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?

Awww good for you OP. I would love braces. My teeth are abysmal but I cannot afford it. Even the monthly payments for Invisalign and the like are too much to commit to. My teeth will look jacked forever it seems

@JKDcot Oh you poor thing. This all sounds really familiar. I’ve had a few ‘what have I done?!’ moments aswell but I promise it gets better. I’m sitting eating a baked potato and tuna mayo waiting for the first coat of paint to dry in my bedroom. Firstly, three weeks ago I wouldn’t even have contemplated a baked potato, too much chewing…. But I’m managing no problem now. Secondly, I have set myself little goals between each appointment, this time it was to decorate my bedroom on my days off. I’m slowly getting there and it’s keeping me busy and stopping me thinking about the braces too much.
My lips also looked pretty big but they seem to have settled now. The bite blocks were the most uncomfortable thing for me, I couldn’t chew but I’ve adapted now and they’ve worn down a bit. Won’t be eating a steak any time soon but I can manage most food. Feel free to private message me if you like but honestly, it does get better!

@JKDcot I also should have said that a small gap is opening up exactly where it needs too so that is also a massive pick me up when I’m feeling a bit miserable! Hopefully the ortho will be happy aswell.

It's so common for adults to have braces nowadays, no one will laugh at you.
I had mine put in a few months ago and I can already see big changes which is amazing. I had 4 teeth removed too and the gaps have already closed over mostly. You've already gone so long not happy with your teeth so why go any longer. I have ceramic braces and I think they're better than the metal ones as they are less noticeable and i've not had any sore gums or ulcers as they don't rub. My son had metal ones a few years ago and often had ulcers. Go for it!!

Go for it. Nobody will laugh at you. I had a retainer as I had under bite. It really improved my smile.

They do feel odd for the first few days but you soon get used to them. Good luck!

OK so eating is not great as I am biting down on plastic. Also my cheeks are really cut to shreds. And a new one, my lips and chin just jutt out cause the braces are so thick and push everything out. That won’t change right? I will have a weird face for the whole time I wear them?

I felt exactly the same as you, I have crooked teeth and an overbite, my dentist has recommended Invisalign which I will get fitted next month - the thought makes me self conscious at someone over 40 but I am looking forward to the results

@introverteccentric I have Invisalign for the same reason. I'm now on tray 32 of the 35 in the original plan (started Nov 2022) and I am looking forward to getting finished. Next time I see my dentist she will take another scan and order any additional retainers - she thinks 5 more worn for 10 days each as a prediction. My teeth have changed hugely - no more overbite, wider jaw and so much straighter and better looking.

Same process as mine I think, my lower teeth are aligned correctly however my top ones have a narrowing which means my teeth don't really show when I smile (not that I smile much now haha) so I am really looking forward to the results

Anyone have train tracks/fixed braces and finding their speech was impacted? My lips can’t close over the brackets and I am lisping and spitting… feel very self conscious

Did anyone consider just getting them taken off? I’m on day 4 and it’s not good. My mouth is very sore, I can’t eat, I feel really self conscious and have a lisp. Not sure why I started this? Can’t do 2 years???

You'll be fine, op. Of course it's going to suck at the beginning. You'll get through it, so FGS, don't quit now.

Hi OP,
How are you getting on?
Thinking of getting them myself, I am older than you.

I am in the USA and having braces as an adult is seen as a total non issue over here. Everyone knows orthodontics are expensive and not everyone can get access as a child/teen due to family finances and other reasons. Also, sometimes teeth drift and what was a minor issue becomes worse as we age. Straight teeth and an accurate bite are much better for preventing gum disease too (which is a major cause of other health problems such as heart disease). I also think it's the most significant thing you can do for your general health and structure of the face as you age, as a bad bite (particularly an overbite) can make the lower half of the face collapse inward.

I'm currently in the 'why am I doing this' stage again. Finished all of my 35 aligners, my orthodontist said my molars aren't meeting enough and more aligners won't fix that. Currently I'm on week 1 of at least 6 weeks of wearing set 35 overnight, no aligners in the day, but I have 8 metal pins on the outside of my teeth on both sides of my mouth with elastic bands looped around them in two squares so upper and lower jaw is held together. At night I have to put tighter elastics on.

I'm like an old fashioned ventriloquist's dummy with a jaw that keeps snapping shut and if you get too close you can hear the elastic creaking as it stretches. And it hurts, all the time.

I’m now 3 months into my braces. Got to be honest it isn’t comfortable and I do feel a bit self conscious when I speak. But… I know I’m doing it for overall health benefits and a better bite / face structure. So I think it will be worth it!!

Good for you for sticking with it.
For sure you'll benefit so much when they come off.
How often do you have to have them tightened/ moved?

Im 4 months into my treatment (fixed ceramic braces) and really hardly notice them now. I had a new bracket added and wires tightened a few days ago and it’s been tender but the discomfort doesn’t last long. I see really positive results so far so that keeps me going. I’d rather be moaning about the brace than still complaining about my crooked teeth! @JKDcot Glad you’ve persevered! Hopefully you’re doing well.

Snap!

I am on the second stage -to fix my bite.

After 4 weeks of only wearing tray 30 at night I got used to that freedom.

First week of new tray 1 was sore. Hurt to remove and they are much harder to remove! I didn't agree to the bands at the time (just at night) as it sounded horrible but I may agree when go back after 8 weeks.

I had train tracks in my 40’s, and it had the opposite effect to the one you fear. So many people asked me about them, wanted to know where I was having it done etc, 3 people I know also went on to also have it done.
it was hard eating for the first day or two, no problems after that. Treatment was completed in just over a year, less time than expected. I had white ceramics so not noticeable, I think the last wire didn’t come in white but I didn’t mind.
I was delighted with the result and b ver stop getting compliments about my teeth, I’m now mid 50’s.
I have two permanent retainers, and still sleep in the plastic retainer occasionally, it feels tight if I leave it more than 2 weeks. Teeth keep moving as we age!