Brace Date sneaking up...

[kiwibug]

12 days until brace day! I'm excited and nervous all at once, far more nervous than anything right now though. Eep!!

Couple questions...
Is there anything I should get beforehand to make life a bit easier the first few days?

Clear vs metal... I've asked the ortho and he recommends metal out of ease and convenience, but wanted to get some other opinions as well.

What are the first 2 days like re pain etc? I have a busy day after braces get put on and in back to work the day after.

[Ellabelle]

Hi kiwibug. Is your brace date Jan 7th? Mine is Jan 8th!!

I can't give you any advice on the pain yet, as I haven't had braces before, but I'm going with metal. Cheaper, faster, stronger. Seems like a win-win-win for me. I'm also very nervous AND very excited! I'm excited to have you (almost) as a brace-date buddy. It's cool to see the countdown widget on my phone now read 13 days, and nice to know I'm not the only one literally counting the days!

[kiwibug]

Yep, late morning on the 7th. It's come up very fast now!

[Ellabelle]

Yes indeed! First time for you too?

[Ciara]

I have braces only on my top jaw but will get them on my lower jaw eventually. I have ceramic, not self-ligating, with metal ties rather than elastics. My ortho said there isn't a huge difference in strength between metal and ceramic. I will also get a bite-plate.

I've had almost no pain and only a little rubbing but my friend who got them on a few days before me, (all ceramic, self-ligating) has had a lot of pain and discomfort. Everyone seems to react differently to them. She only has some mild over-crowding. I have a deep bite, asymmetrical midline and canting (Class 2, division 2 malocclusion). I also have several gaps that need to be closed and a few rotated teeth too.

Hope you don't have much pain and discomfort.

Ciara

[kiwibug]

Yep, first time in braces and I've only had very minimal dental work done up until now. Getting teeth out for the braces has been the most extensive so far.

Thanks Ciara. Ortho told me I should have a really easy time the first month or so, so fingers crossed!

[Missers73]

Good luck. My brace date is January 3rd. I will have metal on my lower teeth and ceramic on my upper teeth.

[Sportsman31]

[quote="Ciara"]I have braces only on my top jaw but will get them on my lower jaw eventually. I have ceramic, not self-ligating, with metal ties rather than elastics. My ortho said there isn't a huge difference in strength between metal and ceramic. I will also get a bite-plate.

I've had almost no pain and only a little rubbing but my friend who got them on a few days before me, (all ceramic, self-ligating) has had a lot of pain and discomfort. Everyone seems to react differently to them. She only has some mild over-crowding. I have a deep bite, asymmetrical midline and canting (Class 2, division 2 malocclusion). I also have several gaps that need to be closed and a few rotated teeth too.

Hope you don't have much pain and discomfort.

Ciara[/quote]

Ciara,
can you still see the metal ties with the ceramic brackets? Just curious because I drink a lot of coffee and worry about staining ligs.

[Dee17]

Good luck, Kiwibug with your brace date.
As far as stocking up on things.... get lots of soft foods, pudding, mac and cheese, cottage cheese, things like that. Youmay not have much trouble eating or with pain. I didn't have much at all the first five days and I had stocked up on lots of things like soups etc. Also get a large bottle of Tylenol or something. I'd also recommend a bite wafer. You can order one of those from the dentakit website that Lynn operates via this website. I used one right after I got my braces and I think that might have been why I didn't have very much pain.
In terms of clear vs metal, my orthodontist told me that he recommends all metal braces to his patients who can tolerate them because he feels he has much better control and gets better results. I have all metal and so far it hasn't been all that bad. I was REALLY dreading getting braces but I've adjusted to them quite easily.
I wouldn't worry too much about having to go back to work the day after you get them put on. If you have any pain at all (which you might NOT!), you should be able to control it pretty easily with some Tylenol. If you're really worried about pain, go see your family doctor before you get your braces and ask for a prescription for some Tylenol 3s (they have codeine) but just be forewarned that they might make you constipated so it might not be worth it. Best of luck to you and try not to worry too much! You'll be fine!

