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I am Liz... and I am scheduled to get braced on Saturday... for the second time in my life! The first time I wore them for 2 years from ages 12-14 but after 3 years of having them off, my retainer broke... and a few of my teeth shifted. I was really reluctant to get braces for a second time, and thought about invisalign since my problem is not real severe but I decided I would just go with braces and brave it out.
My ortho said that I will have them "no longer than a year" so I hope he is right about it because I would love to have them off in time for my 21st birthday and my senior year in college! I am pretty nervous about it but I have already told most of my friends about it and my boyfriend is being very supportive, and I think he is even thinking about getting braces himself.. Probably because I am always talking about them! Haha.
I am pretty sure I will be getting clear braces... The ortho I am going to has the clear RADIANCE brackets... They look really pretty in the brochure. I am just afraid of staining the ligs, and I want to only get ligs that are clear or light so I'm a little nervous but I will be cutting back on certain foods.
I just thought I would introduce myself and talk about my upcoming braces journey. I hope everyone is doing okay and I would love to hear people's experience with clear braces? Any problems?
I am wearing ceramic braces with clear ligs on my six front teth. They look great, and sometimes people only notice them after I have been talking to them for half an hour!
It has only been two weeks now, but although I drink black coffee everyday I haven't stained my ligs. I am careful about at least rinsing with some water afterwards and I drink it with a straw .
My boyfriend also wears braces, and I'm wearing them because I got so enthusiastic about his results!
Hey, I'm around your age. I'll be turning 21 this October and just got braces though, so there's no chance of me be brace-free for my birthday. Instead, I'm looking forward to being brace-free for when I have a job and when I get married one day, haha. Lucky you for potentially being brace-free by your 21st!
I just got braces a few days ago - it hasn't even been a week - but I'm SO happy I went with ceramic braces for my uppers. That was a GREAT decision as I'm not a fan of my metal lowers, so I'm really really glad I decided to go for ceramic on the top. I know that ceramic brackets are bigger than metal brackets but honestly, I didn't have much of a problem at all with them rubbing against my cheek or lips. They felt uncomfortable the first two days but then I got used to them. I think you will be very happy if you opt for ceramic braces because they aren't as flashy as metal, so you won't feel as self-conscious (if you think that may be an issue).
Thanks to both of you ladies for your positive responses... I am actually feeling pretty anxious/excited to get them on! I love the way ceramic braces look... I mean they're not completely invisible but they are a little more subtle. I heard they are bigger so I hope my lips don't stick out too far... I am sure I will get used to the size though.
Rak, that is amazing that you have been able to drink black coffee and not stain them... that makes me feel more optimistic because I too am a big coffee fan (especially around finals time). I also think it is really cute you and your boyfriend have braces together! I think mine is thinking about it... so we'll see.
Cathykay,
Yay, it's nice to hear from someone who is my age! And yeah I am glad I may be brace free for the 21st birthday but I don't want to get my hopes too high... But just like you I am ultimately looking forward to being brace free for my wedding day one day! Especially since that is a day where tons of smiley pictures will be taken. Exciting! It makes me happy hearing good things about ceramic.
I will update when I get them on this weekend and hope for the best!
Congratulations on your decision! I'm 34 and have been in braces for a week today. I have ceramics on my lower and upper teeth. So far, I haven't had a problem with staining. I've been eating tomato sauce and drinking hot chocolate.
The braces are a bit larger and make your lips stick out ever so slightly. However, it's a good thing. Looks like I had my limps "plumped". My husband is still afraid to kiss me because he doesn't want to hurt my teeth
People I work with still haven't noticed my braces. Don't worry about how they will look because you'll hardly be able to see them.
I am glad your first week is going well and yay for no staining! That's good that you like the plumped look the braces give you... I guess I'm just nervous because I already have a pouty mouth so I hope I don't look funny! And wow that's crazy your co-workers have not noticed... That means they really are discrete!
I am also concerned because I get them on this Saturday at around 2pm and my good friend is having a huge birthday party that night. I am not sure if I will be in pain( I don't remember how I felt the first time I had braces anymore). Has anyone had to go out the first night in braces? Is it still hard/awkward to talk? She really wants me to go but I am not sure how I will feel as a lot of friends will be there, and I am afraid I will be lisping a lot and in pain..
You should be able to attend the party. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Eat a big lunch/dinner when you get home from being braced. Your teeth won't start to ache until later in the evening.
2. Take some pain relievers (Aleeve, Motrin, etc.) before the party to alleviate the pain.
3. Bring a kit with you to clean your teeth if you eat at the party.
You won't be lisping as bad as you think. I went right to work after I had mine put on. I ate a big lunch and took some Aleeve. That did the trick. If you don't act self-conscious about your braces, nobody will even notice.
Talking does take time to get used to because you have something foreign in your mouth. Sing along to the radio, call family and friends that know to practice talking.
Hope this helps and have a GREAT time at the party!
Thank you hal2me for all those helpful tips! Tomorrow is the big day and I am trying to stay positive and hoping for the best. I wish the party was not tomorrow night but I will be going... and hoping that I don't feel self conscious! One of my best friends is going with me and she also wears braces so she'll be my support
Hi collegegirl, I went out the first night in braces, and it wasn't so bad... that being said I have a few things to add to the list: Oragel is a must! When the brackets started rubbing my gums it hurt really bad, but a little dab of oragel helped a lot. Second; take wax! People can't really tell it's on when you're talking and it will also help with the rubbing brackets.
I have metal braces and no one really noticed I had them until I showed them off. Just talk like you normally would and you'll be fine, it's when you start trying to talk so you keep them covered that people notice somethings off.
I have had my braces for a month now and the only stares I've had have been from kids in my daughters class. A couple of girls were doing the little point and snickers, but they are 8 and 9... what do they know
Have fun with your braces and good luck tomorrow!
thanks pegasus2425 for more helpful advice. The party is tonight.. so I hope I have a good time and oragel sounds like a good idea!
I have the braces on finally! The pain is not too bad yet... and I am really impressed with how clear they are!
My only concern... I feel like the brackets on my top teeth are too low. I have pretty big teeth and the brackets are a lot lower than I thought they would be. I feel like if they were a bit higher then it would look more like I am wearing a retainer (since the brackets are clear) but since its so low, I think its more obvious that its braces. Are they usually somewhat in the middle of the tooth? I hope I am making sense.... I hope they didn't just accidentally bond them too low. Any input would be great!
No I'm pretty sure your ortho didn't place anything by accident. My brackets are also pretty low on my teeth, especially on the front ones. My only guess is for leverage and to tilt the teeth into the right angle.
Honestly I wouldn't worry to much about what people think. For 1 I don't think they'll care that you have braces. And for another thing, just remember, you're not doing this for anyone but yourself! You'll have beautiful teeth in no time, so relax and try not to worry so much.
Have fun tonight. And post pics soon!
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I also think it is really cute you and your boyfriend have braces together! I think mine is thinking about it... so we'll see. 
