I think this forum will help! Adult not loving this!

[jessieg]

I'm 36, and I literally don't know one person with braces. I feel 15 again. I just got them five weeks ago and I feel like I'm all alone on this. I felt traumatized when I got them, but I'm slowly getting used to it. I kept finding every reason not to get them but I'm starting to be happy I did...I think. I just feel like it's going to be a long road. I'll do some searching on the board, but because my teeth are still sore, flossing in darn near non existent. Not once have I even been able to get near the back teeth. I feel like nothing tastes as good as it used to, and I just want the pain to go AWAY. I have to start wearing elastics at the end of the month, and people are telling me it's awful. Anyway, I think this will be a good place to check in along the way, it's nice to see it isn't just me!

[BellaBraces]

Hang in there. I'm 43! I don't know anyone with braces either, though my friend had braces a couple of years ago and she is now 60.

[Cassandra1995]

I'm 39, and I'll be getting my braces within the next few weeks. I know it is hard, and I haven't even gotten braced yet. I knew one co-worker who had them, but I don't know her very well, and she doesn't have them, now. People have told me the trick is to focus on the end result. I have another coworker who got them when she was 35, and I asked her if she ever regretted it (she and I are close, and she in her 50s now), and she said it hurt but it was worth it in the end.

[bnelson52]

I'm 35 and just got braces on the bottom (I had them when I was a teenager and the bottoms moved). I am on day 6 and am totally regretting it. My biggest complaint right now is the way I talk and the way I smile. I feel like hiding my face when I laugh or smile and I try not to talk much. I am in HR and had to do a new employee orientation 2 days after I got them on - that was horrible! I am just regretting it right now and am down in the dumps. Will I ever be able to talk or smile?

[auco99]

I'm 35 and just got braces on the bottom (I had them when I was a teenager and the bottoms moved). I am on day 6 and am totally regretting it. My biggest complaint right now is the way I talk and the way I smile. I feel like hiding my face when I laugh or smile and I try not to talk much. I am in HR and had to do a new employee orientation 2 days after I got them on - that was horrible! I am just regretting it right now and am down in the dumps. Will I ever be able to talk or smile?

I just got my lowers about 10 days ago and had the same issues you had at first. It has gotten MUCH better, both my speaking and my smiling. Your mouth will get used to having them, probably this week even. I already forget mine are there unless I'm eating. Hang in there, it WILL get significantly better.

[bnelson52]

Thank you so much. I hope you are right. I have seriously thought about calling the dentist and seeing if there is a 30-day money back return policy!!! lol. I don't want to be a baby, but it's affecting my life so much right now. I just want to be back to normal. But thanks for the hope you gave me!

[auco99]

Thank you so much. I hope you are right. I have seriously thought about calling the dentist and seeing if there is a 30-day money back return policy!!! lol. I don't want to be a baby, but it's affecting my life so much right now. I just want to be back to normal. But thanks for the hope you gave me!

Like you, I have a job where I'm constantly in front of people or talking to them on the phone. I've had my upper braces for 4 months and finally got my lowers 10 days ago. I remember thinking I literally wanted to die at one point the first day. Didn't think I would ever speak normally, or that my mouth would ever mold to fit these things, or that I could eat "real" food. So I know EXACTLY how you feel. It's all good now though.

And I promise, these braces don't look nearly as bad to other people as we think they do.

[bnelson52]

Thanks so much! You give me hope! lol.

[nifer237]

I'm 36 and I had like no issue with it at all. Don't focus on it so much, it really hinders nothing. If anything people find it a conversation piece. It should not affect you at all, and go in the mindset that it's no big deal and it's only a year and a half or so it should be fine. Don't think of it as a negative experience.

Good luck.

[furious george]

I'm 36 too, being braced on Wednesday. It's vanity that gets to me. I was so against it at first, I wanted veneers...even though they won't improve my bite. I'm getting over it, I'm trying to stay focused on the end result.

[xanidu2012]

We have all felt or feel as you do. But its only temporary we promise we all had to get used to food not tasting right or good. My chief complaint is the length of time it takes me to eat but temporary is the magic word. Keep us posted on your progress. Everything's going to be ok and enjoy your braces

[klobird]

I'm 56 and around people, in front of people, in back of people(medical) , on the phone with people, ALL THE TIME....no big deal...at all...

I hope you have the same experience I am having!!

[TMJJill]

I'm 41 and don't personally know any other adults in braces either. I've been in braces since last August. I will say that my first month in braces was pretty sore. It got much better though. I just had tons of movement in that first month.

I'm not that self conscious about the braces though. I figure that I'm doing this for me and really, I'm the one who has to live with them. I chose to have braces as part of my dental treatment for a reason and it really doesn't matter to me if others understand that or not.

I say, have fun with the braces while you have them.

I too couldn't floss much during that first month or so. Flossing did get better. I like the Glide threader floss and the orthodontic dental stick flossers for the back teeth. I did talk to my orthodontist about not being able to get those back teeth flossed and he said not to worry. I've been using a Waterpik for flossing back there and it has worked well enough. My dentist and orthodontist both seem happy with my dental hygiene so far.

This forum is a great place for adults with braces. There are lots of supportive people here who are going through the same thing we are. It is great to share your story and get tips and tricks from people who have learned before you.

[kennyandrew85]

I'm 27 tomorrow (joy).
I had braces put on last April, have had these bad boys on for 14th months now and let me tell you.. the time has gone so fast.

One thing I have learnt from having braces is to not wish the time away.
Try and enjoy your life as you would normally, and just think about how much better it will get when the braces come off and how fortunate you are to be able to afford the money needed to create your smile.

[JillD]

One thing I have learnt from having braces is to not wish the time away.
Try and enjoy your life as you would normally

This is so hard to do. I so wish the time away. I wish I could sleep for one and a half year and it were time to remove my braces when I woke up. And then I realize I will be about two years older, which is scary.