The braces countdown: 1 day until blastoff!

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#1 Post by **LateStarter** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 4:21 pm

Hi everyone!

As my username suggests, I am another late starter in the world of braces (well, late relative to when I should have had them, that is!). I'm in my early thirties and have been told for virtually as long as I can remember that I should have braces. My mum didn't want me to have them because she didn't want to inflict the pain of braces on me (at least, that's my understanding - maybe there was another reason that she didn't tell me at the time), but after my mouth becoming noticeably uncomfortable in the last 6 months or so, I've finally decided to get it done.

I had separators put in yesterday, and as a result my teeth are very sore, making it difficult to eat. Hopefully the pain from that will subside soon. I have one week to go until I get the braces put on, and I'm looking forward to it for a few reasons, but mostly to get the separators taken out!

Anyway, I'm glad I've found a place with lots of people going through the same experience; I look forward to contributing, and possibly even being of some help once I've had my braces for a while and can offer some advice based on personal experience

#2 Post by **LateStarter** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 4:40 pm

Thanks so much for the warm welcome, Karen! Before the spacers, I had to have a tooth extracted and amazingly I felt no pain whatsoever after that, even though the roots snapped as the dentist was trying to take it out, and I had to have a stitch put in. So I believe you so far about the spacers being the most uncomfortable part!

I have no doubt that I'll find this site to be a great source of support - when you're going through something that's not particularly pleasant, it's always great to be able to talk about it with people who have either been through it, or are currently going through it

#3 Post by **lionfish** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 9:18 pm

Hi latestarter, and welcome to another Aussie!

My parents didn't pursue treatment for me either and I left it til my 50's to get going. So you could say that I was a real late starter. But better late than never.

Sorry to hear the spacers are bothering you; from what I've heard (I didn't have spacers), this can often be the worst part of the braces experience so things are likely to only get better for you.

#4 Post by **LateStarter** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 9:52 pm

Thanks, lionfish

I hope you're right about the spacers - they're actually not too bad now that I'm not trying to eat anything, but I dread that little hunger pang that means that I should try to eat something else! If coffee had any nutritional value, I'd just live on that for the next week

#5 Post by **mottsrods** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 10:07 am

Hi LateStarter,

I too am in my early 30's and for the 3rd time getting braces to help with some bite issues and tmj/tmd. I went in for my impressions on Dec. 4th and thought that would be it. My orthos office called me back the next morning and asked me to come back in.....he decided to put in a few spacers, 10 to be exact.........and i am dying right now. He told me it was to help with me getting my braces on Dec 12th, since i'm getting upper and lower headgear right off the bat.............i don't want to talk, or even eat, much less sleep or anything else i used to enjoy. I know i'll get over it, but jjjeeessshhh..........this is bad......worse than the last two times i had them..........

And i have been living on coffee, add some Bailey's Irish Creme, little vanilla, one or two ice cubes, and into the cuisinart..........hhmmmmm........it tastes so good........especially with mashed potato's and loaf bread.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Mott

#6 Post by **LateStarter** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 6:04 pm

Hi Mott,

I'm sorry to hear about your pain with the spacers. I have 8 (4 top, 4 bottom) and they're bad enough, so I can only imagine what an extra 2 would be like. We'll just have to believe everyone else when they say that this is the worst part of the experience - hopefully it will be instant relief when I get them taken out on Thursday!

That coffee concoction sounds very nice - I might have to give it a try!

I hope your pain lessens really soon, and I look forward to reading about how you're going.

LS

#7 Post by **KateinCO** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 6:55 pm

Hi Latestarter!

I hope your treatment goes really well and that you are excited to get your braces! I have to say, the separators made me sooooooo happy to see my ortho to get bonded. They are awful! I just got my braces a couple days ago, and other than the weird feeling of having all that stuff in your mouth, teeth are not nearly as sore as with the seps, so you have that to look forward to! Now I can eat a little better, but I do have to contend with getting used to all the places where the food gets stuck. Fortunately, it does not take long to figure that out!

Just remember to keep your eyes on the end state ... you will have a great smile and a better bite (which leads to much better health) at the end of your journey. And remember people like me are right there with you!

Cheers,
Kate in Colorado (I'm 36, so I am also a late starter! Better late than never!)

#8 Post by **LateStarter** » Sun Dec 09, 2007 1:55 am

Thanks, Kate

I am excited to get my braces; it'll be great to finally start treatment, and to get these spacers out!

I'm definitely concentrating on the end result - I'll be in my braces for 21-24 months, and I just cannot imagine what my smile is going to look like at the end of treatment. I can't wait to find out...

Better late than never, indeed!

#9 Post by **KateinCO** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 5:55 pm

Hi Latestarter --

Good luck with your B-day! I have spent a lot of time on this forum this first few days with braces ... it keeps me excited about what I am doing!! Just remember that the soreness you feel the first day or two means you are making progress towards your new smile! It really does get better every day -- follow the great advice on the forum (especially about keeping hydrated) and you will be just fine!!

Cheers,
Kate in Colorado

#10 Post by **LateStarter** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:46 pm

Thanks again, Kate!

I know I'll be back here a lot as well; the support I've been given, even before starting, has been invaluable, and so motivating.

I'm worrying a bit about the molar bands I'm getting. I've read a bit about the teeth with molar bands greying a little, and have seen photos. Is that a common thing with molar bands? Is the discolouration permanent, or does it disappear after the bands have been removed? I'm getting a bit worried

I'll be asking my ortho about it tomorrow.

#11 Post by **LateStarter** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 11:16 pm

Thanks so much Karen, that makes me feel a lot better! I've always been a huge worrier, and what you said makes perfect sense. I feel a bit silly for worrying so much, but I can't help it

Thanks again, I'm sure it will all be fine

#12 Post by **mamou mama** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 3:56 pm

well i will be braced right along with you. so i will be posting tomorrow night to let everyone know how it went. tonight we are having ribeye steaks for supper. because im sure i wont be able to eat steak for a while

let us know how your bday went

#13 Post by **LateStarter** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 12:57 am

I'll do my best, Karen, but me stopping worrying is easier said than done!

You're having your braces on the 13th as well, mamou mama? Good luck with it! If was anything like mine you'll have no trouble at all. If you're interested in reading, I've posted my b-day story in this thread.

#14 Post by **joynhrt** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 7:12 pm

Hope all goes well on tomorrow. I have had my braces for exactly four weeks and 2 days. I am surprised sometime at the fact that I have virtually forgotten about them. I start talking to someone and forget that they don't know that I have braces.

#15 Post by **LateStarter** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 4:23 am

Thanks, joynhrt, it went fine! I'm getting used to them now, and am looking forward to getting the lower arch braced (I have some brackets but not all, and no wire) so I can really get going!

Metal Mouth Message Board

The braces countdown: 1 day until blastoff!

The braces countdown: 1 day until blastoff!

Good Luck!

Good luck!

hi latestarter

Hope Everything Goes Well!