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Teenagers

Braces- I need info!

34 replies

spudmasher · 07/01/2013 19:13

So if your teen has braces....

  1. How painful are they?
  2. How willingly does your teen clean them?
  3. How self conscious were they at first having them fitted?


Also, does anyone know if the ceramic/ clear braces would be a choice on NHS? DD qualifies for NHS treatment so can that offset any cost? DD age 14 is a working actor- would that be taken into account at al? ( predicting no- hard times etc)
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spudmasher · 07/01/2013 19:35

Bump

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WildThong · 07/01/2013 19:54

spud
Ds 14 has just had his removed after 2 years. Initially there was some discomfort and soreness for 3 or 4 days, and he could only manage soft food like soup, porridge etc. After that there was 1 day of discomfort every time they were checked and adjusted/tightened. Ibruprofen and calgel were good for this.
He didnt feel self concious at all, so many of his friends also have them, and I think they all enjoyed choosing different colours each time. There was no alternative types offered (Scottish and all ortho treatments were free until recently but no invisalign just the standard kind)
I must say his teeth are beautiful, very straight and strong. You can buy little mini brush things for cleaning in between wires and teeth and in addition to that we paid for a couple of hygienist appointments to make sure they were cleaned properly, well worth it. HTH

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spudmasher · 07/01/2013 19:58

Thank you. That's great advice re. hygienist.
Cal gel also a good tip. I'm bracing myself for the complaining ( pardon the pun!)

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Sparklingbrook · 07/01/2013 20:02

Hi Spud DS1 is 13 and has had the train track ones since July. It's on the NHS, he does get to choose the colours but no alternatives offered.

He uses the Tepe brushes and my Waterpik to clean it, and Orthodontist says he's doing a good job. I have forgotten he's got them and to a certain extent so has he.

Biggest PITA is the 6 weekly adjusting, and trying to get the appointment without missing school.

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Sparklingbrook · 07/01/2013 20:03

Oh and he misses chewy sweets, crusty bread and uncut up fruit. Sad

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spudmasher · 07/01/2013 20:05

Thank you Sparklingbrook......Waterpik???? The mind boggles.....I'm off to google that!

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spudmasher · 07/01/2013 20:05

Thank you Sparklingbrook......Waterpik???? The mind boggles.....I'm off to google that!

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Sparklingbrook · 07/01/2013 20:10

I have this one from Boots. It basically a jet that blasts anything out from between teeth. It has a head for braces. My hygienist was raving about them, it gets to places floss can't.

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landofsoapandglory · 07/01/2013 20:13

DS1(18) has had his fixed appliances on for over 3 years, but his were quite complicated. We are on the final stretch now. He has had very little pain. He has always accepted that if he wanted nice, straight teeth he would have to have a bit of discomfort to get them. He has never complained, or taken as much as a Paracetamol even when they have put the new wires in.

He is excellent at cleaning his teeth. He uses a child's toothbrush to do them, we did try his electric one but he preferred a manual. The Orthodontist has always been impressed with his oral hygiene. DS1 just gets on with it, he doesn't want to go through all this only to end up with cavities or gum disease.

DS1's braces are dealt with in hospital, but DS2 had braces done at an NHS Orthodontic practice. His were on just over a year. We were told the NHS only pay for the metal brackets. I very much doubt you would get anything else TBH, and I doubt the fact that your DD is an actors would make any difference either.

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bruffin · 07/01/2013 20:16

My dd got hers last august on nhs. She insists on black ones.
First week sore mouth, but sorted with abusol and wax.
Wires get changed every 6 weeks which are painful for a day or so.
We bought her disclosure tablets to make sure she cleans properly.

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WildThong · 07/01/2013 20:17

Also interested in the waterpik, you may have started something sparkling

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spudmasher · 07/01/2013 20:19

It really does look good doesn't it?
I quite fancy it for myself.....tell me, Sparklingbrook ( I shall rename you Sparklingteeth) what if your teeth are a bit sensitive, might it make them tingle? Is it a bit cold?

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Sparklingbrook · 07/01/2013 20:20

Grin I was a bit sceptical, but once you get used to it, it is quite satisfying Wild. You would be amazed what gets blasted out even after teeth cleaning. And I did spray the bathroom a few times accidentally.

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spudmasher · 07/01/2013 20:20

Wax Bruffin??? A special sort I presume? Applied to gum/ lip or the metal itself?

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bruffin · 07/01/2013 20:21

Also its nhs or private you cant offset kne against the other.
We hsd to wait for ages to get dd seen. Ee offered to pay private for initial consultation. We were told if we did that we would have to carry on with private.

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Sparklingbrook · 07/01/2013 20:21

I used cold water once spud it was awful. Warm water is the way to go.

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saycheeeeeese · 07/01/2013 20:22

Im currently undergoing invisalign treatment but im not a teen Grin

Happy to answer any questions about those :)

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NatashaBee · 07/01/2013 20:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

WynkenBlynkenandNod · 07/01/2013 20:24

DD had a functional appliance for a year which was very hard going at the beginning. She's just turned 14 and now has train tracks since September ( off for tightening tomorrow) which are a walk in the park.

I think she rather likes them now and they don't effect her speech as the others did. She's in a routine with her brushing and she's not self conscious as lots of people at school have them. A fair bit of pain with the functional ones but not a lot with the train tracks. Am also interested in the Waterpik!

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bruffin · 07/01/2013 20:24

Its dental wax you put on the metal to stop the metal rubbing on the inside of the cheeks.

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spudmasher · 07/01/2013 20:25

Thought so Bruffin. DD is pretty devastated as it will mean no work probably for as long as she has the brace. I have suggested she uses her earnings to pay. She has suggested that will mean she will have to live at home for longer as she will have to save longer for the deposit on a flat.........oh god. Train tracks it is bless her.
And a Waterpik!!!!!

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spudmasher · 07/01/2013 20:27

Natashabee, DD also has to have teeth out- 4 altogether. How soon after extraction did they fit the brace?? Sending DH for that appointment. I will stay at home and rock gently in a corner.

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spudmasher · 07/01/2013 20:28

Wynken, good news that they don't affect speech so much. Will tell DD as that is something she was worried for- she may still get the odd VoiceOver!

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Sparklingbrook · 07/01/2013 20:34

DS1 had two teeth out, he is a bit of a stresser at the best of times but he was fine. The worst bit of the whole thing for him was having the impressions/mould taken, he said it felt like he was gagging and couldn't breathe. Sad

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purpleroses · 07/01/2013 20:52

DSD2 (12) has had hers for the last year. She was v anxious beforehand but they've been fine. She does need reminding/nagging to clean them though. DP paid privately for his DD1 to have the clear type of brace (her teeth were less bad than DSD2 so she didn't qualify under NHS). He was prepared to do the same for DSD2 but was told the clear ones weren't actually as effective.

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