So i'm standing!

[cantwaittosmile]

Hey all,

First thanks so much for the feedback from all of you who, so quickly, replied. Sunny I catch myself clicking on posts just to see what insight you are giving out just to see how beneficial it WILL be to me! So thanks for keeping our ortho questions a top priority!

So I did it! I had my braces slapped on Thursday April 27th 2010! I was pretty nervous about the whole idea, but once I got in there and they slapped 'Grease' in the DVD player, hooked the suction up to my tongue I was out. I FELL ASLEEP! I think it had helped that I had exhausted myself the week prior on the internet reading all I could about what to expect. Well, whatever it was I am soooo happy I did it.

I will admit that my teeth, prior to having braces, had a funny way of being crooked but looked somewhat straight so when they glued the braces on the exact middle of my teeth the wire had to become bent so it really defined the crookedness of my teeth. All to change in about 3 months I hope!?!

No pain at all since they have been put on. Having to stuff wax in 2 spots in my mouth. I didn’t use the wax for the first 3 days to allow the cuts to form in hopes it will hurry the healing and toughing process. Went to a concert, sang my heart out, had a girl tell me my braces were, "Fly", and then woke up the next morning with sliced up cheeks and more spots to use wax. Maybe rocking out wasn’t such a good idea. Ha-ha. All ok though.

Sorry so long. I've been taking pictures everyday and will be posting a video/ blog later on. Looking forward to the journey..... Let’s get it!

ohhhh and I almost forgot, should I be flossing between the bracets in the back?
And i drink A LOT of green gatorade... is that a problem for either clear braces or braces in general. I keep up with the cleanings and floride mouthwash pretty well...


Tom, 23- cantwaittosmile

[Denise]

Yay congrats on getting the braces Tom!! Glad to hear it's going well for you so far. Green gatorade huh, well that most likely won't stain the brackets, but clear ligs or powerchains it might. You should ask your ortho, I'm sure they are familiar with what stains and what doesn't. You could also just use a straw to keep it off your brackets too. You may think you look silly but anyone who thinks it's silly can go ahead and fork out the cash you are, for braces haha. Welcome!!

[Sunny]

Fantastic that this has gone so well for you Tom!

Not using wax in the beginning is a mistake some people make. It's a shame that more ortho's don't explain that by using wax you help your mouth to toughen without sores. No wax and the sores slow everything down, make your mouth sore, and then the new skin has to begin the toughening process all over again.

You need to floss between all teeth and behind your last molars. Flossing is about getting any 'buildup' away from just below the gum line and is essential for the health of our gums and for them to keep holding our teeth in place.

Gatorade is probably ok ... although not too much of it, due to the sugar and acid content in it. I'm not sure whether the colour will stain or not, as I don't know anyone who drinks green gatorade. To help with the sugar and acid you need to rinse your mouth thoroughly after each drink and don't brush for at least 30 minutes after finishing a bottle, although rinse with water as often as you can during that 30 minutes.

Keep up the great attitude and here's to you soon having the outstanding smile and bite you long for!