Braced at 40 and having a hard time!

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#1 Post by **SilverGirl** » Mon Sep 06, 2010 2:44 pm

I never had braces as a teen - my teeth didn't shift until I was in my 20's. It's not too severe, but one of my front teeth slightly overlaps the other and it made me feel a little goofy and self-conscious. So FINALLLY, after turning 40 and realizing they weren't going to straighten on their own, I decided to just do it. And now I'm freaking out.

I got them last Wednesday (5 days ago) - clear on top and metal on bottom - and am having a really hard time emotionally. I do not feel like myself, and I'm extremely self-conscious about smiling and talking. I feel ugly and unattractive. My smile is kind of my "thing" - so it's impossible for me not to do it. And even though I know that it will be improved at the end of the process, it is really hard for me to come to terms with the fact that it is going to be ugly for a year.

To make matters worse, I have been waking up in the middle of the night in a panic, wanting to just rip them off my teeth. I'm a little bit claustrophobic, and I would compare it to that feeling.

Has anyone else had this experience? If so, can you suggest how to cope? I'm wondering if I will either need to get medicated to get through this, or if I'm going to need to go in and get them taken off.

Any help or advice would be much appreciated!

#2 Post by **blackapple** » Mon Sep 06, 2010 3:47 pm

I totally understand what you are saying. I remember coming home and looking in the mirror and was thinking for the love of god I do look like ugly Betty. I ended up going to the mall and I was totally self conscious and felt everyone was standing around looking around at me as I sat and tried to eat a sandwich wile I ripped it to shreds. It took a couple of days for me to get used to the look of wearing them. I took some pictures two weekends ago and found out the braces are not noticeable in pictures at all. I feel more confident anyway when I go out when I apply of bit of makeup and my hair looks nice. I still feel and look attractive despite the braces. I panicked too because it was a new experience for me. As for now the look of the braces don't make me cringe. I find now I am so interested in looking at everyone's teeth as I am talking to them.

I tell you I had the compulsive urge to drive myself right back to the orthodontists office the day after they went on. I just couldn't stand the pressure on my teeth. It felt odd and I just didn't like it because it was different sensation from what I was used too. I was consumed with thoughts of my teeth 24/7 and it was horrible at work. I had to keep myself busy because I kept wanting to rip them off. I hated the sensation on my inner lips and kept using wax like it was crack. Then I thought about how much I hated my teeth with all the spacing and flaring I had going on. I thought about how much I hated this experience now but it was going to be well worth it in the end when everything is aligned and how happy I was going to be when the braces did their job and it was time to take them off. It wasn't until last week that I finally felt okay about all this hardware in my mouth and found I was adjusting to the braces. Long story but I wanted to tell you it does get better. You will get used to them. You will forget at a point you are wearing them and your thoughts will be consumed with something else. I have my moments now when I hate the molar bands because they are a pain but the braces itself don't bother me anymore.

#3 Post by **SilverGirl** » Mon Sep 06, 2010 4:34 pm

Thank you so much for your reply! It really helps to know there's someone out there who feels the same way. I really was not expecting to have that kind of a reaction - in fact, the morning I went in I was really excited that I was finally taking care of it. I guess I wasn't expecting it to affect my appearance so much - I have a small mouth (which they kept commenting on when trying to insert the mouth mold thing and lip spacer!) and it makes my lips and mouth look really large when my mouth is closed, and really affects my speech. I hope that my lips stretch out a little as this goes on - I think if I could talk normally I'd feel a lot better.

And I know I've got to keep my eyes on the prize - I've been touching my lopsided top tooth more often to remind myself why I'm doing this.

Thanks again for taking the time to reply - I feel much less alone!

#4 Post by **38Illinois** » Mon Sep 06, 2010 5:43 pm

SilverGirl -

I know exactly what you are going through. I am 38 and been braced for 5 weeks. I am a professional and was concerned what others would think. Truthful, no one cares about our braces and why should they? This is a medical treatment for an issue. And your speech is not as bad as it sounds in your mind. The worst part for me is the soreness and trouble eating. Otherwise I think and feel they are not an issue. It will get better as they weeks pass. Hang in there.

#5 Post by **blackapple** » Mon Sep 06, 2010 6:51 pm

No problem. Just wanted to give you some comfort that the fears you have are short lived. Give yourself a break. You have only had the hardware in your mouth for 5 days. It's going to take longer than that to get used to the braces. I too had some difficulty with my speech the day they went on. Had trouble pronouncing a few syllables. My speech went back to normal awhile ago. Have no trouble at all with regular speech. Back to singing as well with mild difficulty with my diction. I was really worried about that if anything.

Hang in there it will get better

#6 Post by **Samanthak** » Tue Sep 07, 2010 5:47 am

How are you getting on with the braces now? Im 35 and due to have my first braces fitted in a few weeks. My emotions are all over the place - sometimes i feel excited and i cants wait. Other times i feel more worried about how they will look. Im having clear top and bottom but also braces behind my teeth too.

#7 Post by **SilverGirl** » Tue Sep 07, 2010 9:10 am

I actually feel a lot better today - I woke up in the middle of the night, but not in a panic. I don't have any soreness at all today - I think that helps a lot. I still have a hard time talking, but other than that I think I'm adjusting. Tomorrow I'll have a week under my belt - the more time that goes by the better I'll feel, I think. I have my first adjustment at Week 6 - so we'll see how that goes! Then, I think I'll feel better around Month 5 - my ortho said they'll be pretty straight by then, so I'll at least start to see the results of this ordeal!

But really, I'm glad I'm finally doing it - I've put this off for over 10 years. So a year from now when it's all done I'll be thanking myself! And it helps to read of other people's experiences - especially when they're farther along and I can see what the payoff will be.

