Still, I'm glad I did this, even though right now I'm still in the discomfort stage. Every day that passes is one day closer to getting these darn things off!55 and just got braces!
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55 and just got braces!
Hi -- I'm new to this board, and just got my new braces 5 days ago, at age 55! I feel extremely self-conscious, and hate that it's hard to talk with these things. I hope it gets better! I'd been in despair the past few years about time passing too quickly, but now that I have braces it will probably drag by! Still, I'm glad I did this, even though right now I'm still in the discomfort stage. Every day that passes is one day closer to getting these darn things off!
Still, I'm glad I did this, even though right now I'm still in the discomfort stage. Every day that passes is one day closer to getting these darn things off!Welcome, revontuli! You are definitely in good company and will feel very supported on this forum. I am 58, and only months into treatment with surgery proposed sometime next spring. I have definitely experienced the time slowing down phenomenon after being braced. I am, however, amazed at how quickly my teeth have moved, and that has really given me a morale boost!
I give a silent cheer every time I read that another 50+ person has taken the plunge!
I give a silent cheer every time I read that another 50+ person has taken the plunge!
Oh good -- someone finally responded! 
Thank you for the encouragement -- it's *much* appreciated. I've been feeling more blue about these braces than I thought I would, as I was so excited and antsy to get started, finally. I know I'll eventually get used to them, but I'm not there yet. Mostly I'm nervous about what little kids will think, can you believe it? I don't want to scare the poor little things!
Thank you for the encouragement -- it's *much* appreciated. I've been feeling more blue about these braces than I thought I would, as I was so excited and antsy to get started, finally. I know I'll eventually get used to them, but I'm not there yet. Mostly I'm nervous about what little kids will think, can you believe it? I don't want to scare the poor little things!
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SilverGirl
- Posts: 144
- Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 1:36 pm
Welcome to the braced world! I'm 40 and have been braced almost 3 weeks. The first week I thought I'd have a nervous breakdown - forgot all about my crooked teeth and was freaking out about the braces. I really thought I was going to have to get them taken off.
After about a week, though, I calmed down and remembered my crooked teeth. Now I'm just counting down the days, realizing every day that goes by is another day I'll never have to do this again!
But I really was unprepared for the emotional fallout - I wasn't expecting to be so self-conscious at my age. It is definitely a humbling experience! One thing that is helping me is that I'm updating my teaching certificate at the same time - for some reason it helps to have that secondary goal. I'm considering it a transformational year!
After about a week, though, I calmed down and remembered my crooked teeth. Now I'm just counting down the days, realizing every day that goes by is another day I'll never have to do this again!
But I really was unprepared for the emotional fallout - I wasn't expecting to be so self-conscious at my age. It is definitely a humbling experience! One thing that is helping me is that I'm updating my teaching certificate at the same time - for some reason it helps to have that secondary goal. I'm considering it a transformational year!
Even at 2+ months, I have to wear wax on certain teeth so my lips don't snag when I smile, and the brackets still feel rough. I can say, however, that my braces bother me less and less as time goes on.
One of the other "mature" members on here said that at least SOMETHING about her will be looking better in a year or two. I'm adopting that attitude and trying to focus on the end result.
One of the other "mature" members on here said that at least SOMETHING about her will be looking better in a year or two. I'm adopting that attitude and trying to focus on the end result.
Oh, I love you all already! Thank you for being out there, as I was feeling like the lone wolf for a while there. Silvergirl, I think I recall reading another post of yours about your first reaction to braces (I think the word claustrophobia came up?) and it really struck me. I'm so glad to hear you're feeling better. Today is the 1 week anniversary of having my braces put on, and I woke up not feeling depressed for the first time since then. So I think I'm on my way to feeling better too. I won't settle for my old teeth anymore, so the only choice is to forge ahead. The thought of having a lovely smile is a HUGE motivation. Must be, for all of us to be doing this! 
When I first realized I could no longer floss my teeth normally, I thought, "How will I stand not being able to floss normally for TWO YEARS?!" ... but I read that when you get adjustments they take off the wire and let you floss away -- I hope so. (I'm still flossing, of course, but it's just not as satisfying as the normal way.)
I got such a kick out of the comment of Rizzie's friend who said that at least *something* would look better in two years. LOL! I'm definitely going to keep that one in mind. Love it!
Thank you for being out there, as I was feeling like the lone wolf for a while there. Silvergirl, I think I recall reading another post of yours about your first reaction to braces (I think the word claustrophobia came up?) and it really struck me. I'm so glad to hear you're feeling better. Today is the 1 week anniversary of having my braces put on, and I woke up not feeling depressed for the first time since then. So I think I'm on my way to feeling better too. I won't settle for my old teeth anymore, so the only choice is to forge ahead. The thought of having a lovely smile is a HUGE motivation. Must be, for all of us to be doing this! When I first realized I could no longer floss my teeth normally, I thought, "How will I stand not being able to floss normally for TWO YEARS?!" ... but I read that when you get adjustments they take off the wire and let you floss away -- I hope so. (I'm still flossing, of course, but it's just not as satisfying as the normal way.)
I got such a kick out of the comment of Rizzie's friend who said that at least *something* would look better in two years. LOL! I'm definitely going to keep that one in mind. Love it!
Welcome and congrats on getting braced. The beginning is always the hardest part. You are self conscious, don’t want to smile, freak out here and there, etc but with time you will get used to it and it will get easier.
