New to the forum

[Phoenix461]

Hi there. I just got top (arch is ceramic and metal on the rest) and bottom (all metal) braces affixed last Thursday, May 14. I have been told that the estimated time of treatment is 18-20 months. The orthodontist had the lightest wire put on so I would adjust to the braces / tension / pressure. I go back on Friday, May 29 to change the wires. Yikes.

My several hours were okay. When I got home, I tried to eat some baked salmon but could hardly eat it so I gave up and had some soup.

Friday was a better as far as the sensitivity in the teeth but I developed several sores on the inside of my mouth from the brackets rubbing in those areas. Time to hit up the dental wax. I am loading it on for sure.

Each day has gotten better and I hope I can eat most regular foods soon. But considering that the wires will be changed on May 29, I figure I will be back to square 1 again ....

[Denise]

That's great that each day is getting better. I've had mine for a month and a half now, and I still have sores in my mouth that haven't yet healed. The bottom brackets in the very back are the ones that bother me the most. I have terrible tooth sensitivity after a visit to the ortho. In fact, it's nothing but soup and pudding for me for several days after each visit. I am glad that you are feeling better after only two. It takes me about six. My treatment was also estimated at 18-20 months and I'm sure pulling for the 18! Congrats on getting braces and starting your journey to a beautiful smile!

[Phoenix461]

Hey Denise - thanks for the encouragement and looking forward to following your progress.

[Sunny]

Great that your treatment has started Phoenix!

The archwire your ortho will have put on is hard at work getting your teeth to start moving and some people do find this an uncomfortable time. The thin flexible wires are the ones that do the most work to align teeth, so if you have alignment work that's needed, you can expect this wire to start the major changes. There are a few sizes in the thin flexible ones, and your ortho may be going to move you through each of them, until your alignment is sorted. Hopefully your first adjustment won't be too tough, but some people take an over-the-counter pain med before their adjustments, if they find them a sore experience.

Dental wax is an amazing product and it allows the inside of our mouths to toughen, without the brackets causing sores. Warm salt water rinses also help, by soothing the mouth and healing. The best way to make them, is to put a pinch of salt in a small amount of warm tap water and rinse your mouth with it a few times. Gargling warm salt water is also good for your throat.

Hopefully you'll be eating more and more of your regular food each day. Where I work, we recommend patients wait four hours before getting back to their usual foods. The sooner you treat yourself as 'normal', the sooner you'll feel that way.

Good luck with your progress and your adjustment ... these are times to look forward to!

[Bunny]

Hi Pheonix. This is a great forum, with loads of helpful advice. I am a month in, sp still early days. I got started with a normal wire to really get me moving..and ouch!! Its better now. Although like Denise I also get very sensitive teeth after a visit so get yourself prepared with soft food for the 29th. If you have sores do use the wax or Braceze or Gishygoo, it really helps, my ortho also said lack of zinc can cause sores so make sure you are all vitamined up! Oh & keep hydrated...Sunny told me this...it works!!x

[Phoenix461]

Sunny & Bunny - many thanks for your input/advice.

I cannot wait for my mouth to "toughen up" as the wax is a pain in the bum but a definite necessity. Do you take the wax off before you eat? I tried but certain brackets kept aggravating the sores and it really hurts. Ouch!

I'm still trying to figure out what to eat. So far, I have been having protein shakes, oatmeal, soup, noodles. I tried to eat "normal" last night but with "semi-soft" foods and it felt very awkward to say the least. I am sure the fact that I am paranoid that I might pop the brackets off as well as the fact that my teeth/gums are still sensitive all played a part. I guess I am going through the stage where I want to be able to eat normally and craving everything I cannot have at the moment. Will I ever be able to eat normally again while I have braces on?

I was always practised good dental hygiene and I am even more diligent now as I do not want to get any cavities or develop gingivitis.

Thanks for all your help/advice.

[Sunny]

Wax should be kept on when you're eating, as this is one of the times (like talking) that your cheeks will move over the brackets a lot. The only time wax needs to be removed is when you're brushing. Some good advice ... wear wax for 24 hours longer than you think you need it, then your mouth is almost certain to be feeling great.

You should be able to eat normally four hours after your brackets are bonded ... or at least where I work, that's that recommendation. Some patients find eating hard foods takes a little longer, but the best way to deal with these is to cut the food up and if you can't chew, then it's safe to swallow. Chewing is necessary to increase the blood flow in your gums and this has been shown to help teeth move. Keep trying to eat your usual foods, as with practise you'll find it gets easier.

Your brackets won't come off with most foods, as think about the pressure the archwire puts on those brackets and you'll realise that eating won't affect them. If (like me) you don't like the feeling of food stuck in and around your brackets, rinse your mouth with a little water while you're eating. This is good for your hydration, which will help your body (and mouth) feel better.

Good luck!