#8 Post by **SonyaM** » Tue Sep 07, 2010 10:00 am

It's been several weeks for me, and I still have rough days. I'm just not used to all this STUFF in my mouth. :O) I'm sure it will get better.

#9 Post by **catgyrl** » Tue Sep 07, 2010 11:23 am

SilverGirl-

I'm telling you - the day you see that little gap between your two front teeth... when they don't overlap anymore... will be one of the happiest days of your life (or, at least, of your bracing experience). My two front teeth also overlapped all my life and just the other week THE GAP APPEARED!! I was so ecstatic, I was taking pics of my teeth at my desk at work. My coworkers thought I was nuts.

Your ortho's right - once your teeth are pretty much straightened out, your braces will actually look pretty cool and they won't bother you nearly as much.

I smile even more now than I did before braces, because I know I'm fixing my teeth, and I won't look like Mr. Ed anymore. As for the speech - yes, my lisp comes and goes. It's worst when I'm tired or dehydrated. Sometimes I can't even understand what I said, so I just laugh it off and start over. Don't worry - you won't end up sounding like Daffy Duck.

Good luck to you!!
-Cathy

#10 Post by **Sandpiper** » Tue Sep 07, 2010 11:48 am

Hi SilverGirl,

The other posters are right, it does take a few weeks to get used to everything that is going on, and it will get to the point (soon) when you forget everything about the braces. As others have said, there is NOTHING like seeing progress (which you will start to see soon) to encourage you on your way, and to make you feel you definitely made the right decision. Time passes quickly, and I feel fairly sure that nothing in your treatment will be as traumatic as this first brace encounter. Good luck, and let us know how you get on!

#11 Post by **SilverGirl** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 10:13 am

Thanks, everyone - it's been exactly a week today and I'm starting to feel much, much better about the whole thing. A couple days ago I really thought I was going to have to go in and have them taken off, but now I'm looking forward to seeing the progress and having this taken care of for good! Your comments and advice have really helped - thanks so much!

#12 Post by **musicluver** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 6:52 pm

Oh man, can I relate to each and every post! I'm in my second week, just started back at work and feel like I'm coming unglued!! I DO need medication to get me through some nights cuz I can't sleep and all I do is lay there and think about the wire cutters in the next room that can clip this bite plate out of my mouth!! I work with young preschoolers who actually look afraid of me when I smile at them! And trying to read to them is awful!! I'm glad to know I'm not the only one. I would like to know how long it will be before it stops hurting every day... I am taking pain pills every day, too! Silvergirl, I'm wishing you the best of luck. Please keep us updated on how you are doing. And thanks for giving me some hope, too!

#13 Post by **Theresa48** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 7:02 pm

Hey Silver! I felt the same, and I cried every day for a week and was sure I made the wrong decision, but it was too late and I had a tooth pulled right in the front which made it even worse!

I still hate my braces, but my teeth are looking great, so...It has gotten "better" but it still is a drag.

I also have a very small mouth, so it feels like a full mouth of junk all the time. I teach too, so after a day of lectures, my mouth is killing me.

I look at some pictures and it hardly looks like braces. Because our mouths are small, our teeth are also small and so the brackets are closer together.

How long do you have? I have 20 more months. It is taking longer for me to "get used" to these things...I can relate to the feeling of claustrophobia...it comes and goes.

I have lost 15-20 lbs. Eating is not a joy, and my bands trigger a gag reflex that makes eating a horrible experience...I'm so hungry, but chewing food makes me gag...so, hello smoothees.

Chew gum. That has been the best advice on this forum...somehow, it is comforting...you just have to be careful.

#14 Post by **midlifesmile** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 7:25 pm

45 and braced for the first time. I didn't worry and don't worry about what others think. BUT, I am a stay at home mom so I am not in a professional setting. I have had only ONE snarky comment and it was from the one person I knew would have something stupid to say.

I have not slept well AT ALL since I had my braces put on. I mean, 3-4 hours a night for over three weeks. I don't know if it is the braces or life. (kid going back to college and another starting high school and business and my tennis serve

and, and, and.) So who knows. I'm not in pain any longer so that isn't keeping me up......

I have turbos on my two upper front teeth and that really blows!!!! My ortho warned me that I would want to drive back to the office the day after I had them put on and DEMAND he take the braces off!

He also told me I would hate him as well! I replied, "Nah, I've got a good 40 pounds to loose so I love you!" 23 days and 10 pounds so I gotta say he's my friend.

I am still getting used to the drooling, chapped lips, a bit of a Sylvester accent due to the turbos but I think I will survive. But I do hate hate hate the little sores I keep getting in various spots on my tongue. Thank heaven for Orajel.

I'm glad to know I am not alone.

Thu Sep 09, 2010 3:13 am

I'm telling you - the day you see that little gap between your two front teeth... when they don't overlap anymore... will be one of the happiest days of your life (or, at least, of your bracing experience). My two front teeth also overlapped all my life and just the other week THE GAP APPEARED!! I was so ecstatic, I was taking pics of my teeth at my desk at work. My coworkers thought I was nuts.

I had that moment this morning. I'd seen a tiny tiny gap a couple of weeks ago but I thought I was imagining it. This morning I was looking in the mirror checking I'd cleaned my teeth properly, and suddenly I realised I had a huge gaping hole there! (well, it seems huge when you are used to them being crossed over!).

Also this morning I was talking to one of my colleagues and I laughed, and she said 'wow, your teeth are really moving now'.

I am so deleriously happy about my teeth right now. Yesterday was a horrible day (first day with new invasalign aligner - a particularly painful one) but today the pain is gone, I'm noticing better teeth, my colleague noticed better teeth. Amazing.

Finally, after 2 months in, I'm seeing the benifits of all this pain and hassle!

Hang on in there, this is so worth it. [/quote]