overwhelmed at the start of the braces journey?

[juliets]

thank you all - very kind and helpful
still settling but am sure it will all be ok in the end

[djspeece]

Yes, once you lose your mind it's ever so much easier!

[NeilH]

Hi. I hope you are finding it easier now. It's a lot to take in and get used to early on but soon you will forget you have them and won't give them a moments thought as you go about your day. You might find it helpful to really understand what is going on with your teeth and braces and by learning all you can about what is happening, or is going to happen, will feel more in control of the process. Get to know your ortho staff really well and ask lot's of questions, they are a great source of information and advice about what to expect between appointments. This board is also a great place to ask lot's and lot's of questions and to share thoughts and frustrations so that you realise you are not alone and experiencing the same as many of us here. Good luck.

[Lisamichelle18]

I got braced on Jan 5th and I have found it surprisingly easy to adapt. I do constantly look at my mouth and still am getting used to them but it's way easier than I expected. I think for me I have just waited so long to get them and had put it off for years. I think it also helps to go into it with a good attitude. I know it sucks but just think how beautiful your smile will look. I think everyone is different and you thoughts and feelings are absolutely normal.

I hope you start adapting soon to them!!!

Lisa

[juliets]

Thank you
Reassuring to know that asking questions is a good thing to do - I sometimes think that I am just annoying the team at my ortho - but think you are right - knowing the plan and what's coming up will help me with moving forward

For me the adjustment is to get used to having stuff in my mouth, to talking and to feeling confident. It is all happening slowly and it's so good to know this board and all these people are here.

[NeilH]

Thank you
Reassuring to know that asking questions is a good thing to do - I sometimes think that I am just annoying the team at my ortho - but think you are right - knowing the plan and what's coming up will help me with moving forward

For me the adjustment is to get used to having stuff in my mouth, to talking and to feeling confident. It is all happening slowly and it's so good to know this board and all these people are here.

I think there is a fine line between asking questions that appear to query their professionalism and making sure you are kept well informed. I have found my practice more than willing to answer all my questions and to involve me in all aspects of decision making but that didn't happen overnight. It took a while to develop that relationship and trust but has really paid dividends during my treatment as my story illustrates. If you have questions, write them down as I also found a little bit of planning led to a much more in depth conversation and by demonstrating an understanding, found their language changing to reflect my increasing knowledge.

I know it's easy to say but confidence comes from within and having braces is not something that can help this in all situations. That said, you will be amazed at the number of people, myself included, who have written that their confidence massively improved since starting. Most people don't notice or care that you have braces and those that do are usually really pleased for you. Smile lots, don't try to hide them and just accept that this is just a temporary stage towards getting straight teeth and one that many other people are undergoing at the same time. You will soon get used to the feel of them to the point you really will not notice them and forget you have them.

[schilla36]

Within the first 2-3 months of initially getting braces on I had 4 pre-molar extractions, lingual cleats on lower front to correct tounge thrust habit, TPA device on roof of upper palate to maintain mouth arch space, and the general shock of having metal wires and foreign objects in my mouth. Was A LOT to deal with and all at once. Was totally painful and changed a lot in my mouth. It has been a long process and I've hung in there thru it all. Lots of diet changes and keeping up on routine hygenie is key. It's defiently worth it and if you take pictures on your phone after every appointment you can defiently see the positive changes! But after your mouth gets used to everything each monthly appointment gets easier. I've had mine 8 months now and it's like cruise control. All the best & good luck!

[juliets]

Thank you

The reason I find this board so helpful is it reminds me that lots of others are going through this at the same time as me.
And that my treatment is unusual but not unique and others are going through worse things than me. So thank you

I am slightly obsessive about my cleaning/ hygiene routine and floss every day and use the waterpik and have my brush and paste with me whenever I go out - but that's good and it' s the new normal.
It will all become normal I know - and thank you for reminding me that cruise control is just around the corner!

