*Tamsin's brace story*- Brace Day 9th Sept 08- Ow it hurts!

[tamsin23]

Hi everyone,

Have spent the last few days reading everyones stories and thought I would join in!

My name is Tamsin and I'm 23.

I had fixed braces when I was 13, but my teeth seemed to move back and for the last few years, all I seem to do is focus on my teeth in photos and try and smile with my mouth closed!!

I have had a pretty awful few years (my parents passed away- My mum suffering with cancer for 18 months and myself being the main caregiver) but now things are beginning to get back to 'normal'. It may seem strange, but this is my treat to myself- I am so looking forward to the end result! I am hoping to do a post graduate degree in October 2009 with a beautiful smile!

Anyway, I decided to take the plunge and get braces again. My main concerns are my upper front teeth which are large and stick out and crowded lower front teeth.

My Brace day was yesterday 9th September 2008, where I got clear fixed upper and metal fixed lower.

Oh gosh, I am suffering with them at the moment! All teeth, especially the front are very tender and it hurts to touch- I am feeling a lot of pressure. My mouth feels very big and it hurts to smile and laugh (the metal scrapes the inside of my cheeks).
I cannot eat properly and seem to be breaking tiny food up with my tongue. I am feeling hungry all the time and starting to wish I hadn't got braces at all! I also don't like how I look and have no idea how people will react at work.
As you can tell, I am just feeling very sorry for myself at the moment. I have taken before and after pictures which I will post in a bit!

[lauren]

aww GOOD LUCK! I have spacers right now which are TORTURE and get my braces on Monday. I hope it gets better! Can't wait to see pics!

[spinninglaura]

hey tasmin,

they say the first 48hours are the worst and it gets easier from there on! Im also 23 and have braces put on 3rd october! Im starting my postgraduate course this year... with braces!!! am thinking i may be mad!

How long do you have to have your braces for? Will be intrested to hear how it goes as my problems (overcorwding lower and big upper teeth etc) are simillar to yours.

Godd luck!!
Laura

[tamsin23]

Thank you for the support I managed to eat a bit of cheese and tomatoes and quorn (veggie meat) for dinner and a yoghurt, so not too hungry now.

I think I will buy some instant soup for work- I go back on Friday. Noone knows i've got braces so it should be interesting!

I have been told my braces will be on for 9 to 12 months- Not so bad.

Good luck for both ofyour brace days!

[bracesweden]

Hi Tamsin!

Good that you are taking the plunge now...otherwise probably you would have regretted not doing it. I got braced almost 24 days back and I can understand when you say that your brackets hurt pinch. I had a rough time in the beginning, but not from tender teeth, but from brackets and lingual bracket like thing on the banded teeth. But the pain/irritation goes away quite soon - like within 3-4 days.

All you need to concentrate now is on keeping extremely good oral hygiene - as it is a challenge when even opening your mouth feels like torture. Hang in there, it is definitely worth it (I keep telling myself that). And hey, you are only 23!!!! Time flies when you are young!

Do post pics when you have time - would be interesting to see the progress.

Ciao for now!

[tamsin23]

Hi everyone,

2 days since brace day. Mouth is beginning to feel less strange- but still cannot chew. Been swallowing whole bits of soft pasta and having a lot of soup! Managed some raspberrys broken into little bits which was a nice healthy change!

Went to the hairdressers today as a hair model- Never done it before but would recommend it! I usually pay £100 (approx $190) to have my hair coloured, styled etc (which is a lot of money but I love the salon!). Anyway, I had my hair coloured, cut and blow dried curly for free today. The trainee was supervised by the manager so I wasn't worried. Has helped me feel a bit prettier. Going back to work tomorrow- taking my mouthwash and electric toothbrush with me, as soup seems to go everywhere, even though its liquid!

[spinninglaura]

are you veggie? Iam and am hoping Quorn will be soft enought to eat!!
Im also thinking about avacado! trying to prep up a healthy list of things i will be able to eat!!

Good luck with work... im sure it will be fine... especially if armed with mouthwash and electic toothbrush!

Laura

[leager2000]

Hey Tamsin23,

Welcome to AW! First of all, I am sorry to hear about your mom. I work in oncology and see patients battle cancer daily. Your mom was fortunate to have you as a caregiver.

I was braced 5 months ago and remeber my first weeks very vividly. The pain set in about 24 hours and I could not chew food for about 3 days. I literally swallowed my food without chewing. When I did begin to chew, I was always hungry after I ate. It seemed that all the food was stuck in my brackets. To this day, I do not know if that was just psychological or what. My teeth were tender for about 2-3 weeks. After that I could eat what I wanted. I did lose 10 pounds in the first 2 months.

When I got home and was able to look at my teeth, I cried. I got braces to close a space, and the braces seemed to magnify it. I called a friend for comfort and noticed the lisp. I could have passed out. I interact with people a lot at work and could not imagine returning to work with a speech impediment. I truly, truly regretted getting braces.

I am much better now. My space has decreased in size from 5mm to 3mm; I have tenderness after adjustments, but it is not anything like before; and my weight is back to my baseline. I am so thrilled with my progress. Did I mention that the lisp is gone? This will get better and you will have an awesome smile as a result.