30 year old - starting braces journey for the 1st time

[30yearoldbraceface]

Having lived with severely crowded teeth for as long as I can remember, I decided I wanted to get braces for my 30th birthday!

What a journey it has been so far! I met with my orthodontist and we discussed my treatment plan, I had 8 spacers placed into my mouth and it was decided that I would need 4 teeth removed (2 top premolars and 2 bottom premolars) which I had done a week later. Let me tell you that the pain from the extractions was nothing compared to the pain from the spacers!! An agonizing 2 weeks wait with the spacers and then finally this past Tuesday my braces were fitted!

I decided since I am no longer a young person and I have 2 young sons, that my better choice would to get ceramic braces - loving my choice so far!! They are barely noticeable BUT I have a plate on the top and the bottom of My mouth (I don't know why) and it is making me talk with a lisp!! I hope and pray that I will get used to it quickly as it is permanent for the duration of my treatment! Has anyone else had this? What was your experience like??

Anyways, it's been 2 days now with braces and I have not stained my bands yet (have white ones) but I find that I am only eating 3 different things in fear of staining them - thus I am losing weight and I don't wanna end up looking and feeling unhealthy because of this fear of staining them! Does anyone have a list of things that stained their braces? Does egg yolk, custard, jelly and things like that stain them?

Seeing dentist again in 2 weeks can't wait to see my progress in the months to come! Wish me luck xx

[Amanda88]

Congrats on starting your journey! I've got ceramic braces as well with pearl coloured ligatures. I find they don't stain as easily as I thought they would....and often if they look stained, a good brush will fix them up! I've heard mustard stains ligatures pretty bad, and curry.....but those are not things I eat often. I still drink coffee, tea, red wine, and any other dark-coloured drinks through a straw just to be safe. In terms of food, I've eaten most things and haven't had an issue....I just make sure that if it's something very colourful (like spaghetti sauce) that I brush right after my meal! Best of luck...can't wait to hear about progress!!

[arca]

I've got a plate as well. In my case, it is about opening the bite' as I have a deep bite. My speech was affected, but I think I got back to about 80% normal. There's no hiding that something's going on, but your speech will settle down after a couple of weeks. Hang in there.

[30yearoldbraceface]

Thanks guys! I have now been in braces a whole week hahaha and I find I am becoming a bit more adventurous regarding food choices although I still haven't eaten anything "colorful" like spaghetti etc - will save those "tests" got closer to my next ortho appointment hehehe

As for my plate - I am still talking with a lisp which sucks but it seems to have gotten slightly better - ah what we do to have straight teeth! Lol - just gotta keep telling myself that it will be worth it in the end!