I have waited 25 years for this!!

[NotParis]

Hello All, I am new to this forum and new to braces. I am almost 35 years old. I got my top set on 4/16/10. I go back for the bottoms on 5/24/10. I have a cross bite and all kinds of crooked teeth. I have wanted braces since I was 10 years old.

At age 8 my parents took me to a dentist and I had 8 teeth pulled in preparation for braces. I remember this happening very vividly and it has caused years of dental anxiety. Anyway, the dentist must have wanted too much money or something cause I never went back to him again, never got braces either. In fact, my parents didn't take me back to a dentist until I was 15, at which time I had 13 cavities that had to be filled.

Since becoming an adult, I have been diligent about going every 6 months and keeping my teeth. I finally decided it was time to have braces last summer and it has taken this long to get the financial part of it figured out. (I am flexing the payments). I am excited to have them. But I wasn't prepared for the difficulty I would have with chewing. Since I have a horrible cross bite, the dentist had to build up three of my top teeth so I can't bite together. It kinda sucks, but I am adjusting. I have learned to cut things into small pieces and swallow everything whole
It has been a week and a half and now I am fighting canker sores, I actually saw a PA today cause the pain is unbelievable. She gave me some prescription ointment which I will fill tomorrow.

Even with all of the difficulties, I am excited to see the changes and am not giving up. I have waited a long time for this!!!

[18monther]

Congrats! The results will be awesome.

[Sunny]

Welcome to this forum and I hope everything goes well for you!

Sorry to read about your mouth sores. Make sure you keep well hydrated and rinse 5+ times a day with warm salt water to help heal your mouth and soothe it.

You sound like you've got a great attitude and that really does seem to help!

Good luck!

[NotParis]

Thanks to both of for the encouragement. I did salt water rinses and peroxide/water rinses and it really seemed to help. The pain is almost gone, now just hoping that it stays away.