Day 6 checked off with braces - quad helix tomorrow

[HokieMom]

I've almost survived a week with my upper and lower braces. I have lost a couple of pounds = upside. The quad helix and lower lingual is being installed tomorrow at noon. I'm so scared. I guess the only positive is that the spacers will be removed!

Please send tips on how to talk with the quad helix -- and how to eat. I'm assuming still soft foods.... Oh how I miss a filet mignon right now....

[klobird]

I really miss tearing tough food up with my front teeth. Sometimes I just want to gnaw on something!!!

Good luck tomorrow!! I will be looking forward to hearing about your progress in braces.

So what are those appliances for anyway?

[kaylaa]

Practice!! You are going to sound very different and the only way to get back to talking normally is by taking it slow and annunciating your words. When I had my quad, I got frustrated when I first got it in. I was apologizing because my tounge would get trapped in my quad and I really just wanted to cry.

With practice, I got better at sounding like myself and before I knew it the damn thing was coming out. You'll do fine. If you do get discouraged though there are lots of people here who are super supportive

Good luck with your quad tomorrow and remember that almost everyone is sympathetic to your situation.

[HokieMom]

Quad Helix (aka, torture device) successfully installed today at noon.
Can I do this for 6-9 months?? He asked after installation how it felt and my response was, "Are you kidding"? Well, it didn't really sound like that but that was was what I INTENDED to say!

My teenage children are quite amused. My husband won't be home until Friday. Maybe I talk a little better by then???

Please post tips on how to eat and talk with this thing!

Upside - spacers are out.