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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to just remove the damn brace?

54 replies

TeenageAngst1 · 12/10/2018 11:54

Feeling awful. DD14 had a brace fitted yesterday and hates it. She has a removable top brace and says she can't talk properly and can't eat. She has a fixed bottom brace and now has an ulcer from it rubbing. The treatment is on the NHS and so needed. I am trying to talk sense into her and telling her to give it a few days, see how it goes, loads of people have them, etc. But she is such a drama queen that the whole family is stressed. Feel like marching back to the orthodontist and asking for them to be removed (although won't obviously). Dreading the dramas over the weekend. Please can you share your brace experiences so we can get through this...

OP posts:

ConciseandNice · 12/10/2018 16:56

I had braces as a teen and raised Merry hell. I eventually had them removed before they had done their job. As an adult in her 40s I regret that every damn day. Stick with it!

Darkstar4855 · 12/10/2018 17:11

I had top and bottom fixed braces in my late teens. They do take a bit of getting used to, especially having the confidence to eat harder/crunchier foods again.

Just keep reassuring her that it will be worth it when she has lovely straight teeth as an adult. Plenty of paracetamol/ibuprofen as needed, treat her to favourite (soft) foods etc.

Dental wax is a godsend too - make sure you’ve always got some and encourage her to tear off pea-sized balls of it and press them over any bit of the brace that’s digging in to her lip/gum.

puppymouse · 12/10/2018 17:14

Please encourage her to stick with it. The first few days of any new brace or adjustment is uncomfortable. As an adult who had braces as a child, did everything to straighten the teeth but then wasn't given a retainer, they just went back to how they were. I had Invisalign as an adult and I love my teeth now. They make such a difference.

jq28 · 12/10/2018 17:16

I work in orthodontics and the last thing you should do is remove the brace.
It will settle in 3 days she will
Wonder what all the fuss now is about.
Maybe Cook softer foods which require minimal chewing without making a fuss so it will help. Painkillers and patience is all it takes!
This type of treatment as you have said costs thousands and she is extremely lucky to be offered it. Many would kill for free treatment and On the NHS you get one shot at orthodontics. Once they are off they are off! Good luck

mycheapshoes · 12/10/2018 17:22

It really does hurt for the first few days so give her a decent amount of sympathy even if she is being a drama queen!
Wax, bonjela, painkillers and soft food and honestly in less than a week it will be fine (until it’s tighetened!)

MyArris · 12/10/2018 17:23

As a 48 year old sat here in with braces on, I’d really encourage her to preserve. It’s an expensive mistake not to.

The pain subsides, it gets better and it’s worth it.

Tronkmanton · 12/10/2018 17:29

My DD was exactly the same, I even rang the orthodontist asking if it was normal to have all the pain/drama/histronics...yes it’s completely normal apparently. My DD got through it & is very glad she persevered as the results are amazing. Painkillers and the wax stuff will help and feed her non liquid type food. Good luck it will be worth it.

hendricksy · 12/10/2018 17:35

Don't take it off or give in , you and she will regret it . Yes it hurts but it will die down in a few days . Make sure she has back to back drugs if necessary .

sunshinewithabitofdrizzle · 12/10/2018 17:40

My daughter had the "blocks" to push her jaw forward before the train tracks. Yes they're awful the first few days, but after that they were fine and even her speech was fine once she got used to it. She was told she could take them out at school if she had to give a talk or anything but actually she just kept them in the whole time and she was fine with it. Yes it's absolutely miserable the first few days but she's got to persevere, it's so worth it.

ShaftOfWit · 12/10/2018 17:42

Seems like I'm a lone voice here, but I have never regretted not having braces. At 12 my dentist first mentioned it as something I'd need to think about soon. Umm no. I explained that I really wasn't bothered about my crooked teeth, and the response was 'well you might say that now, but you won't feel that way when you're 16'. Then at 16 my dentist said that if really left it rather late, and would need to get them fitted pronto. I repeated that I really wasn't bothered about my crooked teeth and was told that I might say that now, but would feel differently when I was 21. Eventually I was strongarmed into an appointment with an orthodontist (because it's particularly important for girls ). I asked for the medical justification, he wasn't able to give one, and I repeated that I really had no interest in having my teeth straightened. His parting shot was 'well don't come crying to be on your wedding day'. Sexist prick.

