Getting ready to start my journey...

[Aro]

Hello everyone! I'm a 27 (soon to be 28) year old adult female and I'm getting ready to take the plunge and get braces. I'm getting ready to post my story, but I thought I'd introduce myself here first ^_^

I've had bad teeth my entire life (though I never wanted braces as a kid so I didn't get them), and I've had so much dental work done over the years from fillings to root canals, and most recently (one year ago this month) my first apicoectomy--that's another story.

Anyway, I don't post in forums so much these days, but I've been lurking around here for the past few weeks and thought it'd be good to get connected and share some experiences with others going through the same process.

[Nami]

Hello and welcome! I started my journey not so long ago too! Cheers!

[Aro]

Getting close now. Braces go on on Thursday, extractions on Friday. Oh boy...

[Nami]

Getting close now. Braces go on on Thursday, extractions on Friday. Oh boy...

Better start shopping for a soft diet!

[Aro]

I've already made out a list. Not looking forward to it...

I'm going to miss cheeseburgers

[Nami]

At least you don't have to wait (or cheat eat) it ~2yrs
Caramel, mochi, and apple pie on the other hand...

[Aro]

Oh, Mochi >_< I know what I'm getting when they come off

I've been eating all the sour gummy candy I can now before the braces go on in a few days. I guess this'll give me a reason to cut down on candy. I don't eat a lot of sweet desserts anyway (even though I do like caramel and apple pie), so that doesn't bother me so much. I don't drink as much soda as I used to either.

Hopefully I'll adjust pretty well. 18 months in braces to look forward to...

[Nami]

My sweet intake has spiked since I had my teeth extracted milkshakes, pudding, ice cream, cupcakes non-stop @@; shockingly, I lost 2lbs so far. XD

[Aro]

Oh wow O_O

This'll be an interesting journey to say the least. I don't feel like I particularly gain or lose weight consistently anyway, but I also don't regularly weigh myself too much (I'm a skinny person with a high metabolism and a pot gut if that's a thing XP)

[Nami]

I'm on the skinny spectrum too but rather than a pot belly, I got love handles =_=" I don't consider myself to have a fast metabolism... I work out to compensate for my sweet tooth >.<!! XD

Btw, it's really, reeaaalllyyyyy not fun to eat with braces. It makes such a mess and it's such a pain to clean afterwards, especially outdoors.

[Aro]

I'm not looking forward to awkward eating XP I'm trying to prepare myself for it, but I can't imagine what the actual feeling will be like.

I've been saying I was going to start working out just to get in shape, but I'm a generally lazy person at heart when it comes to that. I haven't really been "in shape" since I did marching band in high school over 10 years ago.

Anyway, I have a meeting with my ortho this afternoon before I get braces tomorrow. I didn't ask any of the questions I should've at my consultation in February because
1) I didn't plan on getting braces to begin with, I just went to the consult because it was free and to make my dentist happy XD
2) I was in shock when I heard the word "extractions" (I expected the wisdom teeth to be targets, but not these extra teeth too--but to their credit, one tooth at the top has had a root canal previously, the top on the opposite side is pushed way far in it looks like it's not there anyway, and the two on the bottom are really malformed)

[Nami]

I've had braces before but I don't rmb how bad it was... They did an EXTREMELY terrible job in which I am finally getting (hopefully) better treatment this time around.

I've been gaining and losing pounds over the years. I gained freshman 20--not 15 but still @@;... Then lost all of it over time with diet and exercise. Gained another 10, lost that 10 as well. Lots of body changes... It's the love handles that stick that I am sorta getting rid of now. I use to do a lot of cardio and hated it. I picked up weight lifting beginning this year. I just returned to the gym after giving myself some time to recover from my extractions.

Make sure you really like your orthodontist... Braces and its aftermath (retainers) are for life!! You got to upkeep it and if you don't have a good relationship with your ortho, it would be a lot harder. Consider if your ortho is a good match with you in terms of personality, schedule, fees. etc. Don't go with the first ortho you met with....... If you went to a couple of consultations, you can compare who is best in terms of skill and experience. Your braces may be placed tmr, but rmb don't feel bad if you need to cancel and look more into your options. You shouldn't feel rushed and go at your own pace. At the end of the day, it's your smile and they're just getting $$$ from you.

[Aro]

I actually didn't see another ortho (probably bad of me...), but the first time I went to the office and met with him, I had a feeling deep down that I was supposed to be there, that there was some reason that I was sent to him specifically. I did speak with my general dentist and my endodontist since they both know my teeth and I trust them very much, and my endo assured me that this particular ortho is very knowledgeable (over 20 years of experience) and that I can trust that what he says is usually the best decision. Even the secretary's niece goes to him for braces and they did get several opinions. I just had a good feeling if that makes any sense.

On another note, I met with him (the ortho) again today before things get underway and I asked him the questions I should've asked before but didn't for whatever reason. He's very easy to talk to once you get going and he answered all my concerns (I have had quite the journey with my teeth so I consider myself a unique case--maybe I'll post that story somewhere sometime ^_^) My treatment coordinator is super nice and helpful as well, and she answered the rest of my questions after the ortho left.

I never wanted braces before, but now that I'm an adult and I am trying to take better care of my teeth and gums (which I've been lazy about before January), I know this is the best thing to do for my health and that's why I'm going to do it. Not saying that I necessarily want braces now after all these years, but I've had so many oral problems in the past I don't need any more in the future. I'll just have to live with the retainers I guess -_-

Anyway, I've decided to vlog my braces journey so that I can see the changes happen. I may put it out there or I may just keep it for myself. We'll see.

[Nami]

That's great that you found an ortho that's right for you! It's your big day getting braces today so good luck, good luck!! XD which teeth are you going to have extracted if you don't mind me asking?

I've thought about documenting my journey but ehh.. Welps.. Haha

I've been gradually eating more solid food. Being on a mush diet was really tough and I was hoping I could hang on a bit longer but nope. Moving onto solid (but still soft) food. I need the energy to fuel my gym workouts @@;

[Aro]

I'm getting my wisdom teeth and my 4 second premolars extracted. My two wisdom teeth on the bottom, however, can't be pulled because the roots intersect the nerve that gives feeling to my lower jaw and bottom lip. So instead the oral surgeon is doing a coronectomy on each tooth (cut off the top and leave the bottom) so that the bone will fuse around the remaining roots. If they decide to erupt one day, I'll have to get them removed. If not, I won't ever have to worry about them.

My appointment for the braces is in 2 hours. Never wanted this before, but I'm committed now so let's do it ^__^