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

[Aaeolien]

Just hang in there. Its the nature of the beast called braces. I went thru it the first time I had braces on and I'm sure in a few days I'll be saying it again when I get them on a second time. Braces require just getting into a new routine of eating, brushing and all that. LOL It will get better. Girlfriend just went thru it starting with her invisalign, she was ready to throw them in the trash. LOL (PAIN IN THE BUTT in my opinion, but thats for another topic). But 2 weeks in and she has her new routine.

[Juliebrynn1]

Ruby 77, I know exactly how you feel. I got my braces at the end of march, and I know for a fact I was clinically depressed from them. All I could do was think about them day in and day out. But, please try to be patient. I also went to my orthodontist a week after having them in sobbing and told him I wanted them off. He said just wait till he has a price for how much it will cost, and obviously, it wasn't worth it. Anyway, I couldn't eat or sleep. I lost about 10 pounds in about 2 weeks due to all the frustration, pain and the hideous look of them all, and being depressed. I called the orthodontist office every day for the first two weeks, trying to find a solution. Please try to be patient and realize this is a small window, compared to the rest of your life. The other thing I want to point out, is, we are our own worst critics. I think about adults I have met through the years with braces, and not once did I think it made them look ugly. I just though, oh wow, they are got braces as an adult. I also made the situation worse by trying to use hydrogen peroxide to get rid of the mouth sores, and ofcoarse, ended up with hydrogen peroxide burn. Talk about Pain!!! Please just try to be patient with yourself and treat yourself with kindness. Trust me, we are our own worst critic. It will all be O.K. in the long run. It took me about 2 - 3 weeks to feel semi normal, lol. And always remember, time heals all wounds.

[Ruby77]

Hi all,

I thought I would update you after my massive amount of moaning!

So less than 2 weeks in and I am feeling so much better. I still don't like them but I am learning to eat and talk better and I'm not so self conscious. I am actually feeling quite proud of myself for going through with it and addressing something I haven't been happy about for years. I am thinking about the end result and this is a means to an end. The pain has eased off but I'm even kind of enjoying that in some weird way as I know it means my teeth are moving.

So, you were all right and anyone else going through this, it does get easier!!
X

[SummerPhoto]

[quote="Ruby77"]Hi all,

I thought I would update you after my massive amount of moaning!

So less than 2 weeks in and I am feeling so much better. I still don't like them but I am learning to eat and talk better and I'm not so self conscious. I am actually feeling quite proud of myself for going through with it and addressing something I haven't been happy about for years. I am thinking about the end result and this is a means to an end. The pain has eased off but I'm even kind of enjoying that in some weird way as I know it means my teeth are moving.

So, you were all right and anyone else going through this, it does get easier!!
X[/quote]

Ruby, I'm so happy for you!

The first weeks are definitely difficult, so much to get used to, but I'm glad you've gotten past that point and now see that this is something that is ultimately going to be great for you!

This site is an awesome support system, and you're more than allowed to have bad days, but keep your mindset on the outcome and that this is something you've been wanting. And when those bad days do strike, there's an awesome group of people here that have been there and you're welcome to vent. We get it.

[littlenatter]

Oh my goodness, I am having mine put on later today! I am PETRIFIED! I have to have them on for 2 weeks!

[littlenatter]

2 years lol! see.. I can't even type argh!

[djspeece]

Oh my goodness, I am having mine put on later today! I am PETRIFIED! I have to have them on for 2 weeks!

Everyone's experience is different; and frankly, making the decision to get braces is the hard part. Just understand that the first few weeks are probably going to be a challenge, and keep the goal in mind. Best of luck to you!

[littlenatter]

[quote="djspeece"][quote="littlenatter"]Oh my goodness, I am having mine put on later today! I am PETRIFIED! I have to have them on for 2 weeks![/quote]
Everyone's experience is different; and frankly, making the decision to get braces is the hard part. Just understand that the first few weeks are probably going to be a challenge, and keep the goal in mind. Best of luck to you![/quote]

Thanks! Top brace on and actually it's not even half as bad as I thought it was going to be! I don't even feel self conscious of it! I felt more self conscious of my teeth themselves for the past 28 years, this is nothing! Feeling excited for the journey to begin now! Bit of a strange feeling and a little sore but easily manageable

[Aaeolien]

Yep the beginning is a little sore. Don't be afraid to use the wax. LOL I've been lucky the first 3 days and my lips haven't been bothered but man oh man a few teeth are super sensitive. Different ones each day so far. Kind of interesting to wake up and go "So which are going to hurt today?" Good luck with your journey. I'm on day 3 of 12ish months.

[SkizzyD]

The first few weeks and adjustments are always tough. Once your mouth settles down and you start seeing changes, you'll be fine. Beyond that, they'll just become a normal part of life. After that, you'll just want to get them off. After that, you'll be on the final home stretch to getting them off.

If you stop now, you'll be sorry later. Stick it out. Things get better!

I've been in braces 3.5 years.

I think everyone goes through the same first 2 or 3 months with the mouth adjusting to the braces. You'll get there and time will go faster than you think.

[Whaddowino]

I am so glad to have found this thread. I got my braces yesterday at the age of 46. (My teeth had shifted so forward in my mouth that my bottom canines rotated 90 degrees.) Now, I feel like I am holding a couple of spiny caterpillars in my lips and it is torture! So far, I've had ZERO appetite to chew any food and am subsiding on protein shakes. This really is more mentally straining for me than anything. One good thing: My 14-year-old daughter went through two sets of braces and now has gorgeous teeth. She is a big support. Still, wrinkles and braces? Good god.

[Fit4lifer]

Wow! This mirrors my comments during the first two weeks....everything above my neck HURT! I did NOT believe people who said things would get better in a few weeks. BUT IT DOES! You mouth will adapt to having something foreign in it. You WILL stop spitting on people. Honest! The pain will subside and you WILL learn how to prepare in advance for those tightening visits (ibrupropen 800mg while in the waiting room works for me). Hang in there. I will if you will.