Start of my braces journey at 66

[SueAsh5]

Sea54Change,
Thanks! After quickly dropping 9 lbs the first 9 days I decided to take advantage of the opportunity and convince myself that a clean mouth really does feel great. Also it was such an ordeal at first to brush and floss that I simply dreaded eating. So I just kept going and basically don´t snack anymore and hardly eat after 5 pm. I´m also eating much healthier and feel great. Hope I can keep this up once I´m debanded. Truthfully, the new thinner me is helping me mentally overcome my huge front gap and lisp. And since skinny jeans are "in" here in Spain I love being able to wear them. Will be 55 next week!

Marie-keep us informed on your progress.
Kamor - go girl in skinny jeans!

[tennesseeditto]

I read the other day that "60" is the new "40" and I believe it.
We are still active, working (some of us), and want to improve our smiles and oral hygiene.
We rock!

[MegP60+]

Welcome to the group - I am 63 and should get my braces off in two months. I am so glad I went through this, even though there were tough days at times. Can't wait to smile for photographs! Don't forget smoothies, they help through the sore days and the days when you can't seem to chew. Things change so fast with braces, you will be onto a new stage soon and feeling better.

[gregoryboutwell]

[quote="Marie45"]It has taken me 2 years to decide to have braces. Of course, I needed them years ago, but.... Yesterday I had 2 perfectly good teeth removed which was an anxious day for me! There is no turning back now. To be honest, my teeth look better today without those teeth which just tells you how bad it looked. Bottom teeth extremely crowded/crooked and getting worse - I am now ready to start this journey.

I found this site about a year ago and have read all the posts which has given me the courage to do this. Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and I will keep you posted. Spacers in two weeks then braces the week after Thanksgiving (thank goodness not the day before!).[/quote]

I believe, hardly you will get some one interested swapping to your university from University of Vigo and Santiago de Compostela. please share the update i interested to know the result. Good luck.

[sea54change]

Tennesseeditto-
I turned 60 in May. Amd I agree with you on 60 being the new 40!
I work full time at a very challenging and rewarding job, which includes mentoring jr staff.
Since I meet so many people I wanted my smile to be perfect!
I've noticed a huge confidence shift over the past 15 months, re: smiling and talking.

Tomorrow morning is my debrace appointment. I'm holding my breath to see if they actually come off. I had 2 dates before this and it was extended-teeth moved too slow or ortho wanted to fine tune some teeth.

[Jano]

wax is my best friend in week 1 and 2 ..plastered all over the place but it really helps

http://www2.tickerfactory.com/ezt/d/4;1 ... /event.png

[Jano]

Hi Marie,
I think we've been "embraced" about the same time ..I am only up to 2 weeks.. .I'm 55 ..hope you are doing ok , it is interesting isnt it .. getting used to what feels like having a baby porcupine in your mouth !! One thing I wasnt expecting was getting a really really dry mouth .. but read a tip in this forum about trying those listerine strips ..will get some tomorrow on my way to work. Highs and Lows in store I am sure but its going to be greatin the end
Jano

[Marie45]

Thanks, everyone, for your posts. It's been almost 2 weeks now and I no longer have any pain or headaches. That seemed to last 3 or 4 days only. Of course, it is a strange feeling to have all this stuff in my mouth - I hope I get use to that.

I too have lost weight as I don't eat between meals AT ALL. It is just too much trouble to brush etc afterwards. I tend to eat as well as I can at each meal so I am not hungry. I have also given up tea (which I LOVE) and red wine (which I also LOVE). Although they say that the ceramic brackets don't stain, your teeth do and I was advised not to use whitening while in braces. So will try to minimize any teeth staining.

Jano, as for the dry mouth, I have that and will look for the listerine strips, thanks for the tip.

So far so good, but it is early days yet. I am so glad that I found this site - it's great to have others in the same boat who understand what's going on with me.

[tennesseeditto]

Tennesseeditto-
I turned 60 in May. Amd I agree with you on 60 being the new 40!
I work full time at a very challenging and rewarding job, which includes mentoring jr staff.
Since I meet so many people I wanted my smile to be perfect!
I've noticed a huge confidence shift over the past 15 months, re: smiling and talking.

Tomorrow morning is my debrace appointment. I'm holding my breath to see if they actually come off. I had 2 dates before this and it was extended-teeth moved too slow or ortho wanted to fine tune some teeth.

Hurray for those of us who are more confident, love our challenging work, and are still doing things to improve our lives (that would be straightening our teeth).

Have you talked to your dentist about the flossable retainers yet? I asked my dentist to consider using them on both my upper and lowers and he said he'd check into them.

I know you are excited about today's appointment. Mine is today ad well. Hope our teeth are set free but only if they are ready.

Keep us updated, okay?

[Jano]

Hi friends
Food is a problem for me at the moment .. I think I am GAINING weight .. thats because I am eating ice cream ( cold and soft and soothing ) and white bread ( no grainy bits) and choc fudge and gingerbread and cake ( easy to eat ) .. things I dont usually eat but am eating because I am so hungry. Also making smoothies .I cant eat my usual normal things like Steak .Chicken . Lamb .Apples.Fresh fruit of all descriptions. Capsicum and cucumber and nuts and lettuce .No nuts !! what a tragedy
Stuck with bananas and avocados which are getting boring .
Any suggestions anyone please ?

[klobird]

Jano,

Finally!!! Someone else out there is gaining weight!! Now I have someone to co-miserate with!! I have gained 9 lbs since getting braces....same kind of food. Maybe because I didn't eat that stuff at all before???

Sorry about your weight gain though--last thing I thought would ever happen!!!

[Jano]

Whats to be done Klobird
I might have to go and chat to a dietician and see what can be recommended . I dont want to end up with double chins replacing my overbite

[tennesseeditto]

Here are a few suggestions:
• Make your own smoothies with

almond milk, which has more nutrients (2 times the calcium of cow's milk and fewer calories
yogurt ice cream (fewer calories)
protein powder, which also is full of other nutrients (vitamins and minerals)
light yogurt
choose frozen strawberries or pineapple bananas sometimes

One reason we get hungry is because we are not satisfying our bodies nutrientional needs--lots of calories may make us feel full temporarily but those shakes don't keep us full so we go have another and another. :'(

Be conscious of all the calories in fast food shakes, even the ones you make for yourself. Just because they go down easy doesn't mean they are easy on the body.

• Get some kind of exercise even if its only walking so those feel good hormones can kick in

• Hug yourself from time to time (that helps to get the feel good hormones flowing too

• Get enough sleep

Our bodies are under stress because of the strain put on our teeth moving appliances. The stress mechanism triggers the release of cortisol which can cause one to store fat if it isn't used to fight or run, hence the suggestion to exercise. Reduce the stress so the cortisol levels are lower.

Hope this helps!

[Jano]

thats great advice Tennessee .. thankyou ! will go and buy some Almond Milk and protein powder today after work and give it a go

[TMJJill]

I've enjoyed following this thread. I got my braces about 3 1/2 months ago and I was one of those who gained as well. I stopped most of the snacking, but I found myself eating more of the softer to chew carbs. My first month was really rough and the carbs were doable. I was actually looking forward to the possibility of weight loss too.

Thank you for the suggestions on diet as well.