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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask for positive stories about getting braces as an adult?

39 replies

TheMendedDrum · 06/08/2018 19:16

I've spent the past few days casually obsessively reading old threads about people who got braces as an adult and I'd like to hear more.

I got train tracks a few days ago and eating pretty much anything beyond yoghurt or soup is still fucking painful. My mouth aches. My teeth ache. I've yet to see any magical change to my teeth . It feels a bit like wearing too tight shoes all the time but in my mouth. Right now, if I could rip them out I would. I'm narky as could be because I can't really eat. I feel ridiculous because I look like a 13 Year old girl. And there's a minimum of 18 months to go .

Please tell me it gets better. And how to make it better beyond turning to drink?

TIA.

OP posts:
Aquamarine1029 · 06/08/2018 19:25

Your mouth will adjust, I promise. Just hang in there! I know several people who got braces as adults and all of them feel it was one of the best decisions they ever made. My grandma got braces at 54 and she was always so happy that she did. You've made an excellent decision!

Original poster
TheMendedDrum · 06/08/2018 19:28

That's encouraging... how long did your gran have them in for? did she hit the gin?

OP posts:
NamelessEnsign · 06/08/2018 19:31

I had braces at 30, and then a jaw surgery. You have my sympathies, but the first few days are the roughest, and it gets much easier. They’re horrible and eating is such a faff because of all the gathered food.

I’m still delighted that I did it, and I think my teeth were totally worth it - even the surgery bit!

Sweepouttheashes · 06/08/2018 19:32

I got them when I was 27, just wish I had done it as a teen and had more years enjoying my lovely straight teeth. The first week was dreadful but then my mouth adjusted and the braces weren’t uncomfortable anymore. Take painkillers at the recommended time period (eg every 4 hours or whatever the packet says). This will keep your pain window closed, i was able to control the pain just with panadol this way. They do take a bit of getting used to but soon they will be your new normal. I actually missed mine when they came off (and had spent the first week certain I had made a huge mistake). Thirteen years on I still look at my teeth every day and feel happy. I had a 1cm overbite.

CornforthWhite · 06/08/2018 19:32

I had them at 30 too. Best decision ever! Love my teeth. Time flies the pain will pass

Aquamarine1029 · 06/08/2018 19:34

My grandmother had them for 2.5 years.

Celestia26 · 06/08/2018 19:34

I had them as an adult. It takes a while to see change, but the discomfort and the wait is definitely worth it. I'm glad I got them!

Songsweusedtosing · 06/08/2018 19:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
TheMendedDrum · 06/08/2018 19:46

OK Songsweusedtosing - that's reassuring. I think I expected that everything would feel OK after a couple of days and I'm still sore after a week so am getting disheartened. A few weeks at first you reckon? I need to adjust my expectations.

Any good food tips? I'm really missing crunchy things. And chewy things. And, y'know, texture.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheMendedDrum · 06/08/2018 19:47

2.5 years Aqua?

OP posts:
Original poster
TheMendedDrum · 06/08/2018 19:47

Oh and more painkillers. Got it.

OP posts:
tazzle22 · 06/08/2018 19:53

I had mine starting at 51 followed by surgery to realign my jaw about 18 months later. Wore a retainer for couple years after but don't now.

The first few days/ weeks are the worst you will have as it's not just the pull on the teeth it's the tongue or cheeks catching on the wires. Dental wax is your saviour....order it on line...I got mine via eBay. Soften bits of it in your hand and put over the wires wherever it's rubbing. Keep wax with you at all times in case it's dislodged !

Eating can be weird too but it won't take that long to be off soup etc.... I dipped bread in soup to soften it to introduce it back into normal eating. Fish cakes were another favourite half way food.

There are some foods just too much trouble with braces but not many.

Food will get caught in the wires whenever you eat for the duration...toothbrush with you to use after every meal is a must imo.

It will be uncomfortable or even painful after each time wire tightened or moved but less so than you will be atm.

Good luck with your braces journey .

MorningsEleven · 06/08/2018 19:53

I was 29 and I cried every time they tightened the buggers. Worth it though.

