Braces on Adults. Any advice or experience please?

[Solo]

I am, at the age of 49 going to have my teeth straightened. My dentist is using me as a case study for his post grad something or other, so it's costing me virtually nothing (or I couldn't do it), but I'm a little apprehensive as I have no idea what to expect or how other people will 'see' me if you see what I mean.
I'm having the upper and lower teeth done.

Have any of you older more mature lady Mnetters got any experience or advice for me please before I get into the chair? any regrets at all? My teeth are very healthy and I have no wish to compromise that, but they are also very crooked and becoming more so as I age. I'd love to be able to bite into a sandwich without dragging most of the filling out of the bread too!

TIA!

My eldest sister, on her 50th birthday, decided to have her buck teeth fixed. She's never regretted it. Braces these days are nothing like the train tracks they used to be and people stop seeing them after a while. My only suggestion would be to invest in some dental wax, you'll need it.

Oooh! thanks slug :) I think they will be train track like and I saw his dental nurse who was sporting them last week; I thought they looked very 'there' and obvious, but what the hey!
What is dental wax and what is it for?

Aha! just looked up about the dental wax :)

My mum had her teeth done at 67. She only regretted not having it done sooner. I am thinking about getting mine done x

I had mine done in my late 20s / early 30s and had train tracks on both jaws (and an op to move my lower jaw but I was at the extreme end of the treatment scale!). Like you I was very lucky and got mine on the NHS at a teaching hospital. Go for it... the problems you have will only get worse so sieze the chance - especially if you're not paying.

seize not sieze - argh, bedtime...

Brilliant! thank you :) or should that be

I have them! I also have a new respect for all the brace wearing teens there are! Ouch, ouch, ouch!!!

I am currently using an Inman aligned. 2 weeks to go before a fixed retainer. I wish I had done it years ago. Although these are not the train track version I urge anyone thinking about it to get it done.

It will hurt for a couple of weeks to start with (aches with tension on teeth and sores on inside of cheeks) and then every time they tighten them for a day or so.

I had then when I was 13 for 3 years. Massively worth it.

Dental wax is for sores

Mrsspongebob I would've liked them as a youngster, but the dentist back then said I'd have to have 4 (healthy) teeth removed and my mum said no and quite right too IMO. Since becoming an adult, I'd not had the money and of course, as you age, the overcrowding becomes worse. I consider myself very lucky to be having this done for virtually no charge and at my age. I have to go back this afternoon as a bracket has come off.
Skinny the dentist gave me a length of wax, but it seems quite hard to soften enough to apply iyswim. Somewhere at home, I have a tub of paraffin wax, which should be easier to use I think.

I had Damon braces fitted as a present to myself on my 50th birthday, three months ago. Apart from the odd sore - which I soothe with wax - I've had no problems whatsoever. No tenderness, aching, bad heads. My next step is to have my teeth whitened then replace the crown on the front tooth with something more modern. Bad, crooked or missing teeth age you terribly as you grow older and orthodontics are so used to dealing with adult patients these days. Go for it.

I had them as a teen, and again at 44, they were on for 18 months. I hated them, but felt a new kinship with teenagers!. My teeth had moved back into wonkyness over time, due to a having a back tooth taken out. Now they are reasonably straight, but I am still not totally happy with them. I had a sticky bridge done to fill a gap, as the ortho felt the gap was too big to close fully, so widened it and put the bridge in (so now I have more teeth than before) and that is the bit I hate, i wish I had just lived with a slightly less gappy smile. But the general look of my teeth is much better. It cost a small fortune though!

I think I have Damons as well, but my mouth is sore (I have coils/springs too) and my teeth are very sensitive, tender and achy which is all new to me.

I think it must be a new trend, adults in braces. I know two women a 20- something and a 44 year old who currently use them. They look great in them, honestly. I think grown ups look cute wearing braces anyway.

I am quite embarrassed in mine. I cover my mouth if I smile or laugh (never ever did this prior to Tuesday) as my lips go over the braces and I then have to push my lips outwards and over my teeth/braces to look half normal again.
There are seemingly far more adults 'going for it' now. I've waited 35+ years for this opportunity.

I'd go for it. Orthodontic treatment is expensive and if your teeth are crooked think about the possible build up of plaque and gum disease.

I had my top teeth straightened when I was in my 20s (similar age to you now). Unfortunately, in those days they didn't give you retainers to wear after the fixed brace was removed and my teeth have moved back slightly. Make sure you wear your retainers!

Thanks piggle