[WiredJon]

I found eating to be very uncomfortable for the first few days, so survived on yoghurts and soup, but it soon passed and there isn't much that I can't eat now, provided I cut it up first and chew carefully. One good thing to come out of this is that I've more or less completely stopped eating chocolate!

It took a couple of weeks for my lips to get used to and toughen up enough for the braces - I suffered quite a bit from sores caused by them rubbing the inside of my mouth. I was given dental wax to help with this, but decided to have a go at going through without using it.

Also, I got mine done (both top and bottom) first thing in the morning and went straight back to work afterwards.

I'm over two months in now and with the exception of the first week, it's been a pretty easy experience so far and I'm now starting to see some real improvements (other people have noted that my teeth are looking better too, which is really nice and encouraging!) and the whole process has felt very worthwhile so far.

[Ciara]

I have braces only on my top jaw but will get them on my lower jaw eventually. I have ceramic, not self-ligating, with metal ties rather than elastics. My ortho said there isn't a huge difference in strength between metal and ceramic. I will also get a bite-plate.

I've had almost no pain and only a little rubbing but my friend who got them on a few days before me, (all ceramic, self-ligating) has had a lot of pain and discomfort. Everyone seems to react differently to them. She only has some mild over-crowding. I have a deep bite, asymmetrical midline and canting (Class 2, division 2 malocclusion). I also have several gaps that need to be closed and a few rotated teeth too.

Hope you don't have much pain and discomfort.

Ciara

Ciara,
can you still see the metal ties with the ceramic brackets? Just curious because I drink a lot of coffee and worry about staining ligs.

No more than you would see silver, smokey or gray-coloured elastic ligatures. They really don't stain - I must have eaten 20 curries since I got them on and absolutely no staining.

[kiwibug]

Thanks everyone. I think I'll probably go with all metal, seems like the easiest option. It all feels very surreal right now. It's been a long time coming and I can't quite believe its happening in a week now. Eep!

[Tingrinteacher]

If you are a Brit and thought Tylenol was plant spray and a bite plate was a medieval contraption to silence nags, I have a few suggestions.. I had mine on a few weeks ago, and here's my list.

1. Bonjela for the ulcers that appear in the inside if your cheek and bottom lip.
2. Lip balm essential as you will probably find yourself chewing your lip by accident.
3. A hand held mirror; for being at work and the increasing paranoia that you have half your dinner stuck in your teeth.
4. Own brand mouthwash, at least 200pm fluoride. Does exactly the same job as listerine and you will constantly want to freshen up.
5. Lots of soft foods, that can be eaten warm. Chewing is a pain, particular if you've got the metal bands around your back teeth. Try and avoid too hot or too cold foods.
6. sensodine toothpaste to rub between your gum line and bottom of tooth, as certain teeth can be canny sensitive!

Good luck xxx

[kiwibug]

Thanks tingrin I'm a kiwi, but lived in the states for a few years, so if I think hard enough I can usually decipher it haha.
Brilliant tip on the bonjela, I'll pick some up today! I have lip balm and Panadol to last me for months lol.

Can anyone tell me what to expect when the braces are going on? I meant to ask my orthodontist for a quick run down, but forgot before they went on holiday and I'm one of the first appointments on the first day back. Is it wise to take a couple panadols before I go in?

[Dee17]

Hi Kiwibug,
Not sure what you meant wanting to know what to expect when your braces actually go on but there are TONS of videos on YouTube which might be helpful to watch.
I'd also take a pain reliever before you go in for your appointment -- about half an hour before so it has some time to start working. Try not to worry too much about all of this. I made myself crazy worrying about everything before it actually happened. It was no big deal. Give us all a heads up if you are having issues or have any more questions. Hang in there!