New here.. new to braces.. *sigh*

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#1 Post by **$urge337** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 7:17 am

Hello everyone. I just got my braces on this past wednesday. Today is my 3rd day with braces and i am not sure how i feel about these things. The first day my braces went on, i was fine but the second day the metal started to bother my mouth so now i have been using the wax. I have a longggg haul with these things (3yrs) and i am already sick of them. My ortho also stated that in about 3 months into my treatment i will have to have 4 of my teeth removed (i am so nervous about that part). I don't know but for some reason i am not so into my braces today. I know it just takes time to get use to but goodness. I am also finding myself kind of self conscious with these things when i am around people. I hope it gets better...

#2 Post by **katmc_tx** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 7:52 am

$urge337, well I'd like to say that after a year and a half I've gotten used to having braces on but that is not the case. I do go a while without having any urge to rip them out of my mouth but for the most part I want to rip them out of my mouth. But that urge does diminish after a period of time.

As far as being self conscious that will also pass. There are still times when I'm eating that I cover my mouth but other then that I'm okay will laughing and smiling really big.

So just give yourself sometime and use a lot of that wax (the inside of your mouth will adjust in about a week or so) and you will adjust.

Good luck on your journey!!

#3 Post by **$urge337** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 9:44 am

KK wrote:Great your journey has started $urge!

During the early months I remember having days were I just wanted this stuff out of my mouth ... for good. But as soon as I got busy, my thoughts would go else where and the whole braces stuff did pass. Now I rarely remember them ... only when I eat, and then only to make sure I have something to drink.

Take good care and focus on why you're doing this!

I hear ya!! i am having that day were i just want this out of my mouth! I am sitting here thinking like what am i doing!!! Then i try to remind myself why i have these and that i have always wanted these.. well more or less straight teeth HAHA. Thank you for responding =) i do feel better after reading your response.

#4 Post by **$urge337** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 9:48 am

katmc_tx wrote:$urge337, well I'd like to say that after a year and a half I've gotten used to having braces on but that is not the case. I do go a while without having any urge to rip them out of my mouth but for the most part I want to rip them out of my mouth. But that urge does diminish after a period of time.

As far as being self conscious that will also pass. There are still times when I'm eating that I cover my mouth but other then that I'm okay will laughing and smiling really big.

So just give yourself sometime and use a lot of that wax (the inside of your mouth will adjust in about a week or so) and you will adjust.

Good luck on your journey!!

LOL too funny! well i am glad that your at least being honest haha. I think I will definitely be feeling the same way you do with this process. What i have realized is that i laugh a lot and i smile all the time. With these braces, im catch myself trying not to laugh..but im sure you are right and my mouth will adjust to this all. Im sure (or i hope) ill get over being self conscious. thanks so much for responding. You gave me a good laugh.

#5 Post by **SandraJones** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 10:15 am

Hang in there, $urge !! I know exactly what you are talking about ... I got my braces on Wed Aug 15 so I've had them on now for 9 days. The first week was the worst ! I didn't really have much teeth discomfort, but the braces were tearing up the inside of my mouth and my speech was all screwed up and I felt like I had 10 pounds of shrapnel glued to my teeth ! Flossing was extremely frustrating, as was eating. And I felt very self-conscious too.

But on day 9, it's a very different story. I'm used to the feeling of the braces and I wear little or no wax during the day. At nighttime I use a nice thick coating just to make sure I can get uninterrupted sleep. I am not so self-conscious any more, in fact when I smile I do a full upper-and-lowers-are-showing grin.

Might as well let everyone see what's in my mouth, you know ? I almost think the braces are kind of cute. Almost. I'm getting much better at flossing too, though I'll admit it's still a frustrating chore. I think in a month or two I'll be an expert.

I know it's hard to think that you'll actually get used to braces. When I read or heard someone make this kind of statement, I was like "Yah, right !" But now I agree. It really DOES get better, and in fairly short amount of time. And just think, when you're done and your teeth are nice and straight, you'll be so happy you went through all of this trouble ! I think you will start to get happy about it when you start seeing progress. After just 8 days I noticed my bite was different, my upper arch has actually expanded a tiny bit. I can hardly wait to see some of my wonky teeth straighten out a bit !

#6 Post by **HeyTeach** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 10:30 am

Focus on the outcome because it will be worth it. I'm almost as new as you and things get better daily. People are maybe curious but always supportive.

