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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Adult braces

54 replies

MoragWilson · 02/03/2017 10:14

Having adult braces fitted later today - train track type, top and bottom. AIBU to ask if anyone can offer some guidance on how to cope immediately after and in the few days after fitting.

Thinking I'll need to modify what I eat, maybe how i speak? Will I be in pain/discomfort? What helps? What doesn't?

I know I ABU to post on AIBU but my nerves have brought me here Grin Thats me with my lovely straight teeth, by the way.

OP posts:
tasmaniandevilchaser · 02/03/2017 10:20

i hated the first two weeks of having a brace and was totally horrified what I had done to myself!! If I could have taken them off I would have done it in a flash. It did get better but it would have been good to know beforehand!
I had a cross bite so after the few appts I did need soft food as the teeth pulled in
I rarely took painkillers but everyone is different so I would have some available just in case
Have you got your travel toothbrush etc? I recently got some Teepee brushes, they are brilliant
Good luck! Bring on the beautiful straight teeth!!

tasmaniandevilchaser · 02/03/2017 10:22

Just one other thought - drinking wine helped! Grin And eating slowly, I didn't really feel like going out for a meal or eating in public as it did take some getting used to but you may feel fine about that

DearMrDilkington · 02/03/2017 10:24

Take some paracetamol before your appointment, it's quite uncomfortable getting them fitted and even worse once they are tightened!

Soup will be best to eat for a while, but be careful about the heat of it. My teeth were so sensitive to anything hot or cold when I had braces.

It's not a fun time I'm afraid, but the finishing result will be worth itGrin.

Good luck!

tasmaniandevilchaser · 02/03/2017 10:25

Just one more thought! I lisped a bit for the first week or so and again I was totally horrified but as I got used to them in my mouth it passed and I speak normally again now
Sorry don't mean to alarm you!! I've had them a year now and my teeth look great, just closing up the gaps

tasmaniandevilchaser · 02/03/2017 10:28

Yes I agree with mrd- the fitting was 45 mins with my mouth opened wide with a plastic mould type thing - not the most comfortable experience for your jaw
Whenever my teeth hurt I just thought this is my teeth getting straighter, but I've never found the pain too bad, apart from when my cross bite teeth clashed

Justanothernameonthepage · 02/03/2017 10:29

Have some smoothies ready!

fruityb · 02/03/2017 10:30

They're sore for a few days after so some painkillers may help. Get the interdental brushes to go between the wires when cleaning and just have soft food for a few days. Keep the wax sticks they give you handy in case any bits rub.

Justanothernameonthepage · 02/03/2017 10:40

Oh and it will feel so weird for the first 48 hours. But you'll get used to then really quickly. I had them for 7 months (off last month) and still feel slightly weird no longer having them

msannabella · 02/03/2017 10:44

I had adult braces too. I agree with pp, sore at first and after tightenings. The lisp made me a bit self conscious but nobody really noticed it except me and it went very quickly once I was used to the extra stuff in my mouth. I had braces as a child and an adult when my teeth went back to their old position and I'd say easier as an adult as you know they're doing you good. Just think about the end product! Grin

tasmaniandevilchaser · 02/03/2017 10:45

Oh yes don't scrimp on the wax, they will rub.

MackerelOfFact · 02/03/2017 11:19

I currently have braces in my 30s, fitted metal (brackets and wires) top and bottom. It hurts far less than it did in my teens, which is surprising!

The worst bit for me is the wire digging into my cheeks (this is worse at the start of treatment as your teeth move more quickly so there is more overhang, and also the wire is thinner and therefore sharper). Use the wax and keep some spare in your handbag/desk/car/bedside table.

The other annoying thing for me is having constant dry lips. I don't know if it's just me, but the bulk from the brace means my lips don't meet well and my lips get very dry very quickly.

