Butterflies Before Being Braced

Message

#16 Post by **Geri** » Sat Oct 01, 2005 9:36 pm

Hi mmgreco - Ohhh, I really feel for you...but hang on in there....from what I've read it really DOES get better, and fairly quickly too. Go easy on yourself and give yourself time to adjust. Isn't it great that you can at least vent here?

I am just counting the hours until Monday, DM. I can only eat soft food and my teeth feel numb when I brush them, which is very odd. A little blob of wax on the metal spacer is my new best friend! The metal spacer is also doing a good job of burying itself in my gum - hrrmmm. My parents-in-law arrived for a visit last Thursday and so far I have managed to eat out twice without too many problems. The BBQ was a really bad idea though. Ouch! They have been very supportive so my fears that it would somehow impinge on their visit have been groundless (although let's see what happens next week)!

Good luck to the both of you!

#17 Post by **decisionmade** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 4:00 am

I hear ya mmgreco!! painful is the word but Alleve really does help..I notice the pain mostly at night and in the morning..maybe because I'm not as distracted from it at that time of day...My teeth are SO sore and loose and "clicky" all things I know are normal and yesterday I developed the first sore inside my cheeck..I am however feeling a tiney bit better than my first 2 days and nights with them so that makes me feel hopeful ..plus i know pain equals movement!!..tomorrow is your day Geri and I hope our posts don't scare you..it really is bearable especially when you understand the "why" of your discomfort!!..We are all on our way to healthier happier smiles

#18 Post by **decisionmade** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 5:21 am

oh, and also I should mention I find hot drinks really soothing..maybe they help with circulation or something..I've been drinking loads of green tea and a daily dose of hot chocolate..the hot cocolate tastes soo good since its been months sinc I've had real chocolate!

#19 Post by **mmgreco** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 8:40 am

Today isn't so bad. I think yesterday morning they hurt so bad because of not moving my mouth all night or something. I have been taking lots of Ibiprofen (sp) And it is true, the pain is worth it. (NO pain, no gain) It didn't hurt as bad brushing this morning either. I guess maybe the first 2 days are the worst. I am still on a mashed potato, scrambled eggs, and cream of wheat diet though....I could stand to lose a few pounds! And I will try the hot drinks and see if that helps, thanks for the idea DM.
Good luck tomorrow Geri, let us know how you feel!!!

#20 Post by **BraceUrself** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 1:24 pm

I agree 100% about the hot/warm drinks-I don't even have my braces on yet but when my spacers were first put in & I was hurting pretty bad, Hot tea & hot cocoa were my best & closest friend! I know we will be really close again after I am braced too!

#21 Post by **Geri** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 7:38 pm

Ahhhh, DM - the hot drinks thing might be why I have drunk more tea and coffee in the past few days than in ages....it did feel good - great tip.

Thanks so much DM and mmgreco for your best wishes for tomorrow - I was so pleased to read your posts tonight.

I sooo can't wait to get these spacers out and the braces on - even if the first few days probably won't be too nice. I am really glad it's gotten easier for you mmgreco. That soft food diet is not so bad - I may have even lost a pound or two! And your posts haven't scared me - much

I just feel prepared so thanks alot for that. I hope the sore goes soon DM - you're bound to have read all the great advice...salt water rinses, anbesol, lots o wax, toothpaste dabbed on, sodium flouride free toothpaste etc all help. Hang in there guys - it can only get easier!

I will be sure to let you know how it goes on b-day! When are you getting braces BraceUrself?

#22 Post by **Geri** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 8:00 pm

Ahhh, no need to say when BraceUrself - I saw your signature with it in on another post. Best of luck! Wooo-hoo not long now

#23 Post by **decisionmade** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 3:41 am

Thinking of you Geri....6:45 Am here in New England ..If you are even awake yet I'm sure you have butterflies..but honestly getting them on was only awkward..no pain involved..update us later!

#24 Post by **mmgreco** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 6:44 am

I can't wait to hear either Geri. My mouth feels much better today!!
I don't know if it's because I am scared to bite down or my teeth just aren't lining up like they used to but I might have a fun time trying to eat. Are you having that problem DM?

#25 Post by **decisionmade** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 9:25 am

oh yes MMgreco..same here..my ortho said my bite will get much worse before it gets better and not to freak out..my most satisfying meal is either tortellin or ravioli cut up..finally something that fills me up..other foods like yogurt, pudding and applesauce, soup are staples too...I definately had less pain this morning when I woke up but am still taking alleve regularly...my teeeth still feel loose and sensative...I know its early but do you see movement yet?so nice to not be alone in this...looking forward to heairng how Geri survived!

#26 Post by **mmgreco** » Mon Oct 03, 2005 6:06 pm

Yes, DM I definately see movement. Only 4 days with braces and I can see some minor changes in my teeth. My teeth today are feeling sensitive to the fact that if I drink anything it's kind of like a "shocking" feeling. I still can't eat, I just moosh everything on the roof of my mouth and swallow it whole. I am going to weigh myself Thursday and see if I have lost anything in the past week. Hey, I can stand to lose about 30 pounds!!

