15 days and counting

[smilehope]

Not sure what I've let myself in for. I'm 42, due to have braces in just over 2 weeks. I've already had 2 teeth out so I guess I'm past the point of no return. I go in for more impressions to be taken next week, as I'm having removable upper to start, with metal lowers, and then later on I'll have ceramic uppers.
I've already had my first braces dream - all going wrong of course - so at least that's out of the way. My jaw is doing more aching and clicking than usual in anticipation, and I've just had a mouth ulcer before I've even started. Oh and I play bassoon and have a concert 2 weeks after braces fitting.
Having said that, I'm really encouraged by the stories here, as I know nobody with braces. Had braces in my teens which clearly didn't do a lot. Teeth all jammed together and crossing. Floss? Never been able to get it between any teeth.
Anyway, not sure how much I'll post, but fabulous to know you're all here.

[BetsyBug]

Oh, my bassoon with braces I can only imagine. I play pretty much every single reed instrument and am dreading what its going to do to my embouchure... However when I was a kid so many of my friends did fine with theirs and instruments so maybe I overreact...
I'm getting my braces on 3/6 so I guess if I figure correctly just a few days before you. Sounds like you did pretty good with your extractions, i'm remembering my wisdom teeth being out and am so glad I get to keep the rest of my teeth.
Good luck...and break a leg at your performance.

[smilehope]

Thanks for the reply, now I don't feel alone! Extractions weren't too bad, just feel a bit vampire-ish now because the teeth in front feel like they're bigger.
Just hate the wait now. I assume it's normal to become moderately obsessed with looking at everyone's teeth?

[BetsyBug]

I hope its normal....I have spent so many hours looking at my teeth and everyone elses for the past several months!! Just looking at my teeth you don't think geez she needs braces, because the majority of my crowding is in my lowers, but its the jaw issues that are the worst. So I have gotten mixed reactions when I say I'm getting braces...people say I have nice teeth. I'm sure it will be ok, because from what I can tell the crowding becomes more apparent with brackets on the teeth and it seems to get worse before it gets better....lol. I will post my consultation pictures as soon as the forum allows me to.

[smilehope]

12 days to go. I've just realised that the 2nd night after braced we have been asked to babysit for friends (well my husband can go, I won't want to cope with other people's childrens' comments on day 2) and the day after my husband is away for work. Shame, because I wanted to do as much talking as possible to get over my lisp before work on the Monday (removable upper plate). I'll just have to talk to myself a lot - maybe I'll put old CDs on & do lots of singing!

Only told my husband, children, and in a vague way with no dates mentioned, my parents. And the hairdresser, I went yesterday and told her why I wanted a particularly good cut this time.

[texasranch]

You can do it! I'm 39 and just got them on

[smilehope]

I'm planning to start a my story page when they're on (6 days!). However...
How does everybody get up the courage to put photos up? Mine are so wonky, so not white that the process of taking pics and putting them up here would be really difficult. I've already put something on another post about the emotional process of having the pre-treatment pics done at the ortho. I really really want to take some myself though, because I think I'll need the boost of seeing an improvement a few months in to keep me going. The other problem is that my uppers won't move properly for a while, because the first 6 months or so they'll only have a removable plate on.
Any tips?

[elseegee64]

I'm planning to start a my story page when they're on (6 days!). However...
How does everybody get up the courage to put photos up? Mine are so wonky, so not white that the process of taking pics and putting them up here would be really difficult. I've already put something on another post about the emotional process of having the pre-treatment pics done at the ortho. I really really want to take some myself though, because I think I'll need the boost of seeing an improvement a few months in to keep me going. The other problem is that my uppers won't move properly for a while, because the first 6 months or so they'll only have a removable plate on.
Any tips?

Great question! I've seen some post excellent pics of their teeth before and after. I can't get a good shot. Some turn out great, others are too blurry. I can never get the same shot to show progress.

[smilehope]

Well here I go, in 3 hours I'll be sitting there being fixed up. Husband not working today so he will come with me and can sit reading magazines in a waiting room of teenagers!
Have stocked up on soup, new toothbrushes, electric toothbrush heads, toothpicks, lipsalve.
I took some photos last night, may or may not put them up here, but will have them to look back on if I ever doubt why I'm doing this at any stage!
Hope to start a story page when braced up.
See you later when I've joined the "club"!

[kellyb]

Good luck today! Please let us know how you get on

[smilehope]

Deed is done

[kellyb]

so how was it?

[smilehope]

I'm ok, thanks. have started a story page so won't add to this one any more now.