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In a little over 2 weeks I will be going in for my spacers. I’m really worried about getting the them. I don’t know how many I will have to get but I have a really hard time flossing my back teeth so I can only see spacers as being torture. Something as thin as floss gets stuck and I have to yank it out and the floss shreds. (Its pretty tight back there). Is there any way to prepare for spacers at all to make the experience any easier? I’ve read many posts here about spacers but all advice is welcomed. Someone please help me ease my anxiety.
I wouldn't worry. They are uncomfortable, but you only wear them for a short time. My teeth were very close together too, but either way a spacer goes where there shouldn't be room for anything to go anyway, hence why they are used, so that doesn't really matter
Just know they will be slightly painful for a while or uncomfortable, and that's all you can do to prepare. I would also say try to eat normally with them, instead of living off soft foods. Fight the spacers, don't succumb to their power!
My teeth were very tight before I got my spacers, 8 of them, and it wasn't that bad. The ortho's assistant had to work a little bit harder to get them in. There was a little bit of soreness for a day or two after...but consider this as a training on how braces will make your teeth feel after every adjustment. As they say "No pain, no gain", but it's all worth it. Nobody said that having braces is easy. I am 6 months into my braces process and no matter how I felt in certain days I know that this is the best thing I've ever done for myself.
I'm sorry, but I have no tips on how to prepare for spacers, and honestly I don't really think that there are any tricks.
The braces experience is different for every individual.
Don't be worried about a thing.
Congratulations on making the first step towards braces and good luck in your journey.
I had 8 as well, in May...........then they had to take my molar bands off in October to make a TPA, so I had 4 for 2 days...........in Jan they will take the TPA out and put molar bands on my farthest back molars, so I will need them again for a week......they are not pleasant, but I certainly wouldn't stress about it...a little motrin and soup and you are fine!
I think I had 12, because I had 2 put in the front too (I had expansion surgery because my jaw was so crowded)- but I had to take the front 2 out because they hurt too much (they weren't essential, so my ortho was ok with it). I also ended up wearing them for 3 weeks
But 12, or 10, isn't usually the normal amount, nor is 3 weeks! Once you get used to them you just get on with it. And the actual fitting of the spacers is quick and simple
I just had metal spacers put in yesterday, and they're FAR worse than the regular plastic kind. I guess I'm just lucky and have extra tight teeth!
I found that taking Ibuprofen really helped, and I didn't really alter the foods I ate when I had plastic spacers. You have them for such a short amount of time it's not really worth it to stress too much!
My molars were soo tight, it took them so long to put them in. They didnt hurt at first, but by the next day they hurt so much, even if i just accidentally clicked them together. But it got better every single day, and by the fourth day or so I couldnt even feel them anymore.
I wouldnt worry about it. It wont hurt for long, and it gives you a good idea of what its going to feel like when your teeth start moving from braces.
Personally, I like the way my teeth hurt a little bit, they always feel like they have a little bit of pressure and I know my teeth are moving! It gets me excited
Spacers in Aug. '09
MARA without elbows on Aug/09
Braces on Nov. 20/09
Elbows for MARA in Feb. 25/10
Braces off August 26, 2010!
Essix Retainers
Thanks to everyone who posted a reply. I guess I have to just wait and see for myself how it goes. It looks like I should be hoping for plastic spacers. We will see. 2 more weeks. I understand that I wont have them for long, I just keep reading so many negative things about them. At least I get to enjoy this last Christmas dinner without anything in my mouth.
Don't worry about them though- yes they are painful, but it's not intense pain that will be detrimental to your day to day activities, it just means you will have to stick to soft foods for a while. You just have to go with it and see how you react to them, and just grit your teeth and get on with it.
I just got my spacers out on Friday (18th). I had them in for 8 days, 8 in total. Not a fan of them and don't wish to have them again. The first day was fine, second day the pain started, and third day the pain continued and the irritation to pull them out started. By the fourth day, the pain started to go away and they were 'not' annoying me as much.
By the time they took them out on day 8, there was some relief but I was used to them already. I took pain meds and they helped some, but cold drinks, etc were the best.
In comparison I have very little to none in regards to pain or discomfort with the braces now.
I didn't experience any pain when I had spacers. I felt some discomfort because my jaws felt kind of tired (that's the best way I can put it) but it definitely wasn't bad. I know there are a lot of posts that say spacers will hurt a lot and can be worse than braces in terms of pain, but that's not for everyone. I have a low pain tolerance and honestly, I didn't experience any pain at all. With that said though, I was taking Advil every couple of hours. I took some before my appointment, continued to take it at regular intervals, and took Advil PM the first few nights. I think I had my spacers in for a week. I don't even remember anymore. Anyway, I would just recommend taking some painkillers before you go and keep taking it as directed for the first few days. Don't let any possible pain kick in.
Thanks cathykay. I’m glad to see you experienced no pain. Your spacers were good to you. I’m sure Ill be fine. Although I’m really not a fan of pain pills. I will take them before my appointments though but hopefully I can pull through without taking too many.
Beakon20- I will try the cold drinks too. Thanks
Oh and so glad I was able to enjoy the big Christmas dinner.
8 spacers here as well. In my experience, the braces are a breeze compared to the spacers. The uneasiness should subside after a week or so. I agree with beakon20, cold drinks are a must. I was constantly drinking ice water when I wore spacers.
I don’t know how many I will have to get but I have a really hard time flossing my back teeth so I can only see spacers as being torture. 
Something as thin as floss gets stuck and I have to yank it out and the floss shreds. (Its pretty tight back there). Is there any way to prepare for spacers at all to make the experience any easier? I’ve read many posts here about spacers but all advice is welcomed. Someone please help me ease my anxiety.
I will post later to let you know how it went.