Day 1 - don't think I can do this!!

[SummerPhoto]

I know this will sound cliche, but it will get better.

As of today, I've had my braces for 2 weeks and 1 day. The first day was awkward to say the least. I have springs on my front teeth, so not only do I have the bulky brackets, but I also have the springs which makes for even even bulkier smile. And it was definitely odd the first day and I had the same thoughts of 'why did I do this to myself?' But whenever I had those thoughts, I reminded myself that it was going to be worth it and I had to get past the first step to get the results I want. For me, it's two years of being slightly uncomfortable to have the rest of my life to not be self conscious about my smile.

When I left the ortho's office, she told me I'd have a few hours of no pain so I figured I'd get one last meal in. Sushi. Totally didn't think about the rice aspect. So that was fun picking all the rice out of my braces, and I definitely could not get to a toothbrush fast enough. Then the pain set in and there was about a week of soup and jello and me craving all the food I was too afraid to eat.

As far as my appearance goes, I didn't really ever grapple with the look of my braces. I was so unhappy with my smile, and so self conscious about it, that even though it may exaggerated now it doesn't bother me because I just see progress. And I know that everyday I have these on, my teeth are shifting a little more and in a month I'll see some change. And in 6 months, I'll see noticeable improvement. And it'll just keep getting better and better and I'll look like those end results of braces...the beautiful smile with braces on and then after that it'll just be the beautiful smile.

I'm two weeks in now and honestly, though I had some doubts at first, it hasn't taken long to get used to my braces. The pain is mostly gone (I still have a problem biting with my front teeth, but I attribute that to the springs and the added pressure on my front six teeth)and though I feel like I can't close my mouth all that easily, it's become my new normal and doesn't bother me. The canker sores I had have healed over. And honestly, the response from my friends has been wonderful. I saw a friend last night that didn't even notice the braces until we had been talking for ten minutes. Though you see them because you see your teeth everyday, other people don't notice all that much and even if they do, they don't meet you with ridicule. In fact, they respect that you're doing something for yourself and going through the steps that, as you're learning, aren't always easy.

The first few days are hard, and that's okay. But give yourself some time to adjust and your braces will feel a lot less foreign. The pain subsides as does the shock and once you start seeing the results it all feels more and more worth it.

[JanineJanine]

As others have said, it gets better so stick with it. I've now been braced for nearly 6 months and that time has flown by. After the first 5 days the pain had subsided considerably and I could eat fairly easily.

After a few weeks you'll start to see changes in your teeth and will remember why you're putting yourself through it. Taking regular progress pictures may help you to see the changes, which can be very motivating.

Keep smiling, you CAN do this!

[flowers4kelly]

Ruby - yes, 18 months is my time frame - although from all that I have read, that's a generalization.
And I would have said the same thing - based on how I felt I was looking the first week, I would have said, PASS. LOL. I also have the blue bumpers on 6 of my uppers to keep my teeth from hitting the brackets on my bottom teeth. This is by far the worst part of it for me - trying to chew is indescribable....sometimes they scrape together with that awful feeling of grinding. I hope that it will get better as my teeth begin to shift. Seriously, my food is still mostly whole when it goes down the hatch! And bacon, well I can't chew that very well yet. (But I work on that almost every day - bacon is my friend.)
I now feel bad for my son (only a little) - when he had braces and complained, I told him to suck it up and get over it. He has been having a good time returning that advice to me!
I think you will be surprised how you feel in another week. I know I feel better about it and probably will continue to as the weeks go by.

[Ruby77]

I have to say, reading that it does get better from people who have gone through it is the only thing helping at the moment so thank you!

Day 3 and this is the worst pain wise so far!

[djspeece]

Hang in there. The other thing I would recommend is some distraction "therapy," in case you have not thought of that. Favorite movies, yard work, walking, exercise, meditation, hard core liquor, and so forth.

[Ruby77]

Seriously, I hate these things!! I can't do this for 18 months

[Ruby77]

My teeth feel 'itchy' if that makes any sense, anyone else had that?

Is that because of the movement or because I'm not cleaning properly?

[djspeece]

I suspect that is due to the remodeling taking place as your teeth move.

[BlondeCam]

Yes it goes away you just get used to it. There have been times I think I look like a horse trying so hard to get my lips over the big ceramic brackets. Guess it becomes second nature after a few weeks.

[r1r1r12000]

Hi Ruby, you can do it!

I'm at almost 8 months now with metal braces and the blue bite blocks, so I can empathize. Probably 90% of the frustration and general suckiness of braces is concentrated in the first two weeks. Once I made it through that, I was used to them. By now, I really am not aware of having them the vast majority of the time. Even eating with the bite blocks is a total non-issue, as hard as that may be to believe on day 3!

Other adults just don't care/notice/judge us when they see our braces. The only comments I've gotten in 8 months are positive comments from other adults with braces, people who had adult braces, or people who are noticing my teeth straighten. The nice thing about having braces as an adult is that even at your most self-conscious about your metalwork, most likely the most embarrassing thing people will say to you is some variation of "Way to go, Ruby!"

You've made it halfway through your first week; it's all easier from here!

[Ruby77]

I hear what you are all saying and I appreciate your words of encouragement but I'm on day 5 now and feeling no better.

I hate them so much, almost to the point where I'm depressed about it. I feel like going back and asking them to just remove them,I can't do this.

Food is such an effort, I almost cant be bothered, I'm losing weight rapidly and can't afford to. I feel dirty no matter how much I clean them and I look so ugly. Who is going to want to chat me up now??

HELP

[buffon85]

It will get better. 2 or 3 weeks were really difficult for me but everyone is different. I have them for 2 years and I couldn't care less. They are not even there for me.
In the first weeks the feeling that I had is as my mouth was constantly exercising.

[Ruby77]

Ok, I need to buck my ideas up because I'm annoying myself with the moaning! I have done this myself, it was my choice and for a reason so I'm going to give it a month. If things have not significantly improved within that time frame then these buggers are coming off!

[cocomacd]

First of all....don't say you look like a freak because then we all look like freaks! In my first week, I was very aware of my braces...what people would think, that they were staring, that they stuck out far... But the truth is, they were none of those things, they were just different than my normal. Yes, they were painful, but that part got better. Then the movement started and the discomfort and pain became worth it. In fact, I find myself smiling more now because I'm more confident in my changing smile, and I want people to see that I am almost 40 rocking my turquoise ligatures! Chin up....soon you will be used to the new normal....yes, a few annoyances like eating salad....but in the end it will be worth it. Try to not look at it so negatively or the whole thing will be what you make of it. Try to be excited about the outcome, it will all work out! Hugs!

[djspeece]

Ok, I need to buck my ideas up because I'm annoying myself with the moaning! I have done this myself, it was my choice and for a reason so I'm going to give it a month. If things have not significantly improved within that time frame then these buggers are coming off!

That's a plan, Ruby. Not sure what more can be said at this point. As far as talking you up, guys will find any reason at all to strike up a conversation, and you have just provided a new reason. You'll need of course to act confident, happy, self-assured, and be your usual beautiful self -- so get out there and make it happen!
Also, see my signature block -- that saying has helped me over some rough times. Best of luck to you!