy today".

And you will probably have days where you have to eat softer foods, but more often than not you'll be able to eat whatever you usually do.

Not too much to worry about - just get as educated about the process as you can (Which you are doing - good job!), and try not to stress. Good luck!

[jennielee81]

All of the advice above is priceless!

Especially Meryaten's list!! You can always count on her well researched advice!

I had forgotten most of the early stuff and what LilRedPitViper wrote IS SO close to my experience!! Also great advice as is everyone else's on this thread!!!!!

You will do fine! Take OTC pain medication as necessary and chew!!!!

Before you know it you'll be deciding on your retainer color!

CONGRATS on your decission to "get-er-done!"

[gingerprince]

hi bethany,

Personally, I've had my braces for 6 months now, and only feel discomfort for a week or two after every ortho session.