48 yrs old and getting braces!

[melliemoo]

I've had lower crooked teeth my whole life but they have become much worse as I got older. Finally, my bite has become off. I also have an upper front bridge from an accident and it is hitting my lower incisors. Iwant to have my bridge replaced and my dentist suggest that I get lower braces to correct my bite and bring my lower teeth under my upper teeth so my bridge looks more natural. I had a consultation with the orthodonist that my dentist recommended and he said all I need is lower braces but he's recommending I have one of my central incisors pulled to make room for the rest of my teeth. He also said he needed to talk to my dentist because though I had deep roots in my front lower teeth, he saw a small "pocket" on my teeth when he saw the x-rays so he was concerned about that. What does he mean? I guess I should have asked but I wasn't thinking until I left the office.

[melliemoo]

Thank you for that information. I read about your braces stories and I do see you have lovely pink gums! I'm trying to get more diligent about brushing and flossing right after I eat but it takes dedication to oneself which I tend to ignore. I love to look at pictures of people who are far along with their braces so I can get inspired. Thanks, M___

[KathyC]

Hi Mellie,

I'm 47 years old (48 in November) and I'm getting my spacers in today and my braces will go on on October 23. I'm really nervous but excited to get started. I love this website it really gives me more confidence.

[melliemoo]

Let me know how your first week goes. I'm getting anxious again. I really am nervous about losing the tooth in the front. I'll have a gap for awhile and I'm sure I'll be self-conscious about that.

[joele]

I am also in my 40's. My orthodontist was concerned about the roots on my teeth too. I had an exam done at my dentist called "spacing and probing", the dental hygenist does the exam. Orthodontist suggested that I have it done every 6 months while in braces. Dentist gave go ahead for braces, my initial exam was ok. The spacing and probing exam hurts a somewhat during the exam and afterward for a couple of hours.

[melliemoo]

Joele, when are you getting your braces?

[melliemoo]

I had my tooth extracted on Jan. 7 and had my braces put on on Jan. 15. When my orthodontist put the archwire in my first thought was "this is it? this is the pressure?"

By Thursday afternoon, my teeth ached so bad I felt like taking pliers and clipping the wire out. This morning I took some ibuprofen around 10:00 and it's now 8:43 and they hurt so bad again. I ate some cut up pasta and cottage cheese and my teeth started to hurt again.

I don't seem to have any problem with the brackets rubbing against my gum. It's the teeth that hurt and I have an area on my gum that hurts if I use my electric toothbrush on it.

My question: does the pain ever stop? My front teeth feel like they are going to pop out of my mouth.

thanks, M_____

[ohmyjaw]

Yes, the pain does stop. It should settle down in a few days. In the meantime, keep taking ibuprofen. I also find cold is very soothing, so maybe have a bowl of ice cream... or two.

Good luck!