Newbie from Texas

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#1 Post by **gsb126** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 9:06 pm

I turned 40 in January, and I'd promised myself I'd start "fixing myself up" as a birthday gift. I've wanted braces for a long time, but always kept talking myself out of it because of other expenses. I just got my upper braces on Tuesday morning. I had thought I'd be getting both upper and lower, but the ortho wants to wait a few months because my overbite would cause the lower brackets to pop off. I've got Damon 3, and I'm going to use the Sure Smile system later in the treatment. Here's my experience so far:

Day 1 - "Installation" was no biggie. I was surprised at how dry my mouth was after it was over, but that was it. Had a small amount of pain, but nothing I couldn't handle. Eating was interesting.

Day 2 - Woke up feeling fine. Then the pain set it. Discovered the benefits of wax, but the aching of my teeth refused to be controlled by anything. Once I got home from work, I opened the sample of Orabase and felt immediately better. Made a trip to the store for more.
Day 3 - Pain almost non-existent. Only time I had any difficulty was when I ate. Afterwards, brushed my teeth, applied new wax, and smeared Orabase all over my cheeks and gums. Didn't take any pain meds at all.
Day 4 - Pain was a bit worse, but nothing like day 2. Still ticked my teeth off when I ate, but the Orabase took care of it.
Day 5 â€“ Pain was minimal. Didnâ€™t have to take any pain meds, and only used the Orabase once the whole day.

I noticed a small, clear tab that sticks up above the bracket on my right cuspid. There isn't one on the left, so I don't know if it's supposed to be there, or not. A friend suggested it might be for an elastic, but I would think it would break, or cause the bracket to pop off, under pressure. It doesn't hurt, but my top lip catches on it when I talk or smile.

I'm not sure what I expected, but I wasn't prepared for the amount of pressure I feel on my teeth. DH noticed my front teeth had already shifted the first day, which is pretty cool. I've found that swishing ice cold water feels dang good.

I try to do that when I'm eating, which helps me get through a meal. I was never much of a snacker, but now I really don't want to snack. I have to eat much slower, and I just get tired of working so hard to eat. Needless to say, my meals have gotten smaller. That's actually an unexpected benefit, because I'm trying to lose weight. I guess you could say I'm on the "braces diet." LOL

Look forward to reading about others experience, especially with Damon and Sure Smile. Will try to post some "before" pics and a current pic later.

#2 Post by **Bekah** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:46 am

Congrats on starting on your journey! I look forward to seeing you progress!

#3 Post by **jenny101101** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:57 am

Hi gsb126,

Welcome to the "brace club"!! We seem to have quite similar stories. I have Damon's too and only my uppers braced right now. I go for my lowers to be braced on 04/08. Did your ortho say if you'd be getting turbo bites or molar buildups to stop your top teeth from hitting your lower brackets? Just curious...I will be getting turbos.

What is the Sure Smile system?

Glad to hear overall you're doing well with your braces

.

#4 Post by **gsb126** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:49 am

Hi Jenny. My ortho didn't mention anything about turbos or molar build-ups. The tech said that I'd probably be able to get my lowers on in about 4 months. My impression was my upper teeth would shift enough over the next 4 months to allow for the lowers to go on without any problem. I know for sure they've shifted; some wire is starting to poke out of the back of my second molar bracket on the right side already.

SureSmile is a system where the ortho uses a computerized wand to make images of images of the mouth, showing the exact location of each tooth. Those images go into a software program that allows the ortho to manipulate them in order to achieve the best possible results. Once the ortho is happy with the image, robotics are used to custom make the archwires. I'm paraphrasing, so for more details you may want to check the SureSmile site. It's supposed to provide a better overall result, and shorten the time in braces. It cost an additional $700, but I figured that wasn't much of an addition considering how much I'm already spending.

#5 Post by **adilap** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:59 am

Welcome to the Club. I am finally getting use to my braces but eating is still a pain. I just keep telling myself about the end result. A good friend of mine told me the other day that she is starting to see a difference. It totally brought a big smile to my face. Good Luck on your journey. Keep us posted.

#6 Post by **gsb126** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 8:19 pm

Thanks for the warm welcome, adi.

Eating is still weird, even though it's been a week. Still eating mostly soft foods, and I'm finding I take real small bites of everything and place them on the center of my tongue. When I chew, I'm chewing slow and I don't bite down all the way. In fact, I'd say some of the softer stuff is sort of getting mushed between the roof of my mouth and tongue, instead of my teeth.

Do any of you miss certain foods? I'm a native Texan, all but spoon fed Tex-Mex since birth, and I miss chips and salsa. We had dinner at one of our favorite restaurants tonight, Chuy's, and I jealously watched my DH eating chips before our meal. It's the only time I eat chips, too. Fortunately, enchiladas and tamales are pretty soft - thank goodness! LOL

Oh, and DH's chip days are numbered - he's planning to get braces next year, so I'll re-pay him at some point for eating chips in front of me!

#7 Post by **adilap** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 12:13 pm

I miss chips and popcorn. Me too I mush everything to eat. It's easier to eat when I chew small pieces. It will get better.

#8 Post by **rhonda30** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 4:30 pm

Hi gsb126,

Congrats on your decision to experience braces at midlife. Hope your journey is a smooth one.

Chips and salsa I vaguely remember how good that was. Fortunately I still could partake in the margarita part. Yes there have been several food items I miss nearly, apples and popcorn quickly come to mind.

My ortho experience is coming to an end and next month should mark the end of my braceface days. I have no regrets but look forward to a naked smile.

Look forward following your progress,

Rhonda - http://www.myspace.com/ibbraced

#9 Post by **gsb126** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 6:37 pm

Hi Rhonda.

Congrats on nearing the end of your journey.

I'd forgotten about apples. Last fall, I discovered the honeycrisp variety, and have been looking forward to them again this fall. Guess I'll have to cut them into tiny pieces.

#10 Post by **gsb126** » Wed Apr 02, 2008 6:38 pm

Hi Rhonda.

Congrats on nearing the end of your journey.

I'd forgotten about apples. Last fall, I discovered the honeycrisp variety, and have been looking forward to them again this fall. Guess I'll have to cut them into tiny pieces.