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breel

I need reassurance.... 53 yrs young and just starting this journey..

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by
breel
, 01-20-2012 at 03:43 PM (267 Views)
Quote Originally Posted by breel View Post
Hi everyone!:wave:
IMG_1254cropped.jpg
I am 53 and have always wanted to get my teeth straightened... so my kids are grown, through college and married... so I decided to do something for myself. :)

I had my braces put on 1-18-12. I am using the SPEED brand - self-ligating metal braces. I have overcrowding on the lower arch and an overjet on the top. I only have my archwire on top. I am scheduled to have one of my lower front teeth extracted on the 23rd and will have my lower wire placed later that afternoon.

The first day was great. I was like "this is not as bad as I thought it would be.... piece of cake" and then yesterday morning I woke up with a lot more discomfort. Today - I am trying to figure out "What was I thinking"??? OMG! My upper teeth all feel loose and I can not eat anything. I am taking Tylenol which is not helping much. I am trying to avoid Advil since I have my tooth extraction on Monday. The inside of my mouth is being totally torn up from the little hooks on my brackets. I have put wax on almost all of my brackets.

I could not sleep last night - worrying about having my tooth pulled. I have some concern about having a perfectly healthy tooth pulled. I had two orthodontist tell me that it is the only way to make room for my teeth... pulling two in the back would make to much space - so they have recommeded that I have one incisor (that is small and already turned sideways) pulled out. I am also worrying about having that gap right in the front of my mouth. I work where I am talking to people all day long and it will be hard to hide.

Has anyone else had a lower incisor pulled? Did it take long for the gap to close? How long does it take until you can chew food again? How long does it take for the insides of your cheeks and lips to toughen up against the braces?

When I look at the pictures that others have posted - especially with the clear braces - it does not seem like you have as many "hooks" on your brackets... I am wondering why I have all of these. Does this mean they put them on there with the plan to use rubber bands later? I should have asked....

Thanks for listening to my story. I know this will all get better and it will be worth it in the end. I have never heard any one say they are sorry they had braces.... but right now - I would rip them off my teeth if I could :)

Lori
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Need Advice , Getting Started , Introductions

Comments

  1. abbaker's Avatar
    Hey, hang in there! It's never too late to take a positive step in your life. You are still super new to braces and have yet to settle in and grow accustomed to them. I have a bunch of button hooks on the inside of my upper molars as well as lots of hooks on my upper and lower teeth (for elastics to fix my bite), and yeah it can definitely get irritating and painful! That is normal. I went months pain-free and then last month I suddenly developed this blister on my lip from one of the hooks. It just means your teeth are moving and you definitely will get used to things eventually.
    I lived off of yogurt and green tea for like a week after I got my braces. Then I was able to eat ramen noodles (as a college student this was nothing new lol). Also those Boost meal replacement drinks are good! It will get easier, trust me. But a quick word of advice is be careful when sneezing or shivering because I found these things surprisingly painful (teeth slamming together!!).

    I wish you luck at your extraction appointment. If you've consulted with multiple ortho's and they all say it's what needs to be done, I think you're probably pretty safe with that decision.

    Keep blogging! :)
  2. Jude63's Avatar
    Lori, Welcome to the club!

    I didn't have any teeth taken out, but that lower incisor has a pretty small footprint, so that's a good thing. You'll look adorable! And younger! Like a six year old with a missing chomper.

    I found my crowded lower teeth straightened out faster than anything else. You'll see some sweet results before you know it. When do they plan to remove the tooth?

    Think calming thoughts and maybe see if your family Doctor will write you a prescription for Tylenol 3 (it comes in handy on the rare occasion, like, say, WHEN YER GETTING A TOOTH REMOVED and is just comforting to have.)
    Updated 01-22-2012 at 02:46 PM by Jude63
  3. JonnH's Avatar
    Hey, well done on making this decision. I've wanted to do something about my crooked teeth for ages but never wanted to suffer the "braces treatment", but only 2 months in and i have already seen amazing results. Believe me when i say that in 2 months you'll thank yourself for getting it done.

    I lived off liquid food for the first 2 weeks; ie. yogurt, weetabix (with lots of honey), soup, green tea and found meal supplement drinks a life saver!!

    Good luck with your treatment, and keep us posted please..
  4. NarcoAngel's Avatar
    There was one person who had an incisor pulled... it looked great when done.
  5. Ellebraced's Avatar
    Hang in there, I had the ODGWHID (Oh dear god what have I done) feeling for like the first 5 months now a year in and my teeth look pretty near perfect I am so happy with my decision, I have met many adults that wish they were as brave (or crazy) as me and had the guts to get braces. You have made an awesome decision and will be so happy that a 2+
    /- year sacrifice will give you years of happy smiles. Find the humor in the process it will help the hard days. I like advil and tylenol combo when the pain is real bad it works great together. I have lot of hooks in my mouth and they have only used a few I think they are there just incase.

    Take care and CONGRATS on being so brave and doing something wonderful for yourself!!
  6. mark clayson's Avatar
    I am 51 and just starting out so GOOD ON YOU!