The pain for me has been very bearable, I haven't even had to take ibuprofen except in the first 24 hours. TBH I was looking forward to eating a bit less and losing a bit of weight like I did when my wisdom teeth came out, but nope, no problems eating whatsoever!

MackerelOfFact · 02/03/2017 11:23

Oh, another tip, I've found that toothbrushes designed for toddlers are best to use with braces. The bristles are soft and the head is small, so it gets around the brackets easily without doing any damage. Or you can buy special orthodontic ones for three times the price.

GetAHaircutCarl · 02/03/2017 11:25

I had them several years ago.

Not too bad. Get some wax to put over the sharp bits so they don't run the inside of your mouth and cheeks. You can buy it at the orthodontist.

elpinguino · 02/03/2017 11:38

Yes to all of the things mentioned so far - paracetamol just before orthodontist visits so it's working on the way home, lots of wax for bits that rub, softer foods for first few days after an adjustment (have steak the night before you go - you won't be able to have it again for a while after!). I'll also second the tipi brushes - great for getting around the bits of bracket and between the teeth. I used to keep a stash of toothpicks in my bag if I was going out to dinner too - quick pop to the bathroom to discreetly get rid of the bits of food stuck in the brace without having to take a full tooth brushing kit on a night out (obviously a proper good brush when you get home). I had braces for 3 years aged 30-33, and a big operation towards the end of the treatment that has left one side of my lip numb. Still would do it again tomorrow, I love my straight teeth.

VeryBitchyRestingFace · 02/03/2017 11:42

I had a cross bite so after the few appts I did need soft food as the teeth pulled in

Did the braces alone fix the crossbite?

Original poster
MoragWilson · 02/03/2017 11:46

Oh dear.......

.......but it will be worth it (repeats)

l'll get a children's toothbrush; presume I shouldn't use an eletric toothbrush? And some soup.

OP posts:
fruityb · 02/03/2017 11:47

Don't worry about your toothbrush - an electric one is best as it'll keep them clean and won't hurt as they're gentle enough.

fruityb · 02/03/2017 11:48

And I had surgery and metalwork in my 30s as well as teens and don't regret it at all. I am ten million times more confident!

GummyBunting · 02/03/2017 11:50

It is all worth it in the end, and an added bonus I experienced was a bit of weight loss due to not eating as much/ eating just soups and smoothies!

tasmaniandevilchaser · 02/03/2017 12:37

Oh I wish I was losing a bit of weight!!

Verybitchy- yes the braces have fixed my cross bite, I had one tooth sticking out and it was pushing the tooth above out of place. They're both nice and straight now, it took about 7 ish months to straighten and now they're closing the gaps where they removed teeth.

msannabella · 02/03/2017 12:41

You can use your electric toothbrush but for the first few days and whenever they're tightened it might be a bit sore to use it cos of the sensitivity so a soft toothbrush would be a help so you can at least brush a little.

Mingewithafringe · 02/03/2017 12:53

I also lost weight, I found eating so uncomfortable! I had to break down everything into bite size pieces, felt like a child when eating in front of other people. I got some Fortisip milkshakes in the end to ensure I didn't become deficient in any key nutrients

ScrumpyBetty · 02/03/2017 12:56

Off topic but how did you go about getting braces as an adult? My teeth are terribly crooked, I would like braces too, but presume I would have to go to a private dentist?
Anyway, good luck!

adsincroydon · 02/03/2017 14:41

I am considering having braces fitted so good to hear your experiences. I'm nervous about the whole idea and being an adult with braces. It is cool as a kid, but not sure how it will look on an adult!?

VeryBitchyRestingFace · 02/03/2017 14:54

Verybitchy- yes the braces have fixed my cross bite, I had one tooth sticking out and it was pushing the tooth above out of place. They're both nice and straight now, it took about 7 ish months to straighten and now they're closing the gaps where they removed teeth

Ah, sounds like it was just the one tooth?

I've been told I'll probably need the full nine yards - at the advanced age of very late 30s. Sad