[poetgirl115]

I'm at one week today (weekaversary. anybody remember that from middle school? lol). They're starting to feel more natural. What's killing me is that I still dont' know how to smile! I'm so used to smiling with my mouth closed, but now I look like SpongeBob with my lips way up near my nose if I even attempt a closed-mouth smile. Madness, I tell you!

Good luck, and I hope they feel more normal soon!

[Ziggy]

Got my braces 2 days ago and overwhelmed is an understatement. I also have those molar buildup so eating is a real chore. Yup, great time to start a diet and fortunately I have a turbocharged blender. My top teeth are starting to hurt and the braces are wearing a hole through my cheek. All that said, the other members here have been a great help and the voice of reason. I know it will get better and I'm convinced this is what I need to resolve the excessive wear I've been experiencing my entire life. BTW, I'm 68. Hang in there.

[littlething]

I still have a month to go until I get braced, but this whole process is (and has been) overwhelming at times. I'm sure it will pass as time goes by, but it helps to see this thread and know that I'm not the only one. :)

[emofaith]

I am now nervous and worried. I just did my wisdom tooth surgery and extractions of 4 premolar to make space for braces.

Now i am thinking how long will the extraction gaps close. Also wondering if my teeth that is out of place will it be too painful to shift in proper alignment.

https://www.realself.com/question/singa ... id=2250825

Btw, this is me now.

[djspeece]

I am now nervous and worried. I just did my wisdom tooth surgery and extractions of 4 premolar to make space for braces.

Now i am thinking how long will the extraction gaps close. Also wondering if my teeth that is out of place will it be too painful to shift in proper alignment.

https://www.realself.com/question/singa ... id=2250825

Btw, this is me now.

It's normal to be nervous, absolutely. NeilH has some great insights in his post above about developing a strong professional relationship with your orthodontist, and come to your appointments with your questions written down so you don't forget. In your case, the worst might be over! I am certainly no expert, and possibly not even sane, but the time it takes gaps to close is probably very individual based on your individual biology and anatomy. Some people here have reported gaps closing right on schedule. My case was not quite so easy, in that I had two persistent gaps in front my my lower molars (a result of extractions) that took an extra year. My ortho is cautious, which I appreciate, but ultimately did two rounds of propel therapy as well as adding a closing coil across the more stubborn gap. I'm 65 so that may have something to do with it, plus I know that my bones are very dense. As my ortho laughingly pointed out to me on numerous occasions, "Dan, some people are just more dense." So, please discuss your concerns with your ortho. He or she may not have a definitive answer, but you'll start seeing progress soon enough. When it happens, it happens so you need to try to be patient. And come here and keep us posted on your progress, rant, vent, and so forth. Best of luck to you!

[MummaFish48]

I am waiting to start treatment and already feel overwhelmed! Cannot imagine how I feel when I have a mouth full of metal and a brain full of pain....everything here reassures me it will be worth it? I just want them on and to be at the first check up at the moment as that will be 2 months in and hopefully things will be settling by then. As my Mum always said "No gain without pain!" My daughter did this twice! Once as a teenager and again aged 23 as she did not wear her retainer! So for sure I can do it! I will no doubt post my overwhelming feelings in a few weeks but at least I will be under way. Fear of the unknown is worse (I hope!). Fingers crossed you are feeling better now,

[djspeece]

I am waiting to start treatment and already feel overwhelmed! Cannot imagine how I feel when I have a mouth full of metal and a brain full of pain....everything here reassures me it will be worth it? I just want them on and to be at the first check up at the moment as that will be 2 months in and hopefully things will be settling by then. As my Mum always said "No gain without pain!" My daughter did this twice! Once as a teenager and again aged 23 as she did not wear her retainer! So for sure I can do it! I will no doubt post my overwhelming feelings in a few weeks but at least I will be under way. Fear of the unknown is worse (I hope!). Fingers crossed you are feeling better now,

Don't expect that you are going to have a lot of pain. Lots of people report only mild discomfort, and that is easily treated with wax and/or ibuprofen. It is a bit of a shock, at least it was to me, to have a mouth full of metal. You'll get used to it though soon enough. I mean if teenagers can do it then anyone can . Best of luck to you.