Decided to get adult orthodontic braces. Will people laugh

[JKDcot]

I am 42 and decided to get adult braces. They recommend the train track brackets stuck on my teeth. I want the treatment done but it will take 2 years or more.

i am worried I will be laughed at and feel super self conscious. Anyone else done it and it’s been ok? Does it affect your speech and eating?

One other worry! I have had quite bad gum
disease and some bone loss. Did anyone feel teeth were loose and thought they might lose a teeth during the process?

@JKDcot I didn't have bad gum disease but normal 'inflammation' that I think most people have before they become aware of the consequences. I wasn't "allowed" by my orthodontic practice to have braces fitted until that was resolved. I had a couple of teeth cleans with the hygenist.

If it's a problem a competent orthodontist should deal with this first.

You can't have braces unless you have good oral hygene.

A side benefit of braces was I became much more aware of consequences of gum disease, how to spot signs, how to clean teeth properly yourself and importance of regular hygenist visits.

My oral hygene post braces was millions better.

I don’t remember what I was watching… and no idea how it related.

But years ago was watching a tv show and there were interviews with black women from the southern US states. They were successful professional women and they all had braces. When asked about it one explained that when they were younger (the typical age for braces) their parents couldn’t afford them. So it was a bit of a status symbol that they could get them as successful adults.

In truth I should have had braces as a teen (in the lat 80s early 90s). My mum said she didn’t really agree with them (of course her teeth were naturally straight!), but I’m also now kind of wondering if it was the cost.

I’m nearing 50 and half-assed considering them. Mostly because I have tooth crowding and it’s hard to get a good clean on a daily basis and I tend to have stains where I can’t brush reliably. My current mitigation is to have 4 cleanings per year to make sure that I don’t have any problems. (Knock on wood all teeth and gums are healthy).

Long winded way to say get them if you want them! Time/age does not matter

I was a similar age when I had train track braces. I have a night time retainer now and am so pleased I had it done.

Will you have to wear some controller at night forever, and are they damaging teeth to get them aligned?

Can you take time off work for the appointments?

A retainer just keeps the teeth in place because our teeth naturally can move which can damage our bite.
It's common to have a permanent retainer put in behind the teeth to prevent them from moving again.

There is a lot more damage caused by misaligned, crooked teeth and deficient bites than having braces to correct dental issues.

Back in the late ‘90s, Gwen Stefani had braces at age 30 and everyone thought it was awesome. Don’t worry about it.

Do it. DH got braces in his 40s. He had always hated his teeth but put off braces for years because he thought he'd be embarrassed.
He wasn't and is so happy with the results.

Hi @JKDcot also in my 40s and wanted to do this for ages. Finally going to save for it this year. Do you mind me asking you (and anyone else!) how much they cost?

£2600 for everything including aftercare. Mine were traditional fixed braces.

I had train tracks in my 30s and it was fine. If you have gum issues I’d recommend those above Invisalign as I have Invisalign style retainers but my gums have receded since having them in some areas where they fit over the teeth tightly at the top - and they were properly fitted at a dental hospital.

I was eligible to have mine done on the NHS in my 40s due to the size of my overbite.

I'm 55 and on set 31 of at least 35 Invisalign trays. No one has batted an eyelid.

The up side is that having spent over £3000 on having nice teeth, it also spurred me on to lose weight as it seemed pointless having straight teeth and still being overweight.

I am spending £4,000 paid in instalments over 2 years. I think and hope this money worth spending if my bite and teeth are more functional at the end of treatment. I feel as j have got older my teeth are shifting back and this will help long term!

Hi JKDcot. I had my braces fitted on the 19th of January. I’m also just joining mumsnet to reply to your message (sorry!). I’m 38 and had been looking at lots of different options including Invisalign. This would have been an option but would have taken 3+ years, multiple trays and would not have a corrected my bite, it would have been have purely cosmetic. Braces were about the same cost, slightly more as I chose ceramic brackets.
So far the biggest issue has been ulcers which I am very prone to anyway. I have felt a pressure in my teeth and the odd bit of pain in a single tooth but all very manageable. They look …. Well they look like braces. They are subtle but still visible. But the main thing to say is that every person I’ve encountered has been very supportive and generally don’t even bother. I feel better about my teeth knowing I’m finally doing something to fix my smile. I have good teeth but they have always been crowded and crooked. This was made worse by an extraction a few years ago which gave the teeth lots of space to move into even worse positions 🤦‍♀️. Happy to answer any questions but I’m fairly new to this so learning all the time! Eating is a new experience but I can eat most things but the ulcers sometimes dictate what I can chew. I just have to take my time. The hygiene side is monotonous at times but I was told to keep them spotless but the orthodontist!

but the ulcers sometimes dictate what I can chew

Has your orthodontist given you some orthodontic wax? if you stick it on the brace where it is rubbing, it stops ulcers forming.

