Daughter is going to go mad - braces!

[Anonymousemouses]

My daughter's dentist referred her to an orthodontist a few years ago, due to a tooth growing in her soft palate.

She was seen last year, then they referred her to hospital for removal.

She had the tooth out a few months ago.

She went back to the orthodontist for a check-up and they said that as her top teeth are right now, she wouldn't qualify for braces on the NHS, however they fought as she had this molar growing in the palate and somehow got funding.

Her top teeth are lovely and straight (apparently the only issue is they stick very slightly forward, not enough to count on the NHS, nor can I see them, apparently it's more noticeable on X-rays.

Her bottom teeth, however, are overcrowded.

She was unsure at the appointment, but I kind of felt rail-roaded, but told her to consider it carefully and we'd discuss at the next appointment.

She also wanted to choose the colour at the next appointment - which is when I assumed they'd take moulds and address the need for teeth removal on her bottom set.

However I've just been reminded of our appointment tomorrow, when they will be fitting the braces. I literally had no idea. I've been sent a list of special hygiene stuff I will need to buy, plus hygienist appointments every three months (which I literally cannot afford).

She's 15 next month and I'm really worried as she's got her mocks in September.

She's also going to go back to school for lunch tomorrow and I have no idea what she can eat.

FWIW I have terrible teeth. I had 6 teeth removed, then my teeth filled in the gaps, but my top left tooth still overlaps the right - a lot! My canine also cover the teeth between the front and canines. I was told I'd have to have more removed, but they didn't want to as I'd have so little left (this was in the mid 80s). Her teeth are lovely and straight at the top, it's the bottom that need addressing, but I can't see how as they're so crowded.

I'm struggling from your post to grasp what the worries are - but be reassured loads of other kids her ages have fixed braces. She's not unique or individual in that regard!

Your post is hard to follow but if she hasn't had impressions taken yet, then how on earth can they be fitting a brace tomorrow? It sounds like the reminder email has incorrect details on it.

Sorry it was stream of consciousness.

I thought she would have had moulds, but they sent two messages both about getting braces tomorrow.

They took lots of pictures of her teeth, including with an x-ray gun, so maybe they use that instead of moulds?

They don't do moulds anymore, it's done with the pictures. Very high tech!

That sounds very odd to me. I'd actually ring the surgery to clarify.

Yes, if they scanned her teeth with a wand type thing they will have created a 3d printed mould of her teeth using that scan

Ah thanks. That's useful to know. I just remember how much I used to gag on the mould putty stuff!

Yes my dd's orthodontist didn't do moulds - they also had some fancy camera thing that they sort of swooshed round her mouth.

We didn't have to buy anything special though - just one of those teeny toothbrushes to get in under the tracks. We also weren't told we need a hygienist. Her big sister didn't either. Maybe hold off on worrying about that until her next dental appt?

She should still be able to choose the colours though. They ask that at every check up, they don't seem to need to know in advance as they have a drawer full of the little colourful bits.

I can only sympathise with you. My child's teeth was I thought borderline for braces, as fairly straight but misaligned between top and bottom. After the orthodontist appointment we were told they needed twin block braces to realign their jaw, and we had to get them fitted within the next few weeks or basically not at all for NHS funding, then braces after that. Bit the bullet and went ahead and I can honestly say it was the best thing ever. Teeth so lovely now. In this age of social media just look to the future and how lovely your daughter's teeth will look.

Braces are not really that big a deal. My DS had top and bottom braces for close to a year and he was really unbothered by them. She can just eat soft food at school like the inside of a baked potato or soup. I bought lots of soft food for my DS but it ended up he didn’t really need it as his mouth wasn’t that sore. By the time her mocks come round in Sept she’ll be totally used to her braces. Loads of kids have them-they are really common.

Thank you all.

She has since come home and hit the roof! She wants to wait until after her birthday as she won't be able to eat cake 🙄.

I've told her that she has them tomorrow, or she will have to pay as an adult. She says she's perfectly happy with her top teeth, but not the bottom, but I told her they won't just do the bottom and she's lucky to get it now, as she'll be too old to qualify for free treatment soon.