Meryaten, I am not sure what bite wafers are but if they can help me bite down then where can I get them!?! I haven't fully closed my mouth in 4 days, it just hurts too bad.
Geri, still waiting to hear how your b-day went...........keep us posted!!

#27 Post by **decisionmade** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 4:34 am

ooh mmgreco, sounds like you are having a tougher time than me..if I recall you have power chains right? maybe thats making things more difficult..I was able to eat ritz crackers..s-l-o-w-l-y yesterday but the idea of eating anything crunchier just gives me the creeps..i really miss my salads!I'm sure you kow this but make sure to get your vitamins etc..shakes and smoothies are a great way and I always have my blender on standby...i can bite down pretty hard now-considering--but my bite is soo messed up its awkward...no really bad pain anymore..just some sensativity and discomfort..i hoping to lose 10 more pounds and i'll be at my goal weight..i'm afraid of losing it too fast because i'm afraid i'll pig out and gain it back as soon as these braces are more comfortable..people keep telling me that in a couple more weeks I'll forget i have them on ..but hmm..I find that very unbelievable..I am soo super aware of them every minute...but i'm sure if we keep up the positive attitudes time will indeed begin to fly by or so I hope

#28 Post by **Geri** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 11:18 am

hello! Sorry I didn't post yesterday...my in-laws are here and I've been trying to be the 'host with the most' despite my almost total lack of bite and sore teeth. Can you tell I am feeling a bit sorry for myself today (although posting here has made me feel heaps better)! On the bright side, I am officially a member of the brace-face club!

So, how did it go? Thanks so much for asking, mmgreco and DM. I was so excited yesterday morning I got to the ortho's half an hour early! Well, the spacers were whipped out (hurrah) but before I had time to feel relieved the bands were being sized...now there's a fun process! After they had all been selected and cemented in place the ortho decided the top ones were too small and changed them! ouchy ouch ouch.

In case you don't know, I just got top ceramics and the lower bands fitted (lower metal braces go on in a month). No problem fitting the braces but wow it feels weird, don't you think? My face even looks a bit different because my lips don't close the same way (it's like I have to make an effort to close them). I haven't had much lips/cheeks soreness (although it's on its way) but I already have wax on the lingual-side lower bracket to protect my tounge. I have been doing salt water rinses and putting loads of lip balm on as they feel so dry. I have also been drinking like a fish (water - hot and cold) for some reason - it just feels nice. Eating is no fun, not even french toast which I love, so its soups and slim-fast shakes (as they are a nutritious meal replacement supposedly) for the next few days at least. Sounds like we are all in the same boat with regards to eating - the braces diet, eh? It could catch on

Still, I keep trying to remember that this phase won't last long (I even got pretty used to the evil spacers) and it's all part of the journey to a lovely smile. Thanks, KK, hearing about your experiences really helps.

wow- mmgreco, you are beginning to see movement already? That's really great - I hope mine move as quickly. I hope it gets easier soon for us all soon! Sure it will and it IS great to know we are not alone in this. Keep me posted with your progress guys.

#29 Post by **mmgreco** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 11:40 am

Geri wrote: My face even looks a bit different because my lips don't close the same way (it's like I have to make an effort to close them). I haven't had much lips/cheeks soreness (although it's on its way) but I already have wax on the lingual-side lower bracket to protect my tounge. I have been doing salt water rinses and putting loads of lip balm on as they feel so dry.

wow- mmgreco, you are beginning to see movement already? That's really great - I hope mine move as quickly. I hope it gets easier soon for us all soon! Sure it will and it IS great to know we are not alone in this. Keep me posted with your progress guys.

Geri, I know what you mean by having to make an effort to close your lips all the way, I do the same thing. I have to talk slower than before, it is hard to say my "s" and "z" along with others. I use tons of chapstick but have not used any wax. Knock on wood, I have no sores in my mouth.

I have seen some very minor movement so far, it's only been 5 days though.
KK, I can't wait for the first 2 weeks to be over. But then when I get used to the braces, I have to go in on the 10th of November and have my first adjustment and it all starts over......
DM, yes I did get power chains on the top front 4 teeth and then in the back on the bottom. And I know what you mean about losing the weight too fast, here in a couple weeks we will be able to eat again and I'll put on the weight lost plus a few pounds. That's how it always works anyways. I am definately keeping a positive attitude and counting down 2 weeks so I can eat something other than mashed potato's, scrambled eggs, and cream of wheat again.

#30 Post by **decisionmade** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 3:47 pm

great to hear you survived it Geri!! the bit of sores I had have improved and I haven't used wax once yet..lots and lots of brushing and rinsing..keeping everything clean I think has been the secret to the improvement of the sores..I don't really feel them today..(the sores i mean)..we'll see what tomorrow brings....mmgreco my adjustment is nov 10 also..we certainly are on the same schedule...at that time I may change from wire ties to clear ligs..we'll see... GERI-wow hosting inlaws while going through all this--you really are brave!..and why do you have to wait a month to get the lowers on?..anyway i'm glad youare doing ok and now i can agree..it does get better!