Dontbugmemalone · 06/08/2018 20:03

Dont worry, the pain does subside. The first few days are the worst. Panadol helps a lot as well as eating soft food like soup and porridge.
I'm a year into having train tracks fitted on my upper and lower teeth. The first week was horrendous because I had 3 teeth removed and then the braces fitted.
I would recommend using dental wax and something called Iglu orthodontic gel which really helps with ulcers/rubbing on lips or cheeks. It will all be worth it.
My teeth became straight after a few weeks but my dentist thinks the work will take up to 18 months because I have a bad overbite to fix.
Also, I totally understand feeling like a teen, I have bad skin too which doesn't help. Most people don't notice or choose not to comment which helps to.
Hang in there OP.

tazzle22 · 06/08/2018 20:07

m.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-10-15-PCS-Dental-Orthodontics-Wax-For-Bracket-Gum-Irritation-Teeth/332683567300?hash=item4d757c60c4%3Am%3Am_oPO_JNb9prYeloXQnlsgQ&var=541811804657&_nkw=dental+wax&_from=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=p2380057.m4084.l1313.TR6.TRC2.A0.H0.Xdental+

You can get fruity flavoured ones too.

Other foods I can remember for the early days is lots variations of mashed potato...with cheese or gravy or corned beef or eggs or any other mashable food you like. Ice cream helped a bit with the cheeks ....

Bonjela is another friend

MarthaArthur · 06/08/2018 20:08

I had braces age 19-21. My teeth are very straight now. Took ages and i mean ages for the teeth to stop moving and aching. Im 27 now and they are lovely.

Original poster
TheMendedDrum · 06/08/2018 20:11

So about the dental wax thing. I was given some after the braces were fitted. I tried it a couple of times and got a waxy tongue for my trouble. Felt like it did the sum total of naff all. I guess I'm not doing it right? An I meant to roll it between my fingers til it's warm then?

OP posts:
dotdashdot · 06/08/2018 20:19

Braces for 18 month followed by jaw surgery here too and now wear a retainer every night. Definitely worth it and you do get used to it. I bought a water floss which was great as I could make sure there was no food stuck.

Songsweusedtosing · 06/08/2018 20:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

meikyo · 06/08/2018 20:25

I'm in my 50s and just past the 2 year mark.... estimated treatment time was originally 12-18 months but I had to have a couple of extractions for overcrowding and also had a broken wire which set me back about 3 months. I echo what PPs have said about the first few days being the worst. I am used to them now but still really dislike the feeling of eating with them and food being trapped! That said, I see a huge improvement in my teeth, with probably another 2 to 4 months to go. Wish I had done it when younger though. Good luck and hope you feel better soon. Anbesol is good for a sore mouth.

tazzle22 · 06/08/2018 20:26

Roll it between your fingers till it's soft Drum then press it firmly against the brackets on the teeth...two or three at a time best. It does take a time to get the hang...I swallowed quite a few dislodged bits till I got the hang of it. It's also best if you can get the area a bit dry...ie not having just drunk summat or rinsed mouth out from teeth cleaning....give it a no. Swallow a few times if needed to get rid of as much saliva then go for it!

There are quite a few forums that specialise in braces for adults too...a search will let you have a look see which are the most up to date. I found them.very supportive and knowledgeable.

CraftyGin · 06/08/2018 20:29

I got braces when I was 37. For the first two weeks, my diet was Slimfast and wine, then suddenly I could eat everything. It was weird that things like lettuce were unbearable.

Keep your eyes on the prize. It is all worth it. Also, if you want to lose weight, you will.

AveEldon · 06/08/2018 20:35

I had them as an adult - wish I'd done it sooner
It was totally worth it

Take painkillers and use the wax if you need to

TheCraicDealer · 06/08/2018 20:44

Had my bottom set done at 28- could do with the top ones in all honesty but I'm not going through the cost and expense again unless absolutely necessary, so I just got a fixed retainer behind them to stop them moving more.

Had them on just shy of a year and yes, the first few days are shit. Plenty of painkillers, soft food and wax.

I also found that when my mouth was really sore from the braces rubbing my anti-grinding mouth guard (£16 off Amazon) was a godsend during the night. The soft tissue in your mouth heals so quickly that when I woke it the morning it had pretty much recovered from the raw, sore feeling altogether until the next time. Good luck!

CitrusFruit9 · 06/08/2018 20:48

I had braces in my 40s. That and my laser eye surgery were the best things I have ever done. Hang on in there, it really is worth it. I recommend a water pik for helping to clean between the braces quickly and easily. I still use that and my ultrafloss 10 years on as my teeth never feel clean without them