nervous

[MetalMonica]

Seems we are lined up pretty closely. I got my braces put on Wednesday and have damon clear on top and metal on the bottom. Just wanted to add words of encouragement as we both embark on this new journey to a better smile.

[carrieann]

Thanks guys, I love hearing your stories. Day 4 and my biggest problem is the sores on the inside of my cheeks. I can't tell if the wires or brackets are the culprit, or both. It feels like knives being stuck into my cheeks. Im sure you all know the feeling. Without wax I can't move my mouth. It's a complain. I want to tough it out and see if it gets better before scheduling an appointment and missing work for it. I realized a couple days ago I don't have brackets on the very back bottom teeth or a wire going through the very back top teeth brackets. This makes flossing a dream for those 4 teeth. It's the little things. Though I'm sure I'll be all bracketed and wired soon back there. I also have those little blue dots on my back bottom teeth so my teeth don't hit my brackets. When I bite down my front teeth are awful close to my bottom brackets, which scares me, but my ortho must know what he's doing. Had mashed potatoes yesterday. Otherwise sticking to my smoothies. I almost don't even want to eat normal food in the future when I'm able to because of the hassle it will be to clean these things!

[carrieann]

Metalmonica, How are you doing on Day 3? I got mine on Tue, we are just one day apart.

[littlething]

Those canker sores definitely suck. I had to go back to the ortho about a week after I got braced to get a ligature replaced, and the assistant (she was the one who put my brackets on) felt so bad for me because I had sores literally all over my mouth. Unfortunately, there isn't much they could do about them - your cheeks just have to build up resistance. I rinsed a ton with Rincinol, and I ended up using some Orajel to numb them so I didn't want to cry every time I brushed my teeth. I was basically going through a container of wax a day! They did all go away within a week though.

When I first started eating solid food again, I got super annoyed that everything got stuck everywhere...then I realized, well, looks like this is the way it's going to be for the next 2 1/2 years and I better get used to it! Waterpik works wonders in getting all the gunk out!

[carrieann]

So what do you do when your molar cement buidups are not working anymore and the front teeth are now just barely touching your bottom brackets when you bite down? Wait a couple weeks until your next appointment? I used to grind my teeth in my sleep or clench my jaw before braces but not sure if I'm still doing it.

[Lovelyteeth]

Not sure if this will help but as I have a bottom bracket knocking a lower tooth on my molar I put dental wax as a kind of molar build up over the bottom tooth ever night before I go to bed. It just cushions the tooth until and it becomes uncrooked.

[carrieann]

Lovelyteeth- Thank you, I'll try that! Just had my build ups built up more and they touching yet again. I don't know how I grind these down in 24 hours. I'd rather wax it than go back to the ortho again.

[Lovelyteeth]

Is the wax build up helping? I still have to use it every night. I feel like things have stalled and cannot notice any changes. My next appointment is in a few weeks where he'll put in a square wite which will hopefully move the offending tooth out of way so I don't need to cover it everynight. Annoyingly the last couple of nights inside lip has been irritated by a bracket so I did some salt water rinses and covered the bracket with wax at night and it really helped.

[carrieann]

Is the wax build up helping? I still have to use it every night. I feel like things have stalled and cannot notice any changes. My next appointment is in a few weeks where he'll put in a square wite which will hopefully move the offending tooth out of way so I don't need to cover it everynight. Annoyingly the last couple of nights inside lip has been irritated by a bracket so I did some salt water rinses and covered the bracket with wax at night and it really helped.

I actually haven't tried it, I think I'm getting better at sleeping with my tounge on the roof of my mouth which relaxes my jaw. Or not...of course how would I know? Lately when I bite down the top teeth are just above my bottom brackets. I think my incisors are touching now but only on one side. My next appointment is May 12 so I'll see what he thinks. I honestly don't even know how my bite should be and it changes so much anyway. I hope your offender tooth gets out of the way soon! Wax is still my best friend!

[carrieann]

Lovelyteeth - I see you are over 2 months in. When did you notice real change? I feel like nothing is happening but it's only been 23 days...

[Bmac88]

dont be nervous, be excited! it'll go by quickly and at the end you will be so happy you did it! I just for ceramic on top and metal on bottom a few days ago and nobody looks at me any different (if they even notice them at all) good luck!

[carrieann]

dont be nervous, be excited! it'll go by quickly and at the end you will be so happy you did it! I just for ceramic on top and metal on bottom a few days ago and nobody looks at me any different (if they even notice them at all) good luck!

You are correct! No one notices or cares. I hope things are going well with your new braces!

[carrieann]

I have elastic phobia now. I got over the fear of braces humiliating me, now I'm very apprehensive about the elastics. I have my first adjustment on wed and I'm terrified he will prescribe them although I really don't know when they come on. I'm very early in treatment. Elastics are so visible to others and I don't want to gross people out at work. I also talk on the phone a lot and have to page people so if I have a lisp everyone will hear it loudly over many speakers! Also if they cut up your cheeks how the heck do you put wax on elastic?? I doubt they can be worn at night only. At least not for many months. I know they are part of treatment at some point and I have about 12 hooks.

[jaime]

I have elastic phobia now. I got over the fear of braces humiliating me, now I'm very apprehensive about the elastics. I have my first adjustment on wed and I'm terrified he will prescribe them although I really don't know when they come on. I'm very early in treatment. Elastics are so visible to others and I don't want to gross people out at work. I also talk on the phone a lot and have to page people so if I have a lisp everyone will hear it loudly over many speakers! Also if they cut up your cheeks how the heck do you put wax on elastic?? I doubt they can be worn at night only. At least not for many months. I know they are part of treatment at some point and I have about 12 hooks.

Elastics aren't gross, they're part of your treatment and people understand that. Lots of people had braces as kids so they will know what your elastics are.

I've had to wear elastics every day for the last 11 months and it's a non-issue. I've worn all sorts of variations (due to having jaw surgery) and they didn't cut up my cheeks.

Chances are even if the elastics give you a lisp, you will learn to adapt.

It seems like you're working yourself up over things unnecessarily and stressing yourself out needlessly. Trust in yourself that you will be able to handle all of this because you don't really have a choice anyway!

[oldfart]

Not sure why you would think elastics are gross. It's basically little rubber bands. Now there are a lot more gross things about braces like spitting, drooling, sushi hanging from your wire, than just elastics.

I had them a lot, and never had any cuts due to the elastics. Just the hooks which could be waxed.

Good luck.

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