Unexpected upsides to braces

[Blackbeltfundraiser]

Besides straighter teeth eventually.

..... I've lost 7 pounds.
..... I've stopped biting my nails! (probably because I can't but I've tried and tried and tried and couldn't quit before :-)

What're your experiences?

[Snowglobe32]

25-30 lbs and kept it off! I my braces!

[sweetembraceable]

Weight loss. I have spacers and I can't chew anything crunchy or chewy. An almond was like a rock in my mouth. Tortilla chips = trying to crunch drywall. Tasty drywall though!

[Huggypillow]

Yep

iv'e lost a few kilo's and no i can't bite my nails either, i was a really bad nail biter for a long time, and i can't bite them at all.

it drove me crazy for the first few weeks now thanks to braces im a reformed nail biter.... i now have long nails..... who would have thought.

[kennyandrew85]

lost a lot of weight also! I think that's one of the reasons a lot of people claim to have a thin face after extractions. Most of it is down to weight loss! I am using this time to get in the gym and do some lifting and drinking lots of protein shakes, mmmmm

[ashesgap]

I've quit drinking sodas in an effort to figure out what the heck is causing stains. Now after a cup or two of coffee in the morning I drink water all day. Now I'm sure coffee stains too, but I can't give up all my caffeine.....I'd be a walking zombie.
I've also stopped opening bags and stuff with my teeth. I'm not sure of the benefits of that yet, but I'm sure my teeth appreciate it.

[klobird]

I've gained 7lbs!!---I never used to drink milkshakes and had so much pudding and ice cream and soft desserts!!--I'm eating them because they're easy and filling and I think because I'm panicking at what awful appliance I will get that will make it impossible to eat--but probably exactly what I need!!

[Rach44]

I've lost a bit of weight also! However, I find it very difficult to maintain a healthy diet. I am/was a big vegetable eater, but now I can eat very few raw vegetables (carrots, celery, broccoli are all too hard/difficult to eat). I can still eat these things steamed, but I miss most raw vegetables. I definitely hear klobird on eating/drinking more dessert type stuff so I'm surprised I've actually lost and not gained. I won't complain though because braces are definitely awesome at preventing excessive snacking when you don't want to brush a million times a day.

[Snowglobe32]

Rach44- have you tried a buying a chopper? I have found that I can still eat raw vegetables if they are chopped up. I have been successful with carrots, broccoli, cauliflower...

[kaddessi]

Stopped biting my nails but haven't lost any weight. I haven't figured out how to eat fruit and vegatables yet without putting them in the blender. I was able to eat some grapes twice last weekend and then my teeth starting hurting.

[sea54change]

I lost over 5 lbs during the first 2 months with braces. I felt so healthy.
Now, after 11 months, I've gained it all back.

However I go to the ortho on the 19th for an adjustment and will probably be in lots of pain. Even after 11 months of braces and otho appts., I never remember to pack my bottle of Advil in my briefcase on days I have an ortho appt. Must be my elderly age kicking in.

[Rach44]

Rach44- have you tried a buying a chopper? I have found that I can still eat raw vegetables if they are chopped up. I have been successful with carrots, broccoli, cauliflower...

I hadn't thought of that, but that's a really great idea! Thanks for the suggestion. I've been eating shredded carrots (the kind you would normally put in a salad) but I hadn't found a way to eat broccoli or celery raw yet. I'm definitely going to look into that.

Another upside to braces for me: confidence! Most people say braces make you more self-conscious, but I'm finally not afraid to smile huge or laugh with my teeth showing because they're not the crooked mess they used to be.

[laura5535]

I've had braces for seven weeks now and I've lost 5 pounds. I also miss not eating vegetables and some fruits but have found that I can somewhat get all that stuff in with V8 juice -- vegetable and fruit. Try it -- hope that helps.

[drop]

i hope i'll also lose some weight because of braces :)

[Green~Tara]

I'm not losing - in fact I've gone up a few pounds. Eating more softer, starchier foods and less raw fruits and veggies which were my mainstay pre-braces.

I don't have a problem with tortilla chips, unfortunately. After the first two weeks of hellish pain I shovel them in just fine and dandy though it's not a pretty sight to behold!