40 something and in braces

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#1 Post by **lndalou** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 7:48 pm

I have only been in braces for about 6 days and am asking myself what have I done. I have always been so self conscious about my teeth and have wanted them straightened for years. Well, I finally decided to take the plunge and am very discouraged. They are more painful than I imagined. I feel like someone has dumped a truck load of gravel in my mouth. I have been told that I will eventually not even feel them in my mouth. Right now, I am not seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. It is hard to think I could not feel these things. I would appreciate any words of encouragement.

#2 Post by **nvcarissa** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 7:53 pm

I got mine put on this year just a few weeks before my 49th birthday. Welcome!!!

Yes, at first all you feel in your mouth is the braces. Really, that goes away. In fact, after four months, every once in a while I see myself in a mirror in a store or something and I am almost surprised to see the braces on.

Just remember, you are doing something good for yourself, and at our age we realize how quickly time flies. You will be done before you know it and have a beautiful smile!

Website · #3 Post by **alexa** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 7:59 pm

It's true that the irritation does go away. Promise. The first couple of weeks is always the worst. Just hang in there...you'll be glad you did.

Alexa

#4 Post by **Stellar** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 8:00 pm

I'm 48 and just got braces 3 days ago. Your right they don't feel great and it will take a little time to get used to. But, from what I hear and see on this forum it sure is worth it! I also had 4 first bicuspids extracted just yesterday, so I have a bit of healing to do too. It took me a long time to decide on braces but, in the long run, I'll look better, feel better, and act better about myself! I can't wait till I see some movement!

Stick with this forum and I think it will really help. Good luck!

#5 Post by **Nikkiekoala** » Sat Sep 10, 2005 10:20 pm

Don't worry that light of at the end of the tunnel is not a train! It does get better. I am 43 with braces, wondered what the heck I did to myself. Now I barely notice them and eagerly anticipating the final results.

#6 Post by **vanilla** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 1:29 am

hi there, lndalou! Re-read your second sentence and there you have the reason you got braced. It's great you've taken the step to improve something you were unhappy with. The first few weeks will leave you wondering why you've imposed this prison sentence on yourself. Those were my thoughts at the beginning. However, once the pain subsides and you notice your teeth aligning, you'll realise you will achieve a beautiful smile. Hang in there!

#7 Post by **caringiscreepy** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 4:27 am

nvcarissa wrote:Yes, at first all you feel in your mouth is the braces. Really, that goes away. In fact, after four months, every once in a while I see myself in a mirror in a store or something and I am almost surprised to see the braces on.

Thats very true, I often wake up in the morning and look in the mirror and think "Oh yeah, I've got braces!".
I felt very sorry for myself the first few days too but I've seen such a quick alignment in my teeth that I'm so thankful to them I actually love my braces. You'll start feeling more positive about them soon too

#8 Post by **lndalou** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 5:59 am

Thanks so much to all of the positive replies. I couldn't believe all of the response this morning. I have never been on a message board in my life and wasn't sure how they worked, but I thank God for this one. I have found myself very depressed since I got braces last Tues. I felt like I had made a terribe mistake, but since I have read these messages, I feel like there is hope. When I hear that movement can happen quickly sometimes, it amazes me. How long does it usually take to finally feel they are not there?

#9 Post by **shinyam** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 7:27 am

You will always feel them in your mouth. Every time you eat, brush your teeth, or smile you will be reminded of them. So the answer to your question, unforunately is: never.

But the good news is that you do get used to them. Take comfort in knowing you did the right thing by getting them.

#10 Post by **TimSeattle** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 9:53 am

Braces are a pain in the mouth at first, but we humans beings are resilient and get used to them. My biggest problem during the time I've been in braces was my tongue-jail sentence (Read: I had an upper quad-helix expander for half a year).

Now I don't care how long they stay on. If the doc says "We want to tweak that tooth that no one ever sees," which extends treatment by 3 months, my response would be "Go for it". Being in braces doesn't bother me anymore, although I am always aware of them.

My biggest moment of happiness in braces was when my bite was corrected so that I was not putting stress on teeth by the malocclusion (underbite). I got braces primarily for functional reasons so that my teeth would last a lifetime. I've already lost a couple of molars. Aesthetics are nice, but I would not have gotten braces if that were the only reason.

I'm 56 and happily sliding toward old age.

Best to you on your orthodontics treatment. This is a helpful forum with good folks here and a big over-40 group.

#11 Post by **jennielee81** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 1:46 pm

WELCOME lndalou!!!

I'm 42 and I've had my braces for 5 1/2 months (I can't believe it's gone so fast). during the first 4 to 6 weeks, I was always aware of these things in my mouth.

I work in a middle school and I would watch the kids just living a NORMAL life with their braces. This made me realize that I had to just forget about them ON PURPOSE. It wasn't going to happen to me without some effort from me. I only let myself be bothered by them during meals. It was the only time I could complain...it worked for me...

Now I only notice them when I eat, smile, or sing.

You've done the right thing

Hang on!!! It gets easier!

Sun Sep 11, 2005 2:13 pm

So many people in their 40's - that's great to see.

I'm 43 and got top braces 5 months ago, followed by bottom braces 5 weeks ago. Everything everyone says is true - you really do forget aboout them after a little while. However, you will have days where you think "please can I take them out, just for an hour!" But then something takes your mind off them and you forget about them again.

You also learn to welcome pain - honestly ........ "no pain, no gain!!!"

#13 Post by **Aine** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 2:57 pm

Welcome to the club Indalou! I am also 47 and got my top ceramic braces on July 25th followed a week later by 2 top extractions. I have had minor pain most days but the happiness I feel every time I look in the mirror at my straigntning teeth far outweights any pain I have experienced!! It has taken me 25 years to make this step and I have smiled more in the last 6 weeks than I can remember. I guarantee you that your doubts about getting braced at 47 will be erased (along with the pain, I hope) the first time you look in the mirror and notice that your teeth are "on the move" and getting straighter!!

#14 Post by **lndalou** » Sun Sep 11, 2005 3:16 pm

Thanks for all of the encouragement on getting braces. I will also be getting 2 teeth taken out and am also a little anxious about this because I just had 2 out prior to getting braces. Sometimes it makes you wonder if it is all worth it, but I guess you are right, no pain.....no gain! Looking for better days ahead. I have to say today has been a bit better than the days before. It will only be a week for me Tuesday. It helps to know you are not the only one with these feelings and also that you teeth can start straightening for quick. It figured it would be months before I noticed a change. Tnanks again!

#15 Post by **Dreamer** » Mon Sep 12, 2005 5:52 pm

Hey Jennilee..I work in a middle school too and the kids think it's great I have braces just like them!

Lndalou.. hang in there, it gets better! I am 49 and just got full metal braces in April! Just enjoy the process and don't look back! I am so proud I finally did it and think you should be too!

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