only 2 weeks and already want them off!

[kirjax]

I have heard people tell me spacers are worse then braces and others say yeah right braces are by far the worst. I think it's different for everyone. Right now I'm pretty tolerable to them. I had them many many years ago when I had an expander and I remember them being horrible and crying all the time. This time (maybe bc I'm older) they are more annoying then bothersome. But I am going into day 2 and I can feel the tenderness settling in greatly. I can't eat ANYTHING and I'm already skinny I can't imagine what this will do to me!

[KatK]

Hi There,

I'm also 24 and have just started an MBA program. I've had the same issues with eating not being the same, my talking is still not the same, etc. However, I can tell you that so far I've met a ton of people at Grad School and not one has given me any funny looks about my braces/slight speech problem (the talking thing has gotten WAY WAY better) Hang in there, it'll be worth it!!!!

[Mbraced]

Hey, I feel your pain (literally). I am 33 years old with braces and am just finishing my first year in graduate school. On third day I told my girlfriend, who is also my ortho assistant, that I wanted these things off of my teeth and I have changed my mind about the whole thing. However, I too just had four teeth pulled prior to getting my braces on. So, I either learn to love the braces for the next 21-24 months or live with gaps in my grill for the rest of my life. It's been 10 days now and I think I will actually live through it. By the way, I too am job seeking and just went to a two hour interview where I had to talk a lot and mingle with existing staff. That was not a comfortable situation, but I think the big deal about it was all about the way I felt instead of how they felt about me. It sucked for a few days, but it gets better everyday.

[Windpetal]

I have had my braces on for 4 days and I am already ready for them to come off! I feel a lot better today than I did yesturday though. Hopefully that is a good sign! All of my teeth feel loose and sore so I guess that tells me that treatment is already starting to work. When it comes to eating though I haven't really been able to because it hurts to bite down. I have been trying to chew between my back teeth and jaw if that makes any sense.

[Graceful58]

I sympathize with you...truly! I'm 46 and have been in an upper and lower pallet expander now for 4 days and it's not fun. I new this going into it but knowing and actually going through it are a bit different. BUT...in saying that I know I will be quite pleased with the results so that is where my focus is. Yes...I'm struggling like you and I can't talk right, I am having problems eating but I know "this too shall pass" so I just would like to encourage you to keep your eyes on the prize...that beautiful smile you'll have at the end of your journey will be well worth it.

:):)

[kypsis]

I am 25 and about to get braced this Friday, the 11th. Got spacers put around my molars last week, and my mouth still hurts - OTC painkillers do not help at all. Oh well. I have read in several threads here that chewing helps the bloodflow to the gums and thus with the soreness - but what would be good to chew? I cannot bite on anything hard, cause that makes me feel a lot worse. People who've been through this already - is there something medium-hard that you found helpful to chew on? Thanks in advance!

[Jstu15]

Got braces fitted a few months ago. The first day was bad, then it started getting better. Then after a week it started getting much worse. I wasn't eating properly because I couldn't chew anything. My jaw, gums, head, tongue all ache, I have 3 ulsers under my tongue, and 2 on my lips, a cut up the side of my tongue where the blue stuff they put on to stop you biting down has worn away has pertruded and left a sharp edge. A cavity has also appeared underneath said blue stuff and it is bloody killing me. The wire at the back is stabbing into my teeth, and that wax they give you is completely and utterly useless. My mouth constantly tastes of metal, so I cant even taste the non-stop-soup. And to top it all off, the pain when I am brushing my teeth is unbearable, so I cant do a proper job, meaning I most likely have stains, which to be honest, I would rather have a gap between my front teeth, because at least that looks clean. I'm booked in to have them removed later this week, and have quite possibly the worst decision I have ever made reversed.

[Guitarchick]

Sorry to hear you are having a difficult time. I found it really hard at the start too. I'm 30 now so feel very old but it's not so odd now being an adult with braces. Lots of people will be in the same boat or will be considering it themselves. Hang in there and it will be all worth it and you'll feel amazing x

[mrscetrone]

Awww, it gets better, I promise. Soon you'll get used to it.

[infusionaire]

I'm in the same boat as you. (1 week here.) This constant flossing and brushing is driving me crazy. But im being told it will be worth it in the end. So we just gotta hold out!