Getting braces tomorrow!

[Wallflower]

Hello!
I'm getting ceramics on my lower teeth put on tomorrow. I'm 28 and have wanted them for so long, but now I'm worried that I'll regret it all!

I know that straight teeth is what I want and I know that it'll all be so worth it in the end, but the duration of the treatment is what has put me off for so long! I just hope that everything goes well tomorrow and I won't hate how I look.

Sorry if I sound really superficial! I feel like I've been waiting to get braces for so long and now I feel silly for worrying about how I'll look.

Anybody else have pre-brace jitters?

[coconut]

It's completely normal to have misgivings before the big day. Most (if not all) people won't care about your braces/how you look. The time will fly and before you know it, you'll be done. Good luck.

[MCOMarkhamOrthodontist]

Congratulations on taking the plunge. Just be sure that your top teeth aren't hitting any of the ceramic braces on the bottom when you bite down. Ceramic braces have a tendency to abrade the enamel of an opposing tooth.

Good luck!

[Melody]

Congrats, Wallflower!

As Coconut said, it's normal to have some qualms about the length of the treatment when starting out, but it really does fly by.

Good luck!

[Denise]

I am 30 and just had ceramic braces put on almost two weeks ago and I was terrified. I was worried about how I'd look, how I'd talk, whether it would hurt or not. (I'm a worrier!). And I won't lie, it's not fun. For me, the first 8 days was horrible, with lots of tooth pain and sensitivity. But, now my lips are used to the feel of the braces, and I'm learning how to eat and talk and the pain is 98% gone. I have days where I wonder if this is even worth it. But I know that each day I have them is one day closer to a fabulous end result, and really a year and a half- two years isn't that bad when you consider some people have to wear them for even longer, and at older ages when their teeth may be even more sensitive and move even slower than ours. So, I think you have a right to be nervous but remember that you are doing this for you and your health!

[Sunny]

Great your starting your treatment Wallflower.

For some people it can be a shock when they first see the brackets on their teeth and even though the brackets looked nice when they were shown to you, they can look scary when they're on your teeth. They may feel huge and sometimes uncomfortable for a while ... but this will pass. Be proactive and make sure you use generous amounts of wax on any brackets that rub the inside of your mouth. Keep this wax on when eating, as this will help your mouth toughen without getting sores. Rinse with warm salt water to help soothe your mouth. Keep yourself well hydrated, as this helps the your mouth cope with these foreign objects. Keep your lips well moistened (lip balm) to keep your lips feeling good and from drying.

Most important, focus on why you're doing this. You don't have to! No one has died from having crooked teeth or a bad bite ... so there is a healthy reason as to why you've chosen to get your teeth/bite treated! Be positive about your decision and grateful that you have the resources to be able to do this!

Good luck!

[Wallflower]

Most important, focus on why you're doing this. You don't have to! No one has died from having crooked teeth or a bad bite ... so there is a healthy reason as to why you've chosen to get your teeth/bite treated! Be positive about your decision and grateful that you have the resources to be able to do this!

Good luck!

Thanks everyone for the positive replies! I needed it! I've only told 1 or 2 friends about it and was panicking last night.
I got the braces put in today and although it was a bit of a shock I got used to them pretty quickly. And I really don't thnk it shows when I talk, which is great

I'm glad I've finally got the treatment started! I can't wait til the end result!

[Sunny]

Fantastic Wallflower and it's totally normal to feel the way you did.

I only told my husband and two adult children I was starting orthodontic treatment ... and nearly four years later ... they're still the only people I've told. A few people (outside work) have asked me about treatment ... but less than 10. Until my husband became sick last year, we lived a busy social life and having braces has never prevented me from doing anything ... and never will!

I'm confident that a lot of how we cope with our treatment is about our attitude! Good luck with your treatment!