UserHistory · 12/10/2018 17:44

Dental wax, diversions, mashed potatoes and neurofen.

She’ll meet new friends and they can commiserate over the braces.

Btw Tell her to stop texting in school, she needs to talk to her peers- someone in her class is going through the same thing, she needs to put down her phone and ask others how they are.

hannnnnnnxo · 12/10/2018 17:47

Sorry but it’s been 1 day since the braces have been fitted. Of course she will feel uncomfortable as she hasn’t had the chance to get accustomed to having them in. You’ll have to convince her to stick with it

hannnnnnnxo · 12/10/2018 17:50

Definitely recommend having a softer diet for now (soup, ice cream etc). But still tasty and enjoyable for her of course. It will be difficult for her to eat really chewy or hard food for a few days.

PiperPublickOccurrences · 12/10/2018 17:51

I know exactly what you're going through.I have one child who has completed orthodontic treatment, one who is 75% through.

They both report that the braces hurt like buggery for the first couple of days. Then it gets better. If she can remove the appliance for eating then let her - a few minutes isn't going to make a lot of difference and is going to be a lot less messy. Then it goes back in after she's finished.

Anbesol gel which is usually sold for teething babies helps a lot. Soft food for the first few days.

TheThirdOfHerName · 12/10/2018 17:56

DD has a twin block (removable brace) - it was very difficult for the first couple of days. Jaw pain, drooling, nearly impossible to chew. It got much much better after the first week or so. It still affects her speech, but she can eat anything she wants and is in no pain.

DS3 has a fixed brace (as did DS2). Easier than a twin block, but still painful for the first couple of days.

Please try to encourage her to give it at least a week. It does get easier.

MsMightyTitanAndHerTroubadours · 12/10/2018 17:57

it's done now, but we tried to get all major brace events sorted at the beginning of a school holiday, so maybe if there are extra stages you could try and factor that in. A few lazy days at home can help if they feel speech/eating is compromised.

ds2 had them on and off right from 11, it's best to be brisk, no nonsense and kind, any wheedling and justifying just gives them something to rail against.

TheThirdOfHerName · 12/10/2018 18:00

it's best to be brisk, no nonsense and kind

This is my approach: "I'm sorry you're in pain. It will get better. Here's some paracetamol and a hug. I've made soup for dinner."

Namelessinseattle · 12/10/2018 18:18

The best way you can help is food, rice with yummy sauces, everything small- AVOID PIXZA AS A FAMILY

Blackoutblinds · 12/10/2018 18:19

Iglu I think it’s called. It’s a bonjela type gel to rub in for grown ups. Mine said it was the best.

Also make sure she takes her painkillers and doesn’t miss or put off a dose.

And use the wax.

It’ll settle. Xxx

LadyFidgetAndHerHandbag · 12/10/2018 18:30

Former braces wearer here too, I had them on and off for years because my teeth were truly awful (I had to have things like apples cut up because my front teeth were so wonky I couldn't bite into anything). She needs plenty of painkillers, really soft food (preferably stuff that doesn't need chewing), dental wax and loads of encouragement. I don't regret having mine, they were awful at the time but I knew it needed doing as I wouldn't to be able to eat food like everyone else!

LadyFidgetAndHerHandbag · 12/10/2018 18:31

wanted to be able.

Allthewaves · 12/10/2018 18:35

First week is hell as is the week after getting new words and tightening. Keep her dosed on paracetamol and ibuprofen plus lots of soft or liquid foods

Justletmego · 12/10/2018 18:41

Plough through the first three days, your mouth adjusts to it. But every change it happens again. Lots of nurofen helped me, I had lingual braces and extractions but it’s the best thing ever now it’s off. So glad I stuck with it

EnglishRose13 · 12/10/2018 18:41

I remember those first days well. It will ease and will be worth it in the end. I'm so glad I had a brace and wish I'd worn my bloody retainer!

Soft foods and ice cold drinks to numb.

I can remember trying to eat a sandwich after getting mine adjusted. It got stuck under a bar that went over the roof of my mouth and I choked and cried!

Bloomingfreezing · 12/10/2018 18:47

Show her before and after photos, I’m sure she’s googled already, to remind her of the end goal.

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