New to braces: is this normal?

[lightened]

Hello I am new to this forum.
I got braces on.. around September the 3rd or so.
When i went into for moldings my ortho told me I needed braces due to a couple of crooked teeth at the back... and than he said I had a slight over btie. other than that my teeth were straight...
I got 4 tooth remvoed because of too much teeth in my mouth.
SO far from what he says "everything is going perfectly" i don't think so.
I have like... 7 gaps in my mouth... around where i got teeth extracted and now I can totally see one forming in the middle of my bottom teeth.
is that normal?
I asked him how long will it take to wear braces he said approximately 2 years..
what does that mean?? By then I will be 18 because then it'd be September 2011.... and that's 2 years? No? I dont want to wear braces when i go off to university for my first year. I want to look HOT LOL SO I CAN BE THE HUGE FLIRTY I am and not feel so insecure and self-conscious. ugh..
He says i will wear rubber bands,.. so far i have been wearing powerchains for maybe 4 months. My next appointment - next week, he will be doing something different he says due to the satisfaction of how things are going.. :/


Honestly. I just want them off. They keep cutting my mouth.. i can hardly chew at random times of the month... my teeth get sore randomly.. i can't even put on lipgloss or laugh because certain wires at the back are cutting me.

My teeth aren't even that bad... I hope i get them off a little sooner.

How do you guys like your braces?

ps- AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT FEELS THRILLED TO LEARN THAT MY FRIENDS ARE GETTING BRACES NOW, OR 2 MONTHS FROM NOW?
I know braces are common for teenagers.. but I still want to look the best I can and i guess wearing braces will enhance my beauty even more. SO for that I am thankful..
r u guys happy with your results?

[flaurellaurel]

Aw, don't worry so much. Your orthodontist will make sure your teeth are perfect at the end! They aren't going to leave the gaps... they need to make space to move your teeth around. I always have random gaps. If there is anything you are worried about, you should ask your orthodontist about it and they will give you a good answer and help you for sure. Maybe just ask him/her what exactly they are going to be doing with your teeth and why?

Trust me, having braces in college isn't that bad. I'm 21 and in my 3rd year of college. Honestly, no one gives me trouble for having braces... people actually comment on how nice my teeth look already (and I've only had them on for 6 months) Don't let braces hurt your self-confidence, you'll still be hot with them on- if not HOTTER

As for the soreness, cuts, problems chewing/laughing/putting on lipgloss.... I have all of those issues and I agree it really sucks! I think it happens to everyone with braces and it's just something we have to suffer through unfortunately
What I do is take tylenol, use the wax on pokey wires, drink lots of smoothies and eat lots of soup! and always remember it won't be like that for long.

Anyways, good luck!!

[smylex]

I asked him how long will it take to wear braces he said approximately 2 years..
what does that mean?? By then I will be 18 because then it'd be September 2011.... and that's 2 years? No? I dont want to wear braces when i go off to university for my first year. I want to look HOT LOL SO I CAN BE THE HUGE FLIRTY I am and not feel so insecure and self-conscious. ugh..

First, you're 16. I remember what it was like being 16 and I do remember that time seemed to stand still and 2 years was close to an eternity. Trust me, once you hit 30, life will seem like it's been put in fast forward. I sometimes forget that we're almost 1/2 done with 2010 and that it was 20 years ago that I was stationed on the other side of the country while in the US Navy.

Also, if you don't think you can be hot with braces on, you're either just not trying or you're being too hard on yourself. Besides, you're not going to attract everyone - everyone has their different tastes. Hell, my girlfriend even finds me attractive for some reason.

[Denise]

First off, boy do I remember being 16 and yes, everything feels like an eternity at that age. No one likes having braces on, but remember that this isn't just cosmetic, this is for your health. When you get into elastics you're going to have more pain/discomfort and you'll probably not want to wear them....but my orthodontist said he has never seen anyone who wore their elastics all the time who has gone past their original quote time. So, for now do everything you possibly can to help the process along. Wear your elastics, be sure to brush a lot, oh and floss!! Buildup between teeth can hinder movement of your teeth as well so make sure they are clean! You will be stunned to see how many people in college have braces. I was 30 when I got mine and was mortified at the thought, until I got them. I can't believe how many adults have braces. At my work, I know of 3 others in my department alone who have them. The VP of my company has them, and he's in his 60's!! So no worries, be proud of your braces and proud that you're going to have healthy beautiful teeth for the rest of your life! .. oh and remember to wear your retainer, or you're almost guaranteed to be back in braces at 30 or 40 years old. No fun!!

[catgyrl]

I ditto everything everyone above has said. Be happy you're able to get braces at 16, when you're SUPPOSED to have them. Look at the rest of us old fogies here (well, me anyway). I'm 42 and just got mine. Thankfully, I look young to begin with, and look even younger with braces. (Smylex is right - you CAN be hot with braces! I wouldn't say I'm "hot", but I will definitely say "cute".) Smile like you always did before. I also got a tooth removed, and you know what? I've completely forgotten about it. I don't even notice it's not there (until I have to pick food out of the hole - haha!) Yes, they are a pain in the rear at times, but the end result will be SO worth it.

Dumb question alert: Why on earth can you not wear lipgloss? That's ALL I've been wearing since I got my braces because it helps keep your lips moist. Also, I like the way it shines next to my metal braces - everything's very sparkly! I can honestly say that, aside from the occasional adjustment pain and pokey wires, I really do like my braces!

Cheer up - Most girls with braces (especially young ones, like you) look adorable.

[lightened]

Yeah well I usually think guys don't like girls with braces.. But my boyfriend thinks I look so adorable and It adds onto my cute/sexy factor.
Maybe I am being a big baby...

I am thankful I have them. Time has alredy gone by fast.. My teeth are gapped but I've been getting loads of compliments of how straight my teeth look alreay ( although there IS a tooth at the bottom I can feel it is a lttle crooked even if it doesn't look like it)
maybe I am being a baby. I just want to look and feel the best I can when I am in uni in 2 years...
I am 17 now btw I turned 17 on January.. I prayyy I get them off in September 2011......

also my friend keeps bragging to me that he got her elastics earlier then me ( the second mind she had braces) yet she doesn't wear them...
I don't understand she doesn't wear them at all..
Isn't that going to hinder her treatment time? Her brother is STILL wearing his braces even though he was supposed to get them off 2 years ago - why? HE NEVER WEARS HIS ELASTICS

god if I get mine I'll wear them all the time..

[LatiasWindBlast]

Don't be so worried about braces. I'm 16 myself.
Really, they'll come off before you know it, time flies!
Elastics.. I had to wear them from month 9 till month 13 from my threatment. I'm now 16 months far, and they're supposed to come off soon. Really, just be patient, and the result will be amazing! (:

[lightened]

How long were you supposed to wear braces for?
I hope I can possibly get elastics next week but I still have gaps...
All my back teeth have straightened. I don't know what else he can possiby do,
I hope he does something very different because I am getting bored of him just changing my power chains.