28 years old and cant wait to smile!!

[ecoons]

My name is Erica and I am so excited to have found this forum. I have always been very unhappy with my smile and for the last 13 years I have denied myself so many opportunities because of this insecurity. Finally after years of not being able to afford braces, i have the option. Now, my only problem is actually going ahead and doing it. I guess after so many years of saying to myself that I wouldn't be able to afford it, it's wierd to to know that i won't have to find ways to hide my smile anymore. I also wanted to ask a question. Do metal braces really have the least treatment time? And if so, what color of bands should i get to kind of distract from having a metal mouth? Thanks to all

[shari45]

for myself if you get the dark gray ones you cant tell at all ( i have metal on the bottom ceramic on the top) good luck it will be worth it!

[MetalMickey]

I have had my braces on for just over a week. I too put it off for years, I am now 36. I have ceramics on the top and metal on the bottom with clear bands (for the first lot anyway). So far I have had very little pain, more discomfort, but definitely bearable. I used wax at night for the first 6 nights, but now don't need to. I am still getting used to the dry lips, but heaps of lip balm helps.

[Sunny]

Great you can start treatment Ecoon!

Brackets ... of any kind ... don't move teeth. They are bonded to your teeth ... and that's it ... no movement, no nothing. You need the skill of a good orthodontist who can use the necessary archwires to move your teeth ... so pick whatever brackets you want ... and let your ortho do the rest!

Good luck!

[Nola]

YEAH! way to go erica! i love to see non-children getting braces its cool cause its like never too late... When i had braces as a teen i preferred the clear bands...

[Kid Robot]

I just found this forum recently and I love it...I never knew so many people were going through the same thing as me.

Just turned 30 and got braces. It's so weird reading your story...feels verrrry familiar. To finally be in a position to get something for yourself you always wanted, a very good thing. Especially when it affects the way you feel so much.

Congrats on taking the plunge...we're all in it together!

[shortie27]

hi all, im 27 and have hated my smile for the last 13/14 years and i am finally gettin my teeth straightnened - just had the last 2 teeth extracted today and getting my spacers in wednesday. i am so nervous that its going to be a painfull process but cant wait for 18/24 months till i can smile proprly!!
Emma

[Sunny]

Emma congratulations that you'll soon have the bite and smile you long for!

Some people find the first week a bit challenging, whereas others find the adjustment easy. Be positive and take great care of your mouth and hopefully you'll find the complete process is relative easy.

The important things to remember to do are to keep yourself well hydrated ... good for your whole body and best of all it makes the inside of your mouth cope better with your braces. Use wax generously if you have any brackets rubbing ... and keep it on while you're eating. Swallowing wax will not harm us. Rinse your mouth with warm salty water to help soothe and heal ... and it's just a good mouth rinse ... and so inexpensive! Brush gently with a small tooth brush ... oral b electric are a great size. Floss well once a day ... every day. Use interdental brushes to clean around the bits and pieces ... and use a good mouthrinse with fluoride twice a day.

Hopefully your ortho will give you loads of great advice ... and if you have any questions ... this is a great forum to visit!

The best advice I can give is ... be positive!

[shortie27]

Emma congratulations that you'll soon have the bite and smile you long for!

Some people find the first week a bit challenging, whereas others find the adjustment easy. Be positive and take great care of your mouth and hopefully you'll find the complete process is relative easy.

The important things to remember to do are to keep yourself well hydrated ... good for your whole body and best of all it makes the inside of your mouth cope better with your braces. Use wax generously if you have any brackets rubbing ... and keep it on while you're eating. Swallowing wax will not harm us. Rinse your mouth with warm salty water to help soothe and heal ... and it's just a good mouth rinse ... and so inexpensive! Brush gently with a small tooth brush ... oral b electric are a great size. Floss well once a day ... every day. Use interdental brushes to clean around the bits and pieces ... and use a good mouthrinse with fluoride twice a day.

Hopefully your ortho will give you loads of great advice ... and if you have any questions ... this is a great forum to visit!

The best advice I can give is ... be positive!

aww thanks for advice, had my spacers in 5 days now and this is second day with no pain relief so doing well - (i think!) struggling to eat as it hurts when i bite down but it will al be worth it in the end. braces go on in 2 days nervous but exicted!! lookin forward to the weight loss from lack of food!!!

[Sunny]

Great you're ready to start in two days.

Eat well ... having braces will not stop you from eating ... only you can do that. If your mouth is sore and you need soft food, there's loads of options. Keep trying harder foods, cutting them smaller and chewing. It's necessary to chew to help both your gums and teeth.

You'll be good ... be positive!

[Candymomof3]

Good luck!! I wished for braces since I was a young teen, and was never lucky enough to get them---I'm now 32 and have been wearing them since January---there are up and down days but you will absolutely not regret it---the changes are amazing!!!