Candymomof3

Hi. Yes the first week with braces seems to drag on and on. But the time goes by faster as you get further into the treatment it seems.

Here's to some results fast.

Shame this forum is your second choice, but I'm sure you'll find it a great one!

When molars don't touch it can be frustrating, but keep trying to eat the foods you're used to. Plus if this is still an issue at your first adjustment, talk to your ortho about it, as there may be something that can be done to help.

It's great you have support at home and here's to this being a great journey for you!

Hi Candymomof3,
I am pleased to hear you found this forum to connect with others. Too bad you are struggling with eating and pain but the end will justify the means. Did you have clear or metal braces placed? Are your braces traditional or self-ligating?

I am interested in your progress as I will have my braces placed in 12 days (yeah!) the difficulty eating thing sounds really good (I have several extra pounds I can afford to lose)! Please keep us informed.

BracedHonda weight lost due to ortho treatment is a negative, as it's not the result of a permanent change in lifestyle and for most people that means it returns with extra. It's important to try not to loose weight, or at least to keep it minimal, as your health is more important.

Good luck with getting your treatment started!

Hi guys, thanks for the welcome! I am doing okay, I have 2 ulcers starting though--and yes, wax helps a lot, but hate the "look like a fish" effect it gives me! I have manage to eat a real meal today, and gingerly biting down...Had a pork chop --tiny thin slices at a time, and fried potatoes, and grean beans--and managed to eat everything--yay...also had 1/2 a brownie too LOL, before I brushed and picked out my dinner, thought I would eat one while I had the chance! I do see this as a great opportunity to stop eating between meals thoug..as it is just not worth it to have to brush and floss all over again. Definitly easy to say NO now! If it helps me lose a few pounds, then that's okay with me! It'll be much easier to maintain with all these new ground rules I have to follow!!! The pain not too bad today, thank goodness! Braced Honda--I have metal lowers and porcelin uppers...I like that they are less obvious but they are bigger and bulkier than the metal ones I think. I'm really not sure what kind I have, Is that crazy? not sure if they are self ligating or traditional...can I tell by looking?

Hey--how I post pictures?

Candy you need to open a free online photo storage at a place like ... Photobucket, or Image Shack. Follow their instructions to store your photos ... it's easy to do.

Then when you post to your blog, you can add the code from that site, that says to use when posting to forums. If you want the full size photo (make sure it's not too big), you use the direct link and if you want a smaller pic (thumbnail) that people can click on to see a larger photo ... use the thumbnail link.

Good luck!

Sorry about the ulcers, but it's good you're using wax ... and remember to keep it on when eating and for at least 24 hours after you feel the area is healed. The wax will allow the are to toughen without causing more sores.

Rinsing with warm salt water is also great for the healing ulcers and soothing your mouth. Put a small amount of salt in a small amount of warm tap water ... you really shouldn't be able to taste the salt, but it won't do any harm if you can. Rinse with that a few times a day ... and that should help speed things along.

Self ligating brackets have 'doors' or 'clips' to hold the archwire in place and 'traditional' brackets use the O rings, or ligatures ... the small coloured rings that hold the archwire in place. Many of the ceramic brands are slightly larger, but they're no higher off the tooth and they usually have a smoother finish than the metal brackets, which means they can be mixed with metal brackets and they're usually a lot easier to get used to. The smaller the bracket, the more pokey it will be and the more discomfort it can cause.

It's great that you're eating well again. The sooner you get back to eating as you did pre braces, the more quickly you're feel that this is all normal and you can then relax and enjoy your progress!

Take care!

OKay, this gives you some idea...sorry for the blur, still figuring this out...they will get better. Going to take a pic every Monday!
Hope every one is doing well--thanks for the support and advice---much appreciated!

Just noticed, the wire itself is a little straighter....we'll see tomorrow when I take a pic!

Candy don't have the camera to close to your mouth, as you're loosing focus. It's best to use the macro setting (usually a flower icon) and then crop the photo before loading it to photobucket. I usually take a few pics of each angle, just to make sure I get clear ones. I also take the pics, while facing a mirror, so that I can see in the view finder, what I'm focused on.

Great that you think the wire is a little straighter ... progress!