Need Advice!!!

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#1 Post by b » Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:41 am

I have a question for anyone who has already started braces. I need your honest opinion because everyone I ask doesnt have braces and has never had them.
I have 2 staff christmas parties coming up, one this saturday (nov. 21) and one next saturday (nov. 28). Last time I was at the ortho he said I will need to get the braces put on next appointment. My appointment is Nov. 20th. I started getting nervous about getting them before the christmas parties, so I asked when they could get me in after the 28th. If I dont get them on friday, I will have to wait untill December 10th.
My question is: how bad is it for the first few weeks? Should I wait or just get it over with? I dont want to miss out on all the good food and I dont want to be in pain either.
What would you guys do If you had the choice?

#2 Post by **tori*anne** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:01 am

In my honest opinion, I would wait. I am a TOTAL food junkie. My life revolves around food. I love to cook, bake, watching cooking shows, study cook books.
I got my top braces on 5 days ago. I have been living on mashed everything, milkshakes, coffee and pudding. The worst part is that my tongue is completely cut up from the top molar bands. I will say, this being day 5, it is a LITTLE bit better but I still cannot eat any crunchy foods without it hurting BADLY. I miss caesar salads, steak and chips!

If you've waited a while, I say why not wait a little while longer? Enjoy the holidays. And then when the New Year comes, start your treatment.

That's just my opinion... but whatever you chose, I congratulate you on taking the plunge to improve your smile!

Good luck. Let us know how it goes once you get them on!

- Tori

#3 Post by **TumbleDryLow** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:11 am

Everyone differs on the severity, but yes, your teeth will be sore, and yes, the inside of your mouth will be raw. Advil takes away some of the tooth pain. Various pain relieving gels and mouthwashes will help with the chaffing. But I won't mince words---for most people life sucks for the first few days. I got my braces two years ago right about this time--right before Thanksgiving and Christmas. I could eat---I stuck to the soft stuff and chewed really, really slowly. I cut everything up which made it easier. But it was the first holiday season where I lost weight.

So......I can totally understand if you postpone. There is never the perfect time to get braces, but if experiencing the holidays to the fullest is really important to you, I'd wait.

#4 Post by b » Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:31 am

I called to change my appointment to the 10th of Dec., But they didnt have that appointment available anymore and they are really busy and I dont want to wait too long.. I should just get it over with on friday. I think I could stand to lose a few pounds anyways.
Thanks for the advice guys.

#5 Post by **jxds** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 1:27 pm

I think you took the right decision. Life is not easy the first days or weeks in braces, but you'll always find an excuse to postpone. When I took the decision I just wanted them to start right away and the weeks I waited were really long. You'll probably find trouble eating the first days, but your social life can go on normally, and the sooner you start, the sooner you'll get used to them and in no time you'll be eating (almost) normally!

Congratulations!

#6 Post by **Laura1985** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 1:53 pm

I think it's good you're getting them on the 10th. That way you will of had your staff parties, but will have enough time to get used to them before other holiday events/dinners. Hope everything works out great for you! And congratulations on getting braces!

#7 Post by **Laura1985** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 1:58 pm

Ahh forgive me, I misread your post. My other take is that at least you will get it over with and will have less pre-braces anxiety. I play in an adult dodgeball league and got my braces an hour before our playoffs. I was mortified to walk into that gym and have to show so many people all at once- but I kind of got the worst over with and that was nice. I hope you still have a good time at your parties! Everyone's experience is different so hopefully your mouth won't be too much trouble and you can enjoy the good food and good company!

#8 Post by **Bellalalala** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 2:08 pm

I got my braces just 2 days before orientation at a new school where I met all of the people I am going to spend every day of the next 4 years with.

There were a ton of activities and parties that week, and I was definitely in a lot of discomfort, but I still had a great time!

It turned out to actually be a great conversation starter, and it oddly made people flirt with me more, which was pretty funny.

Go for it, make it a conversation piece and an excuse to drink a little too much! I found beer very very soothing on my cheeks.

#9 Post by b » Tue Nov 17, 2009 2:09 pm

Yeah sorry, my post is a little bit confusing, I wish you could edit your posts!
Anyways, I decided to change my appointment to the 10th, but it wasnt available anymore. I asked what they had after that and it was the 16th or the 30th. I just want to get it done, so I decided to do it this friday, regardless of the christmas parties I'll be attending. Ill post some pictures soon.. Apparantly I'll only need braces for a year so the sooner I get them the better the chance is Ill have it off by my birthday next year and christmas.
P.S. my birthday is tomorrow, so I should have them off next year by my 21st birthday *crosses fingers*

#10 Post by **zabine12** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 7:39 pm

I got braced 2 weeks ago w/damon 3's & also to my surprise had 4 extractions! Thought I was going to get them a couple months into having braces but ortho said it'd be better now. So it was really weird dealing w/having metal & gaps!

The first 2 days the pain was pretty much nothing 1 motrin pill couldn't relieve! I did get 2 canker sores that hurt more but used numbing medicine on them. So basically the worst thing is not being able to EAT what you want. The first 4 days or so my talking was kind of weird. Now I haven't even used wax on any brackets & have no pain, well unless they're hunger pains!

GOOD LUCK!!