#7 Post by **fx4** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 12:54 pm

Hey there I know how you feel I'm only on day 4. I managed without wax for the firs two days but broke down on day 3 and also started with the Advil. I have felt all that you have and still do, though I know why I started this and intend to finish. Just know your not alone my day sucks pretty bad today too!!

#8 Post by **lionfish** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 2:20 pm

I've never exactly been in love with my braces, but I've gotten used to them being there. Sure, there are days when I'd rather they were history, but mostly I find that if I'm suitably distracted I don't think about them much, if at all.

I had one extraction 6 months into treatment, a lower wisdom tooth, so I can understand your being nervous because I was very anxious about this. But when it came time to pull the tooth, it all happened very quickly and there were no ill effects. Hopefully, it will be the same for you when the time comes.

This is one time of your life where you won't mind the time flying and believe me, it does.

#9 Post by **AmandaMS** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 2:26 pm

I feel your pain too!! I just got my braces on yesterday morning and I am hurting. There is no tooth pain. It is all the braces tearing up my mouth. I hope you really do get used to them because I can't stand this for two years!!

I can only eat very soft stuff. No chewing because I have a bite plate in and it makes things really difficult. I have already lost 3 pounds. Looks like I'm going to need milkshakes and protein shakes. I've tried the wax on my teeth, but it doesn't seem to stay very well. Any suggestions??

Thanks everyone!

#10 Post by **Miss Smiley** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 2:40 pm

OH Amanda, it gets better! You can use the search tool on this page and find tons of useful wax tips!
viewtopic.php?t=20757&highlight=wax+tips
viewtopic.php?p=202280&highlight=#202280

#11 Post by **sherria2z** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 2:56 pm

Well, I am on day 10 with braces. I can tell you that the wires ripping up your mouth thing gets TONS better. The first week is the worst. I slept without any wax last night and haven't used any today and am really not uncomfortable. And last week, I didn't have any pain in my teeth. But yesterday and today my teeth have hurt a lot. I was starting to eat again, actually chew (I had toast for breakfast yesterday -- yay!), but am back to soft food again today because my molars hurt so much. I think part of it may be because I can't leave everything in my mouth alone -- I have elastics and my tongue is constantly fiddling with them.

Also, I had to have two teeth pulled and was very, very nervous. I wanted to be sedated and the oral surgeon said, No ya don't. I said, Really, really I do. He said, No ya don't. And I wasn't sedated and it was a breeze. They popped right out and I had very little discomfort. Everything healed up nicely.

So I can reassure you that it gets better (Sandra and I got our braces on the same day!). I have actually had brief periods (maybe 10 minutes) where I forgot I even had braces. Don't get me wrong -- I still want to rip them out, but having 10 minutes where I don't think about it is a step forward.

Does anyone else remember their molars hurting into the second week?? Is this normal??? I feel too stupid to call my ortho, plus it is Friday afternoon and they are gone.

#12 Post by **AmandaMS** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 3:49 pm

Thanks everyone!

The tips for wax seem very helpful. I will definitely give them a try. Hopefully I can survive through the weekend. I'm going to try and take some Advil and eat dinner. Wish me luck!!

#13 Post by **sherria2z** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 8:23 pm

You get better with the wax, also. I use a tissue to dry off the bracket after I have warmed up a little piece of wax. If your fingers are dry and the bracket is dry, it sticks on there really well! It was really hard at first, but I can do it pretty quick now and it hasn't even been two weeks.

And the Glide Threader Floss is a life saver -- don't think I could floss without it!

#14 Post by **$urge337** » Mon Aug 27, 2007 8:50 am

Thanks everyone so much for your input and making me feel tons better!!

My braces went on 8/22/07 and today is 8/27/07 and i feel a bit better. I noticed that during the day, i only need wax on 2 of my teeth on the top. But at night i need to use wax on the back of my top row of teeth as well because it seems to pull my inside cheeks and it keeps waiting me up. Anyhow, like many has said my teeth don't hurt much. It was just a tad sore the second day or so but that was it. The metal was/is more annoying but im ok now.

Can't wait til my extractions, etc just because i will be a step closer to the final result.

$uRgE

#15 Post by **dublingal** » Tue Aug 28, 2007 8:33 am

New to the site - got my top braces on 6 days ago but have bottom braces on 6 mths now. Have to say little bit depressed because top braces are pretty noticeable and my top lip is sticking out a bit because of braces. Ortho said i'll be wearing braces for approx 10 mths so its not that bad I suppose.
Just not feeling as sexy with the braces now

Metal Mouth Message Board

New here.. new to braces.. sigh

New here.. new to braces.. sigh

Day 10 with braces