To ask about your experience of adult braces? Fitting tomorrow!

[SubTemp]

I’m finally in my mid 30s getting my very wonky teeth sorted and I’m having my braces fitted tomorrow, standard train tracks on the bottom and ceramic on the top with silver wire. Apparently I’ll have them on for around 2 years and I’m extremely nervous about it! I don’t like the dentist at the best of times and I’m panicking that I’ll have a terrible lisp afterwards (telephone job) and everyone will laugh at me 😩 has anyone had similar at my age that can calm my nerves?

Hang in there OP. I had mine on for 2 3 years including double jaw surgery and it had literally changed my life.

Wax and Painkillers to get you through.

Stick with it! Don't spare the wax (or the painkillers) the worst will be over soon!

My 13 year old daughter will need braces and I'm dreading what it will be like for her especially reading this lol. She still hasn't lost all her baby teeth so waiting on that. I hope the pain soon settles for you OP x

I had mine done a few years ago. Had them taken off a couple of months after my 30th. Best thing I ever ever ever did! I don't mind being in photos now and actually smile

There will be some discomfort but it's good - I liked it because it was my teeth moving into shape! Make sure you take lots of before and after pics! You will be amazed by the end x

Sorry I didn't read your latest update about having a hard time with them. Hugs xx it will get better xx

One of my childhood ambitions was to have braces. Had train tracks, I loved them. (I was a strange child!)

I found it agony for the first week. And got little cuts, not actual ulcers though.
Contact the dentist if you're really struggling. And get more was and pain relief. First bit is worse by miles.
Hope you feel better soon.

I had sores in a line along both sides inside my mouth to start with too - try anbesol teething liquid that numbs it. Ice cold water, smoothies... I lived off mars milkshakes too at first. Salt water gargling will help the mouth heal and your inside of your cheeks/mouth will toughen up, this bit honestly is the worst. I also felt like I couldn't close my mouth but it's all fine now, your lips must stretch or something 🤣 now I wonder how it will feel without the braces, will my lips be saggy 🤣

My 12 year old has just had her traintracks off. She had a functional appliance first which was v obtrusive and quite painful for first week or so and she found it difficult to speak but for her the train tracks werent as bad. Igloo is apparently quite good (available at boots)

A square of chocolate fits nicely in the roof of your mouth op! Got me through the early days! 5 months in now and don't use wax. Mould it in between your finger tips til it's soft then press against the bracket.

Does the level of pain I’m in seem normal? Or should I contact my orthodontist?
I’ve attached some photos of my mouth 😔

That does seem extreme. I think I’d give them a call to discuss but think it’s unlikely there’s anything they can do. Pain killers, wax, rest.

I am early 40s 6months in with Damon train tracks. My lips didn’t feel like they fitted over them at first and I had sore mouth edges from the extra drooling. I’ve been taking extra vitamins since then to boost my system to counteract the changes in my mouth and this seems to have cleared it up. Maybe an option to look at to help with?

Also get a waterpik, and oral b toothbrush with pressure sensor. Teepee brushes off amazon. Don’t buy too many at first as the size you will need will change as your teeth move around. Regular hygienist visits and get them to help with brushing techniques.

Anbesol is great, and weetabix for every meal to get used to the bite turbos. Within 4 weeks you will barely notice them I promise!

Brace cost just over £5k, but I guess there are upper and lower limits depending on work needed.

Oh you poor thing.

I can see why you're suffering - that looks extremely sore.

The brackets will feel huge for a while, but that's normal, they look perfect.

You will see changes really, really quickly. The more 'aligned' my crooked teeth got, the less discomfort I have. So the more mis-aligned your teeth are to begin with, the more sore you'll find it.

I still have mine on but 18 months later I forget they're there until I've eaten and I have to pick everything out of them

Right now you've got brand new brackets and wires poking and rubbing and you are probably throbbing with pain and they must feel so tender.

Keep taking painkillers (according to dosage guidelines) and eat/drink what you're able to. Even it it's ice cream to make you feel better!

Use a water floss machine like Waterpik and rinse with mouthwash when they're too tender to brush.

I know it's miserable, and no one quite warns you just how bad it can be, but it does get better. I know the desperate feeling of wanting to RIP THEM OFF NOW but it does improve.

It feels like forever but the time absolutely flies by.

I've just remembered - in the early days I wedged cotton cosmetic pads between the brackets and my gum as I just couldn't take any more discomfort. It really helped the pain.

When you apply wax, warm a little blob of it up between your fingers and make sure the bracket you're applying it to is dry. Really dry. Place the blob on the bracket and gently apply pressure so it spreads, keep your finger there for a few seconds then gently pull your finger away.

You say your job is on the phone - meep, I feel for you. Talking with new brackets in your mouth while sore already might be what's causing the ulcers?

Is there any way at all you can take a few days' off? Not very practical though, I know.

I remember using a lot of Orajel max strength in the early days. At least its almost the weekend and you can have a little rest from the talking in the phone.

Maybe try a difflam mouthwash

Thank you for all the helpful advice. I did call the orthodontist for advice who’s advised lots of hot salty water rinses and using the wax in strips over the whole brace, which helps very slightly. I’ve to go in on Monday if it’s not easing up.
My bottom lip is sticking right out and if I close my mouth the brace can be seen as a big ridge through my face 🙈 so will I just need to let my mouth hang open for 2 years??

My intuition here is that your facial muscles will learn to adjust and accommodate the brace, I hope it gets easier for you soon 😊

How are you doing, OP?

@AltasCloud Thanks for asking 😊

I’m still very sore, the swelling has went down a little but new ulcers seem to be appearing. Still taking Codeine for the pain around the clock and can only manage liquids, I’ve lost 6 pounds in weight! I think I must be suffering particularly badly compared to others

Ah, the brace diet!

If it helps at all, I soon put my brace weight-loss back on.

It does sound particularly bad for you; I had similarly crowded teeth but my orthodontist insisted he put the upper arch on first, then 6 months later the bottom arch as he knew it'd be massively painful.

I remember adjusting to the top arch alone was miserable.

You're doing really well, and honestly it'll keep getting easier. Every day is a day nearer to having them off.

I could do with losing about a stone anyway so I suppose it’s helpful in a way! I’m just worried about lack of nutrients. I managed some porridge today, but can’t face attempting food again. I have some ulcers healing but new ones popping up, my mouth is just nipping constantly, still can’t chew at all, and my lips look like I’ve been stung by a bee, urgh.
In my positive moments I know it will be worth it eventually but mostly I just want to rip them off. Hopefully when I start seeing movement I’ll feel more positive.

Sounds like you are having a rough enough start. You poor thing. You will see movement really quickly so hopefully that will help you feel you made the right decision.

Okay
Full fat cottage cheese and porridge are your friend learn to like it as you will eat a lot of it. Ditto protein shakes.
Wax - you need the brace to be dry (not saliva coated) when put the wax on and buy bonjela
The first 3-4 days post appointment is as bad as it gets
take ibuprofen and salt rinse.
Invest in disclosing tablets, floss, interdental tepe and a sonicare toothbrush

Good luck it’ll be he best $$$ You ever spend