My suggestions for a less stressful journey will be:
1. Do not focus on your braces. They are there and will be there for a while
2. Don’t look in the mirror every 5 minutes and everyday to see if there has been any type of movement ( we all did that)
3. If you have only been in braces for a few weeks/months and don’t see major changes, don’t get discouraged or frustrated, you are still in the beginning process (I should follow my own advice now at 30 months)
4. No pain doesn’t mean No progress. Most likely, your teeth are now used to the pressure
5. You should never care about what other people think. Your mouth, your health, your smile
6. Life goes on with or without braces and at the end of your journey, you will have a beautiful smile so keep smiling
My suggestions for a less stressful journey will be:
1. Do not focus on your braces. They are there and will be there for a while
2. Don’t look in the mirror every 5 minutes and everyday to see if there has been any type of movement ( we all did that)
3. If you have only been in braces for a few weeks/months and don’t see major changes, don’t get discouraged or frustrated, you are still in the beginning process (I should follow my own advice now at 30 months)
4. No pain doesn’t mean No progress. Most likely, your teeth are now used to the pressure
5. You should never care about what other people think. Your mouth, your health, your smile
6. Life goes on with or without braces and at the end of your journey, you will have a beautiful smile so keep smiling
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SilverGirl
- Posts: 144
- Joined: Mon Sep 06, 2010 1:36 pm
So glad you're feeling better - there's just something about getting that first week under your belt! I think the first few days with braces are so odd, we tend to look backward to the days before we had these strange, uncomfortable things that make us look different on our teeth, and once that first week is over and we get used to them we start looking forward to the day we'll have perfect teeth, if that makes sense? (I may be totally crazy, but this was how I felt!)
It is such a comfort to be on here and realize we're not going through this alone!
It is such a comfort to be on here and realize we're not going through this alone!
Thanks, Flaka! I was reading your post over breakfast this morning, and burst out laughing. My husband (who is a dentist, but not my ortho dentist) asked why, and I read him your advice about not looking in the mirror every 5 minutes looking for movement. Guilty!
I'm now one day past the 1-week anniversary. Still not feeling fabulous about these things, but keeping my eye on the prize (which, unfortunately, feels very far away right now).
Silvergirl, you have inspired me. Your mention of getting a teaching certificate has really got me to thinking. What a great time to take a look around at all the possibilities out there, eh?
xoxo
I'm now one day past the 1-week anniversary. Still not feeling fabulous about these things, but keeping my eye on the prize (which, unfortunately, feels very far away right now).
Silvergirl, you have inspired me. Your mention of getting a teaching certificate has really got me to thinking. What a great time to take a look around at all the possibilities out there, eh?
xoxo
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wired nana
- Posts: 72
- Joined: Mon May 31, 2010 8:04 am
- Location: USA
I'm all for the SOMETHING looking better down the road! I'm 56 and let my hair go gray about 18 months ago. I do like it, but know it makes me look older, so I decided at least I could have a better looking smile. So I've had my braces on for over four months now with about twenty more to go. I decided if I were ever going to do it, I better go ahead with it so my granddaughter and I wouldn't be in braces at the same time. How funny would that be!!
A bit older
I'm 57 and getting my braces on Oct 20. I'm excited, nervous and am so glad I found this board. It will be nice to have others that are close to same age going throught this together
It helps immensely to not feel so alone. My main worry has now been alleviated: I mentor two little girls (6 and 9) and I was so worried they'd freak out about my braces. Yesterday I saw them for the first time since getting the braces "installed" and they couldn't have cared less! Such a relief! They were intrigued by the possibility of helping me pick colors, and the younger one wanted to look in my mouth and see what was going on. So I explained what it was all about and she was fine -- and ran off to play.
I notice that people are looking at my mouth when I talk, and I find myself feeling a little proud of my braces (never thought I'd say *that*! LOL!). They even seem to brighten a bit and -- maybe it's my imagination but I swear it's true -- they seem to be *nicer* to me. I thought I'd be shunned and despised, but not at all!
I haven't let my hair go gray yet -- it's a definite possibility, though, in these transformative times. Love it!
I notice that people are looking at my mouth when I talk, and I find myself feeling a little proud of my braces (never thought I'd say *that*! LOL!). They even seem to brighten a bit and -- maybe it's my imagination but I swear it's true -- they seem to be *nicer* to me. I thought I'd be shunned and despised, but not at all!
I haven't let my hair go gray yet -- it's a definite possibility, though, in these transformative times. Love it!
Eating out
Hi there, I'm 53 & have had my brace in for a whole 6days now!!
I will be doing some KS2 tutoring shortly & hope that my speech will be lots better by then - but if they haven't hear me before... well, we'll see!!
Eating at home is fine (soft food & desperately trying to keep my mouth shut!!!) - I haven't been out for a meal yet - that's my next target, a yummy pub lunch somewhere, methinks.
I will be doing some KS2 tutoring shortly & hope that my speech will be lots better by then - but if they haven't hear me before... well, we'll see!!
Eating at home is fine (soft food & desperately trying to keep my mouth shut!!!) - I haven't been out for a meal yet - that's my next target, a yummy pub lunch somewhere, methinks.
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SnaggleTooth Sam
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2010 1:22 pm
Please don't be self conscious about wearing your braces!
There must be something wrong with me..... I can't stop smiling with my new braces.... I love finally not being self conscious about my smile. Heck, my braces say I am making a positive difference in my life, I don't know too many folk that walk around who can say that about anything they're doing.
How many people do you know who have some glaringly obvious correctable defect that are doing something about it? Heck think of the difference you're making in the world. Maybe someone will take inspiration from your courage and strength and go get their issues fixed, be they braces or getting out of elastic waistband pants and into a bikini!
Bravo Revontuli! Bravo!
How many people do you know who have some glaringly obvious correctable defect that are doing something about it? Heck think of the difference you're making in the world. Maybe someone will take inspiration from your courage and strength and go get their issues fixed, be they braces or getting out of elastic waistband pants and into a bikini!
Bravo Revontuli! Bravo!