I guess I just needed to hear that it's the right thing, despite her anger over it.

I guess its the lack of discussion that's the problem here, you thought you could talk about it, and now it's being done without that conversation. I'd be hacked off.

But then I've never for given my lying bastard dentist for offering me a brace or 4 teeth out. I went for 4 teeth out under general anaesthetic and the git still made me wear a brace, albeit removable. 34 years on I still hope he shits hedgehogs.

Make sure you buy the wax - her lips will take a short minute to adjust to having the braces, and the ulcers can get sore quickly without it.
She'll be fine. They usually cause the most discomfort after fitting and adjustment. Usually when they're fitted they don't tighten them much. If they have to twist a tooth or really relocated it, then that area might be more uncomfortable for longer. But it's nothing a soft diet, painkillers wont get her through.
These will be well settled by September but never book an adjustment before an exam. It's miserable doing exams with achy teeth.

She can still eat cake with braces on?

Yeah she should be fine to eat cake. My DD seems to need special soft food for meals but manages chocolate funnily enough!!

Do not underestimate how upset she is now. When she gets there tomorrow, if she is still tense and angry then she will be in no mood to listen to the care advice given. You can see it is in her long term interests, but it's her who will be suffering the pain and discomfort. and not you. I went through it all and if I'm honest, I'm not completely convinced it was really necessary or to my benefit. It certainly didn't enhance my confidence so be careful why you are persuading her into this.

Thank you, I will see how she is tomorrow, when we get there.

I didn't realise braces were an option until the last appointment, when they'd taken her off, did the photos, then called me in and said they'd managed to get her funding for them and arranged this appointment.

I wasn't with her when she had the scans taken, they took her off and I just thought it was to check on the tooth that was removed, it was literally when he called me after that he told me.

I had braces till I was 19 the 4 later years train tracks, better to get them sooner than later so she can get them off, my friend got hers off the day before I got mine, I was v upset. I still ate cake though, wasn’t allowed chewing gum or hard sweets etc I found my mouth really sore after getting the braces on or adjusted so would make sure I had paracetamol etc. I would make sure she eats before getting them on then brush teeth prior to appointment which I what I used to do.

my son also had braces, they are off now and his teeth are lovely, it was a bit of a slog and they were on longer due to Covid but worth it in the long run. I’m sure she will be fine, just remind her how lovely her teeth will be, and it’ll be worth it even if it’s tough now. She’s not alone, I also had oral surgery so wasn’t fun but happy with my nice even bite, and straight teeth now.

I'm on my third ds having braces. It is only sore for about three days after having them fitted. After that they may or may not rub and she will need the wax if they do but again it doesn't last long and they may not rub. You can choose a new colour with every wire tightening so she can changer her mind about colour. She will only have one set fitted at a time now so probably just the bottom ones tomorrow. Ds13 had his top brace fitted last Wednesday and was fine by saturday. None if mine needed a hygienist.

Thank you all, you've all really helped. I was just confused when I got the message as they only mentioned braces at the last appointment then sent the info today.

They sent me a video today, to watch before tomorrow, where they said you need a special toothbrush, special toothpaste, special interdental brushes, special tufty brush, disclosing tablets, special mouthwash and dental hygienist appointments every three months, which kind of scared me.

Thanks again.

Sorry I forgot my major concern - her teeth didn't develop properly and have a honeycomb texture, which means she has to have fluoride applied every dentist appointment, my worry is whether having braces on those parts of her teeth, stopping fluoride from being applied, will increase the chances of decay?

My sons got braces and has grown to love them, not fun when first fitted as it’s painful , so have some paracetamol to hand. I’d definitely encourage it as it’s very costly and time consuming aiming as an adult.

Oh and they did one set at a time which was good not both together.

I had train tracks 25 years ago. Never saw a hygienist. Had no stains or marks once they were off.

No, the bits with the brackets on won’t be exposed to bacteria. She’ll have to carefully brush between the brackets, however. There’s a tiny brush for this. Mouthwash liberally too