I found some types were better than others (more adhesion)

JessicasLavalier yeah, I tried a couple of types but didn’t get on great with it. I am going to try again as I found some from sons ortho treatment last year and it’s a different type so fingers crossed! Thanks though.

@Janeyjo38 thank you so so much for your post! We’re going to be in the same boat. I’m having my ceramic braces fitted on Wednesday and told it’s at least a 2 year process.

I too had extractions so my teeth have become crowded and I have an overbite. For me it’s not about aesthetics but function mainly.

I am hoping that it’s not too uncomfortable, I can eat as normally as possible and the upkeep isn’t too bad as the dentist warned me the ceramic ones can stain…

what have they told you about brushing? Do you have to brush immediately after every meal? I have to see a hygienist every 3 months during it all which is fine for me. I just don’t want them to get stained! Did you get a lisp? Sorry for all the questions

@JKDcot So I also have to see the hygienist regularly. I’ve to brush after each meal and especially after coffee and tea (which I can’t live without 🫣)! I have ceramic brackets but they don’t have ligatures like normal braces so the potential for staining is less. They have little gates instead and are self ligating. But the glue can stan over time apparently so I should avoid too much strong coloured curry etc. I’m told turmeric is very bad! I don’t have a lisp now but had to adapt a bit when speaking at first although I think I noticed this more than anyone else did. I drink loads of water now aswell and this helps as my mouth and lips were so dry at first. Anbesol is good for ulcers and soluble paracetamol swished and held in your mouth for as long as possible is also great for any discomfort. I’ve been told at least 18months which was a bit disappointing but I am committed now. If it helps also my 11 year is nearing the end of his braces journey and the difference is phenomenal. His baby teeth all came out too quickly meaning his adult ones all came in at once and just didn’t have space and were so crooked and crowded. I didn’t think they could ever be straight but they look amazing. So I’m seeing the same ortho (private) as I have a lot of faith in her. And if an 11 year old can endure it, hopefully so can I!

Op I’m late 30s and had train tracks for 4 years! (Pandemic in the middle of treatment)
only 1 person laughed at me and he was a prick in general. Nobody else mentioned it.
I wasn’t suitable for Invisalign, and had white ceramic on top and silver on bottom. Keep in mind the bands on the ceramic discolour really easily and often look yellow! So watch what you eat / drink

Thank you for your advice and comments!

@Janeyjo38 good on you for taking the courage to just do it. I have been wavering for years about it and just going to take your advice that if an 11 year old can deal with it then we should easily. Great advice about how to help with cleaning and any pain relief. I’ll update on Wednesday when I’ve had them put on! I’m going out for a greasy burger and chips tomorrow just because I can and want to enjoy biting into it with no hassle! Learning what I can bite into and chew easily will be odd…

@JKDcot All the best for getting them fitted but you won’t need it, the fitting is easy. Ortho has where’s wally on the ceiling (🤣) and I had my ear buds in so it went by in a flash! Hope you enjoy your last ‘big bite’! I have honestly adapted quickly to eating food in a different way and as I said, if it wasn’t for the nasty ulcers (which I’m so prone too anyway) I’d be back to eating almost normally. Keep us posted! X.

@Janeyjo38 they’re on! Took a while but not painful. The dentist had to put some bite blocks on my molars and it feels so odd to bite down on plastic?!? I have lots of wax ready for when ulcers start. Right now it feels awful and my mouth would never get used to it…. Hope you’re better?

@JKDcot Glad it was a good experience for you. It’s such a strange feeling! As if you can’t close your mouth! I have got bite blocks aswell as my top teeth would have knocked my bottom brace off. But they have worn away just enough to be comfortable. I do worry that the ortho will make them higher again at my next appointment though. Ulcers are much better thank you. Taking extra care to look after myself, healthy food and plenty of sleep to help them heal. I also felt I’d never be comfortable but I’m three weeks down the line and mostly forget I have them on. How long until you go back?

Thank you so much for your update and kind words @Janeyjo38

i am back in 2 months for the first wire change. So far I have eaten a little bit of baked beans and some soft white bread…

if it weren’t for feeling my lip is massive and the bite blocks are hard and weird to eat in. So far no pain!glad your ulcers are better too

@Janeyjo38 oh my god feeling so miserable today about it.

eating is not fun at all, can’t get used to biting down onto plastic?

my speech feels weird and my lips are giant? It’s so noticeable and uncomfortable

so far only 1 main ulcer but it’s just not comfortable. Will I get used to it?? And how long?!