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Another thing is you can get the essix retainer which is clear and when you could leave it in for the morning until you brush your teeth, that way you're not pulling out a spitty retainer and can just clean it while you brush your teeth - husband doesn't even have to be around to witness.
I think looking young is a positive when it comes to braces. A lot of young people have braces (and more and more 'older' people now) it's seen as a pretty regular young person thing to do. I'm well into my 30's and people assume I'm my son's babysitter or older sister and I get asked for identification to prove my age if I buy alcohol and I presume I appear younger because of the braces but this is a good thing. I take it as a compliment.
It took one hour for both my upper and lower braces to be put on. A lot of people have their application broken up into a few appointments. I'm sure the ortho wouldn't mind breaking it up for you if you're concerned about the length of time in the chair. Call around and talk to a few until you find something you feel comfortable with.
My ortho only used the retractors for a few of the back teeth (no bands, just bonded brackets), then took them out and just used cotton rolls instead up under my lips to keep thing dry and a little more out of the way. It really wasn't bad at all. I was allowed to go rinse my mouth out periodically, which broke the session up nicely. Maybe you could ask if these things are possible for you.
Retainers slip out so easily, you could definitely take yours out before you even roll over to say good morning to your guy. I have permanent and essix retainers, and I don't find them cumbersome at night while I'm sleeping, but that's just me. A sense of humor about the whole thing helps immensely, too. When I was wearing rubber bands around the clock, I would have to take them out at night for certain activities , and the 'plink!' 'plink!' noise always made us both giggle...we referred to it as 'foreplay' and sometimes during the day, if I was in another room getting ready to eat or something, and I took them out and he heard that 'plink!' , he would tease me that he was getting turned on
You're too worked up. They won't sedate you, but it won't take 1-2 hours. For me, it took <1 hour. The foods will be easy to get over, or it was for me. Just limit your foods, and the apples and carrots you can eat if they're chopped up. You can also eat the Lite-Baked potato chips.
So, braces aren't too bad. You can eat your fruits chopped up or throw them in a blender and make a delicious fruit smoothie! (Actually, I'm starving, and I'm 3 days in Phase Two, so better make me a smoothie soon!) You can eat Lite-Baked chips.
Your teeth will be sore for 2-5 days. Some have had no pain, others have had long lasting pain. It's just up to your pain tolerance.
Do not eat the following-
Gum
Sour Patch
Normal potato chips
Corn chips
Tortilla chips
Mike & Ike
Any meat with bone (debone it)
Corn cut off the cob
Twizzlers
Beef Jerky
Caramel or chocolates with caramel (That list is LOOOONG)
A whole apple (Cut it up)
Candy apples
Popcorn
However, if you like Quest Bars, you can keep eating those, because they're not too chewy.
Chewy foods
Hard foods (Nata de Coco, no doubt.)
Crunchy foods
As for the application, they just stretch out your mouth-A LOT. If you comply, it can take less than 1 hour. If you don't, it can take 2-4 hours. My orthodontist put suction in my mouth to take out all the saliva, so don't worry about that. If you do need to swallow, swallow in the back of your throat and DO NOT TOUCH YOUR TEETH WITH YOUR TONGUE. The glue that they use to apply the braces with is disgusting.
The retainer is lifelong, I'm sorry to say. If you don't want a Hawley retainer, (the one that is able to be taken out) you can get a bonded (permanent) retainer that stays on your teeth 24/7. However, I'm not too sure on what foods are allowed with those. Some say you have to keep going on your braces diet. Others say eat whatever, so you should ask your orthodontist about bonded retainers and what he thinks you should keep eating. Retainers aren't noticeable at night, so your significant other can still kiss you without problems.
Maintenance can be a pain. You need to brush the braces, brush the wire of the braces, use a WaterFlosser, and floss the braces. (Flossing is HARD.)
Coughing hurts because it feels like it pushes your lower braces out.
If your teeth feel like they're loose, this is COMPLETELY NORMAL. It's actually good, because it means the braces are doing their job efficiently and well.
However, if this does not sound like something you want to do, just get surgery on your teeth.
, and the 'plink!' 'plink!' noise always made us both giggle...we referred to it as 'foreplay' and sometimes during the day, if I was in another room getting ready to eat or something, and I took them out and he heard that 'plink!' , he would tease me that he was getting turned on