Newbie about to get braced

[tuthillan]

Hi all,

I am so glad I found this site. It has been so helpful. I recently made the decision to get braces. I was a little hesitant to get them at 21 but feel like there is no better time than now. I get my spacers put in this Wednesday. I have heard spacers hurt a lot. Then I will be getting ceramic braces on my uppers August 15th. I am really excited and nervous at the same time. Any suggestions/tips will be greatly appreciated!

[PrincessLea]

Hey, welcome and good luck in the start of your journey! My tip would be to take lots of pictures so you can see the progress, make sure you have painkillers and lots of soft food on standby - the first week will be a bit rough but it gets better and make sure you keep your mouth super clean!

[sibilla]

Hi there

I got braced (at 52) 2 weeks ago today. Just the upper brace so far. So far, so good. I have had a few moments of thinking 'what on earth have I done??' but on the whole am glad I took the plunge.

I too will be having spacers in a few weeks, followed by bands, followed by a bite plane and bottom braces. I think I'm dreading the spacers and the bite plane most of all. Would be really interested to hear how you get on with the spacers and hope it's not too grim for you.

I love this forum! It's so full of useful information and incredibly friendly people!

Good luck with your journey to a beautiful smile..

Sibilla

[poohbear]

Hey tuthillan,

I'm also 21 and just started my journey to a nice smile with braces LOL Glad to know that I'm not the only 21 out there ;)

I got my spacers put in a few days ago and they're actually not that bad. The first day is nothing... I was still able to eat my unofficial last supper LOL The next few days the soreness kicked in but it was only when I bite down. The dental assistant recommended to take Advil or Tylenol if there was a lot of pain but I managed without it. Although I had soup for lunch a few days in a row.

All the best to you!

[klobird]

I don't feel like anyone ever listens--but I have had spacers twice. The ortho told me that if I bite down it would end up hurting. So, I didn't--either time. I mashed food with my tongue on the roof of my mouth. I sucked it down. Anything to not bite down because of the horror stories I had heard. I didn't have ANY pain or soreness at all--either time...and I had a total of 8 spacers altogether...just sayin....

I am 55 and got braces almost 3 1/2 months ago...and recently I have begun to experience a new thing--that I hardly notice the braces anymore!! It's like I am almost completely adjusted to them! When I started the process, I wondered how anyone could do this for 2 years. Now it seems completely do-able.

So, it is all a process of learning and adjusting and becoming just plain used to the new changes in mostly your eating and cleaning habits.

Best wishes to you in your new journey and keep everyone up-to-date with your progress please!!!

[tuthillan]

I am so jealous that you had no pain with spacers. I have been taking Tylenol/Ibuprofen around the clock since they have been put in. I also have a total of 8 but I have very little space in my mouth to start with. Thank goodness I only have 3 more days! Good luck with the rest of your journey!

[Huggypillow]

Welcome to the board,

I have read heaps on the board about spacers, and it doesnt seem like a picnic. I am too getting top braces this week (already have bottoms on for 3 months), my ortho said nothing about spacers. I will not be uttering the word SPACERS I dont want to remind him that maybe he forgot something sssshhhhhhh. fingers crossed I dont need them thats why he hasn't said anything.

[tuthillan]

Thanks Huggypillow! I really hope you do not need them! They are definitely not fun at all! Good luck with getting your top braces on!