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

[TheMendedDrum]

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.

Had a dental brace in my late forties, it was on for 18months. So, so pleased with the final result. So hang in there it gets much easier after the first week.

Yes some things were always odd to eat: clementines, the little bits hid in the metal work and wires. Spinach clung to the wires in a most unattractive way - awful.

I ordered the wax, and stocks of Tepe brushes etc online from Dental Direct.

I had mine early 20's. I'm now mid 30's
So worth the pain.

One thing I vividly remember is the state of my mouth after a night of drinking. It would be ripped to shreds. Don't know if I ground my teeth more or the alcohol did something but bloody hell.

Strongly recommend dental was. Get it very very warm.

I had braces at 24. They were on for 27 months but I now have lovely straight teeth so it totally worth it!

The first few weeks were hard going! Tightenings hurt but only for a couple of days.

Best foods for me were mashed potato with gravy, stew blended into a very thick soup, custard, jelly & ice cream!

Take painkillers, it'll be worth it I promise!

You are all lovely and these are exactly the kind of stories I asked for. But there's a bit of me that feels:

• I've brought this on myself. No one was making me get braces!
• really, is it going to work? I've just about reconciled to 18 months but all these stories of 2+ years are scaring me!

OP, I had braces in my teens & hated every minute of it at the time. As an adult, I have NEVER regretted having them, and am so glad I did. Hang in there. It'll be worth it in the end x

Hi OP!

I had braces when I was 17 and have now got them on again at 40 years old (1 month in).

I’ve only got top ones at the moment but will have bottom ones on at a later date. The pain went after a few days of careful eating and I can start to see improvement of my upper snaggletooth as I call it.

I decided to have mine done because hopefully I’ll have many more years with my own teeth and figured it was now or never.

It will absolutely be worth it. I’m taking photos every month to see my progress and to remind myself on the bad days.

I had a huge ‘what have a done moment’ when they were first on, but soon got used to them.

It's quite common to feel that way Drum no matter the reason.

I needed them done...should have had it done in my teens but dentist was grim !!!

If I hadn't done it then my bottom teeth were going to go from just making it hard to eat any thing solid.... because they were pressing on my gums behind top teeth ...to me actually losing otherwise healthy teeth in my 60's.

I also then needed surgery to slide my lower jaw forward.

In the great scheme of things if you want or need straighter teeth two years ain't that bad.... and that's only to shift teeth quite a way. ... it will soon feel so natural having them in.

Having started I would give it 4 to 6 weeks and see how you feel. ... it like being preggers really.... there's various yukky bits but the end result is worth it !

Thanks everyone. I'm deluding myself that I can see some movement today with my top front teeth being less overlapped. This has sparked hope that it might actually work! Still bloody painful though.

You might not be deluded- mine were really crooked and they moved super fast. I was done in 16 months and at least six of those were just letting the gums settle down.

I love mine now. They are t quite perfect (one of my front teeth is weirdly much thicker than the other!) but I’m still pleased!

I had ceramic train tracks put on a few months ago. Mouth is only just beginning to calm down.

It'll be worth it.

Don't worry too much about how long they need to be on. Once you get used to them you really will not care that much if it is 18 months or 2 years though I know that seems impossible now.

One tip for the future. When your braces do come off ask if you can have a permanent wire attached to the back of your teeth which acts as a full time retainer. It is totally inconspicuous an prevents your teeth moving. My DD and I both had this and have had no or very little movement in the years since. My DS did not and his teeth have moved a little although they are still much better than before.

At 33. Yes, it aches every adjustment but you do get used to it. 6 months later braces came off and I weirdly missed them.

Thanks Citrus, my orthodontist has said I'll need a metal retainer at the back so I'm mentally prepared for that.

Reassured in a weird way that other people have found it takes a bit longer for their mouth to settle down. Lots I read online suggested that by day 3 everything should be hunky dory whereas I'm finding things pretty sore still had I mentioned that yet?

It’s ok to take painkillers for a couple more days .

I second making sure you get a fixed retaining wire behind your teeth. Mine haven’t noticeably budged in years, and I don’t wear any retainer at night. Oh, and make sure you get a scale & polish when your braces come off, they will need it! Oh and be careful with mouth wash as a couple of them will stain your teeth horribly, which is even worse around braces!