embracing the fastbraces - at 31

[braceylou]

Hi everyone,

I've had the first part of my brace put on today, I go back in 2 weeks to get the rest done.

So far I've spoken to 3 people I know, anxiously covering my mouth with my hand. The wire has already scraped a small bloody patch in to the inside of my upper lip, and I feel like I'm wearing a set of dentures.

I fell horrible, I look horrible, and I would quite like to cry. But I am British and I have a literal stiff upper lip.

Tell me it's normal to feel like this?!?!

[sull88]

It gets better. We all felt this way at first. I took about a week before I felt like smiling. Now I smile just to see if people notice. Best of luck. Sull

[Bracesat57]

Welcome.

It is very weird the first few weeks. I tried talking without showing teeth and my husband politely told me I was making it look worse.

It really does get better. Hang in there.

[aspiromusings]

Welcome to the club! It appears we got ours in around the same time too although since yours are fastbraces you might finish earlier?

I was told the worst is over in about 7 days after they get put in

I got Damon clear 3's- these were put in just yesterday =)

Enjoy the journey and take lots of pictures!, seeing the teeth move definitely keeps me motivated to keep going, we can do this!

[braceylou]

Thank you so much for your replies, it's nice to have some moral support from other people in the same boat! I get the rest put on on Monday which I'm sure will bring fresh misery, but you're quite right I will get used to them,and I'm going to have straight teeth for my wedding, hurray! Xx

[Whitton2015]

I'm 31 too, and also from the UK!

I got my top set of Damon Clears out in on the 18 March, well in to my 3rd week now and as many have pointed out do take pictures, seeing changes will give you a boost!

I was VERY nervous about people at work seeing and making comments, I too tried to talk in a way that I personally would feel the brace wasn't showing but I guess it looked stupid as when people did start noticing (only when they were very close to me) they would say "I did notice you were talking differently but didn't think anything of it". After which I felt like I was talking 'normal' and much more openly to people that I knew, knew I had braces.

There isn't any point hiding it, be open about it as many people won't have the guts to do it and no one can knock you for changing yourself for the better.

Like a lot of people have said " the time flies" and it'll be TOTALLY worth it!...that's what I keep telling myself.

Good luck

[k0hl]

I'm 33 and definitely felt self conscious at first ... wondering what people thought, did they notice etc?

I have ceramic brackets and a white wire, so mine are quite discrete and a few people didn't notice them at first (which I thought was crazy). But after a while I loosened up and stopped worrying about it anyway.

Like Whitton2015 says, just being open about it seems to be better than trying to hide them, it made me feel more comfortable anyway Good luck with it all!

[30andbraced]

I am 30 and totally felt horrible at first too. I've had my braces on for 3 months almost. This is so hard. I definitely feel like my teeth are getting worse before getting better. Good luck to you!