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Original poster

Help dd has just had braces fitted

65 replies

MegCleary · 03/02/2022 17:33

And she is in shock. She hates how she looks, how it feels is & in tears.
We thought we had prepped her but apparently not.
They are straightforward train tracks. Any tips??

OP posts:
Teaforme123 · 03/02/2022 17:44

Oh dear. Just keep explaining that they will be worth it in the end. How old is she? I had train tracks for 3 years, they do hurt to start with, and take some getting used to but after a while she'll hopefully forget they're there. My orthodontist used to get us to choose different colours for them, do they still do that?

FindingMeno · 03/02/2022 17:48

Tell her that lots of adults would love to have their teeth straightened but can't afford it, so to seize the chance while she can, and while she'll be in good company because plenty of her friends will have them.

Bigfathairyones · 03/02/2022 17:48

Poor lass. They can also give her a stonking headache for a long while too. Just remind her of how utterly fabulously straight her teeth will be afterwards. I speak as the mum of one who had 'twin blocks' (braces and then some) before the actual braces and dd2 was in severe pain with them. She did get used to it quickly though and within a week was entirely unbothered. Fast forward 18 months (as she had 9 months of each) and her teeth are incredible - well worth the discomfort.

Lellochip · 03/02/2022 17:49

I had major "what have I done??" feelings after getting my brace - I think it's common when it feels like such a massive change to your appearance. Tell her she'll get used to it really quickly and the end result will be so worth it!

Nomicron · 03/02/2022 17:51

Make sure she’s got plenty of pain relief-they are pretty painful for the first day or so.
If she’s self conscious maybe she could wear a mask for school until she gets more used to them. Lots are still wearing masks here almost as a fashion accessory!

DontKeepTheFaith · 03/02/2022 17:52

Oh it’s horrible at first. Brace wax helps with the sore bits, soft foods for a few days, they get used to it very quickly.

Ds1 had braces and he always struggled with change and new things. He wanted them but if he’d been able to remove them, they would have been off and binned!

He got through it, first few days were tough but he got used to them and his teeth are amazing now. So beautifully straight and even.

Good luck

Sideswiped · 03/02/2022 17:53

Did the orthodontist give her wax? It can help a lot with comfort.

Original poster
MegCleary · 03/02/2022 17:56

She says they’re not too sore (which makes me worry they’re not tight enough!).
Thanks for the reassurance, I thought we had explained it enough. Feel so guilty.
I think she thought they would be ‘clear’. Tips on food appreciated

OP posts:
Bussinbussin · 03/02/2022 17:57

It's a miserable few days but it will pass quickly!

Paracetamol, cool soft food (be indulgent here!), wax.

Any of her friends who already have them should be able to reassure her that the feeling improves quickly and that braces are worth it.

SingingSands · 03/02/2022 18:00

Following with interest as my DS is being fitted with braces (too and bottom) tomorrow. I've tried to explain it all to him, but I think the shock of seeing them actually on his teeth will knock him a bit.

I've stocked up on paracetamol, soft food and secret ice cream for this weekend.

Original poster
MegCleary · 03/02/2022 18:14

@SingingSands show him decent pics. I thought dd had seen some but she was looking at clear ones. She was honestly shaking in the chair when she seen them and it was done

OP posts:
Eddie16 · 03/02/2022 19:21

I had braces at 20, should have had them when I was a teenager but didn't do what the orthodontist told me, (removed at 24) they are painful to start with but lots of soft foods,ice cream and paracetamol. I also used vasealine, just a touch when I ran out of brace wax to help with moving my lips over them and a small hand mirror to check for any stray bits of food. I used to also have different colour elastic when they changed those.
I'm now 38 and have beautiful teeth, do it now rather than later, I wish I had done as I was told rather than suffer embarrasent during my 20s. Good luck 👍

gunnersgold · 03/02/2022 19:29

Tell her she is lucky she had parents who care , I woke with adults with shocking teeth who obviously didn't get taken to the orthodontist when they were teens . Teeth are everything in her generation! She will be grateful but they do chuffing hurt for a good week before they calm down ( or until the next tightening!

TeenPlusCat · 04/02/2022 07:04

How old is she? I'm guessing relatively young if she didn't know what they would look like?
My DD1 was one of the first in her year to get braces fitted, but a year later loads more had them done. Hers were gone before y11 started, whereas others still had them at prom (so a much bigger deal!)

LefttoherownDevizes · 04/02/2022 07:11

DS is about to have his first tightening after getting them in December.

It is a shock at first, and took a few days for the ulcers etc to start. He's also had to completely readjust how he eats which none of us realised. Baguettes and anything vaguely crunchy are out.

I think once they are used to how they look and can eat a bit more easily it really helps. In the meanwhile the Aldi baby food and fromage frais pouches were a life saver.

Original poster
MegCleary · 04/02/2022 07:40

Very tearful this morning and last night says confidence goneSad. Was happy with how she looked and not that bothered about her teeth.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 04/02/2022 07:43

Was she thinking of Invisalign retainers rather than train tracks? My dd had braces for just over 2 years I think. Had to have teeth out for them as well. Her teeth are lovely now

TeenPlusCat · 04/02/2022 07:51

How old is she?

knackeredmumoftwo · 04/02/2022 07:51

As soon as she goes to school and her friends reassure her she will be fine.

There is only so much prep you can do and it's sadly part of life's lessons that they have to learn.

With mine I had an opt out - she wanted them but hates them and they do hurt when they start to realign jaws etc - is that she can have them off - we are 6 months in now and it's still a struggle with eating, appetite etc - the things she liked she can't eat easily and it's a faff having to clean them after most meals - but she has adjusted to them - it's tough but they will get there - sending you a hug

Original poster
MegCleary · 04/02/2022 07:55

Shes 14 thanks for the hug, am needing it. She was so excited to get them but now omg

OP posts:
TeenPlusCat · 04/02/2022 07:57

If half her friends haven't already got them, they soon will.
My DDs used to enjoy choosing the coloured elastic bands.

Sausagedogsarethebest · 04/02/2022 07:58

You may not be through the worst of the initial days yet OP, because the teeth usually start hurting a bit, eating is uncomfortable, and the braces can rub their mouth and gums as they get used to them. My DD used to eat ice cream, well cooked pasta and anything very soft after they were fitted or tightened.

Your DD won't see the benefit of the braces at the moment, but she will later. My DD had awfully misaligned teeth and a receding bottom jaw which took several year,s and contraptions much worse than train track braces to fix. Now she has the most beautiful smile with perfectly aligned teeth. It's a horrible time for them to go through, especially as social media makes kids so self conscious about their looks. You have to try and get them to see the bigger picture, and how happy she'll be in a year or so when she has that dazzling smile. Maybe Google some pics of celebrities before and after having braces, so that she can see that even the stars have been through the pain of braces.

Graceymac99 · 04/02/2022 08:01

I could have written this. My 13 yo dad got braces fitted a couple of weeks ago. They are all over the place as her teeth are and very painful for the first few days. The appearance will change as the teeth move into place as the braces will become straighter. Nothing I said about their appearance made a difference but then her friends told her they look really cool and she is delighted! They will all be getting them too.

Graceymac99 · 04/02/2022 08:02

DD not dad!

Original poster
MegCleary · 04/02/2022 10:26

Do ye know of anyone who has had them taken off?

OP posts: