One week down.... 103 to go :(

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Capsfan
Posts: 12
Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2010 11:15 am

One week down.... 103 to go :(

#1 Post by Capsfan »

So I got braced last week and this is my first time back since then. I have top and bottom ceramics. The nervousness and scared feelings have gone away. There was a little pain the first couple days but nothing too bad. I am actually kind of proud of my braces now. So anyone that is thinking about it I have two words. Do it! Yeah it sucks the first few days but honestly the time before getting braced, the anticipation was worse. I actually enjoy the feeling of pressure on my teeth as it makes me feel like the braces are doing their job. I just keep thinking about the day I get them off and how happy I will be to finally have straight teeth. The one thing I can't stand right now is eating. I love food and I am having the hardest time eating. My bite wasn't perfect before (slight underbite) but it seems worse now! Whenever I eat I hit my lower teeth on my upper brackets and it hurts! I can't really chew that well and it is awful. I almost dread eating now. Does anyone know if there is anything the Ortho can do to help this? Or if you have dealt with something similar share your thoughts on how to cope with it, please! I'm not even gonna mention the massive amounts of food stuck in there. The fact of that is I am brushing my teeth more now then I ever have. I am probably brushing 5-6 times a day because I feel like there is food everywhere in my braces.

Donna
Posts: 150
Joined: Tue Jul 21, 2009 3:19 am
Location: Toronto

#2 Post by Donna »

A lot of people ask this question - I know I did when I first got my braces on. I was scared I'd have to eat soft, mushy food for a year. But after a week or two, I was able to chew pretty much everything I could before braces. Not sure what happened, whether my bite shifted, or I just got used to chewing with brackets. But give it time. It gets better. The massive amounts of food that get stuck in the teeth...that doesn't get better, LOL!
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Kimmy04
Posts: 5
Joined: Mon Feb 01, 2010 1:25 pm
Location: London, UK

#3 Post by Kimmy04 »

Hi Capsfan, fear not, I am fairly confident it will get better for you! I couldn't eat when I had my lower braces and quad helix appliance fitted, to start I couldnt bite down, chewing was impossible and then I couldn't swallow it but I think over time you are less conscious about how you are eating and your mind and mouth seem to come up with a new system to enable you to eat normally again! It took me about a month though, I lost alot of weight and im sure swallowing food whole wasn't a good thing, hehe! Just had my top braces put on so im facing a new battle now, big gaps where I have had my exractions (weird feeling) and tender teeth, ooohhh its so much fun, can't wait for another bowl of soup for dinner but I am sure it will get better :) I hate eating infront of people but I have a swish of water after every few mouthfulls, I must look a bit odd but it works for dislodging food! Brushing is good obviously but my hygienist told me not to brush straight away, leave it 20/30 mins otherwise you end up brushing the acids into your teeth which is not good.. i never knew that! Makes lunch breaks at work a mad rush :) Good luck, let us know how you get on!

wycket
Posts: 64
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:02 am
Location: Virginia

#4 Post by wycket »

Hello Capsfan! Congrats on joining the club!! :D
I've been braced for nearly a month now, and think that eventually, you will find yourself getting used to eating 'normal' foods. For me, it's taken a bit longer than I thought it would (due to shifting bite, 'loose' teeth, etc.), but it's getting there. But for right now, I still find eating to be far less enjoyable. I am considering it a "diet plan"! :P As for the food becoming trapped - Donna is right.... that won't stop until the braces come off!! :shock: Kimmy has some great suggestions, and I personally swish with water quite often during a meal. Good luck with your treatment - keep us posted on your progress!

PS: Your team is looking REALLY good this season, and as a Sabres fan, I'd love if we could catch you in the standings! :GapToothed:

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Boohill
Posts: 152
Joined: Sun Nov 01, 2009 11:08 am

#5 Post by Boohill »

Hi Capsfan :-1
I drove myself crazy before getting my braces as well. Anticipation is too much. :roll: I’ve had my braces for almost a month. I go for my first adjustment in 5 days. :jump: I also like the tight feeling of braces. I don’t really feel any pressure anymore. Congrats on getting your braces. Eating for me was a hassle for only the first week. My teeth were tender and felt loose. I felt like I was trying to chew with someone else’s teeth in my mouth. :soremouth: I adjusted to my braces quickly but eating was a different story. I didn’t do the soft food diet. I ate whatever I wanted because I ate a soft donut and it felt like a rock anyway. :GapToothed: And I’ve read that its better to eat as you normally do. With that said I just want you to know that it does get better. I was a non-believer even though a lot of people on here have gotten past that part and told me it would. I just couldn’t image eating normally, but I do now. I don’t snack too much anymore only because I like for my teeth to feel clean. After I brush, :-} I don’t like to mess up my clean mouth. :tingrin: Try to eat with a fork and not bite into food so that you don’t get too much food stuck in your front teeth. And if possible, invest in a waterpik. They really help to blast that stuck food out. Good luck.
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jambo532
Posts: 194
Joined: Thu Feb 04, 2010 8:55 pm
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same boat

#6 Post by jambo532 »

Just got mine on friday... couldn't be happier. I think I feel more comfortable smiling now with braces than before. weird.
http://allbraced.blogspot.com
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