New to Braces and I hate it

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#16 Post by **ellen** » Wed Apr 14, 2010 12:31 pm

And remember, every day that you have your braces is one day closer to getting them off. I've never regretted getting braces. I have a VERY LOW tolerance for pain, but when my teeth ache or I get a new sore on the inside of my mouth I know my teeth are moving where they are supposed to go and it makes me very happy and tolerant of the pain. In fact, I'm disappointed when my teeth don't hurt b/c I think they're not moving.

Compare pics of prebraces or just-got-braces-on with your teeth on the same day every week and you will see the changes and they will make you very happy.

#17 Post by **essdee** » Thu Apr 15, 2010 12:50 am

Good for you, Maggi

Amazing how quickly you can grow to tolerate them, isn't it.

Now don't read too much into this, because every case is different, but I'm in braces to fix an open bite and I've already seen some difference after just a couple of months. My bite looks well on the way to closing up (just on one side so far, but it's still progress!).

However, since my most recent adjustment four weeks ago hardly anything has happened. My teeth have hardly hurt at all, which, as ellen above has said, is disappointing because it makes you think they're not moving!

Patience is the key to this sometimes humbling and often very tedious experience!

#18 Post by **Maggi** » Thu Apr 15, 2010 11:13 am

I am also now paying more attention to the way I dress. I try to dress in such a way that the focus is not anywhere near my mouth or teeth. I try to wear little light colored clothes, have colored my hair lighter, go with the hair style which suits my face with braces etc. In short, I am doing more effort to look presentable.

#19 Post by **24braceface** » Thu Apr 15, 2010 3:07 pm

Adalia wrote:Hi everyone !
I am new too and I feel just like Maggi. I'm 35 a teacher and mom of 3 boys 5 and under. I just got metal braced on Saturday to mainly close a gap that runs in the family . I feel the braces make me look like a crazy woman who may eat her students ( if only she could eat) . I don't know if I should laugh or cry especially since I kind of let my ortho talk me out of ceramics which may have helped me feel more comfortable . Then I saw pictures on this site and many of the women have the ceramic and look great. I keep second guessing my decision and now covet what I did not get I hope things get better.

Estimated time in braces : 13-16 months
first adjustment: May 3

okay this is dumb but how did you guys insert those little "days in braces" ticker things?

LOL you made me giggle. I honestly don't think people are paying as much attention to your mouth as you might think. I don't like wearing braces but I find that most people don't care or notice. I had my braces on for months before my some of my own relatives noticed and I see them often. It was also a long time before my roommate noticed too. Trust me, even though most of us can't wait to get our braces off, people have more important things to worry about than what's in your mouth.

#20 Post by **tsmurfenator** » Thu Apr 15, 2010 4:05 pm

Maggi wrote:I am also now paying more attention to the way I dress. I try to dress in such a way that the focus is not anywhere near my mouth or teeth. I try to wear little light colored clothes, have colored my hair lighter, go with the hair style which suits my face with braces etc. In short, I am doing more effort to look presentable.

I found this helpful when I first got braces, to get over the attention which I thought they would attract. I wore some crazy clothes or put my hair so it would attract more attention than the braes ... took my mind off of the braces.

Four months later I don't care. Nobody notices any more.

#21 Post by **Snowglobe32** » Thu Apr 15, 2010 7:46 pm

Yesterday I hit 7 months since getting braces, the only thing I hate now, is having to write the check to the ortho every month. You will be amazed at how quickly the "this isn't really that big of a deal" phase hits you.

After some time, braces become like a scar, you know how it got there but you don't really notice it anymore.

#22 Post by **Snowglobe32** » Thu Apr 15, 2010 7:47 pm

I should also add, I have lost 20 lbs since getting braces. Most of that was within the first 4 months. This makes me very happy!

#23 Post by **ashesgap** » Fri Apr 16, 2010 6:39 am

Snowglobe32 wrote:I should also add, I have lost 20 lbs since getting braces. Most of that was within the first 4 months. This makes me very happy!

Congrats on that! 20 seems to be a magic number, that is what i gained quitting smoking and that is what i wish i could lose.
These braces have not been bad at all. You really do forget you even have them sometimes. Then you eat, and spend 10 minutes cleaning them, and get a little snarky about it again.

#24 Post by **Maggi** » Fri Apr 16, 2010 10:16 am

Snowglobe32 wrote:I should also add, I have lost 20 lbs since getting braces. Most of that was within the first 4 months. This makes me very happy!

I am also losing weight & I don't want to. 1 or 2 pounds losing is also a big deal for me. I am 5 feet 4 inches & now weigh 101 pounds. dunno what to do

#25 Post by **footpounds** » Fri Apr 16, 2010 11:20 am

Really just making my mandatory 1st post within 12 hours. Ha! Braces put on Wednesday (2 days ago). So far...so good!

#26 Post by **Snowglobe32** » Fri Apr 16, 2010 1:00 pm

Maggi,

Is the weight loss from not being able to eat/chew? I think mine is more from not snacking so much, since I don't feel like brushing! If yours is from not being able to eat (since you are new to braces), you will be able to eat normally very shortly.

I am the opposite of you, I am only 5 feet tall. So 20 lbs looks like 40!

#27 Post by **Maggi** » Fri Apr 16, 2010 1:18 pm

Dunno how I am losing weith really!! I don't want to look sick. My husband is now scared the way I am losig wieght. Can it be from the pain kileers I take almost on regular basis for back pain or headache?

#28 Post by **nessness** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 6:04 am

I got mine recently too, and it does sort out the 'crooked' ones pretty quick.

My right tooth was more crooked than the rest it kind of slanted inwards towards my mouth, now it aligning and it hasn't been long.
So don't worry, you will get used to them soooo fast!

I think after two days I fell in love with mine (wiiiierd) but I love having it on my teeth, just really really think about the future and youll feel better

#29 Post by **CeliacMom** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 8:17 am

Maggi, get some of those Ensure drinks. They will give you nutrients and some calories and you can drink them instead of chewing.

I got my braces a week ago and I have been living on Carnation Instant Breakfast and cottage cheese. But I would love to lose 20 lbs!

My daughter asked me the other night if I wanted some ice cream (my favorite!) and I said no, because I had already brushed my teeth and I didn't want to have to do it again

#30 Post by **DrBlur** » Tue Apr 20, 2010 9:44 am

^yeah, I've been avoiding eating, both because it's uncomfortable and because cleaning my braces is a pain!