Adult braces questions.

[NeshyK]

Hi everyone,
I'm considering having adult braces (at age 36) as I've had crooked teeth, impacted canines etc. since I was about 12. I've had a chat with my dentist he says he can do the work - it will have to be train tracks braces for 1.5 to 2 years. They have taken scans of my teeth to start the process, and I'm having to take 2 teeth taken out initially (potentially 2 more later depending on how my teeth move), including one of my impacted canines, so I'm feeling pretty nervous. Can anyone who has had, or currently has, adult braces answer a few queries please?

• what did you look for in your dentist/orthodontist for adult braces? I've opted to go with the principal practitioner at my local dentists because the practice has been good for more general dental work like fillings, half-crown etc. (I've been with them since 2014) and the website says he's an experienced orthodontist, but there are no examples (before and after pics) on their website, although there are a few 5/5 star reviews on Google for their Invisalign work. I also can't find his qualification as an orthodontist on the BOS website. Is this important?

• does it hurt a lot when the braces are in? I've heard that it can cut the inside of your mouth and just be uncomfortable.

• what do I look out for in terms of eating food, keeping braces and teeth clean? I'm assuming I might have to give up on eating granola for breakfast while I have them on? Not sure I'll be able to floss unless I use a waterpik.

Any other advice would be much appreciated. Thank you in advance!

I can't really answer what to look for in terms of choosing an orthodontist, I went down the NHS route so of course had no say.

As for pain, yes it's achy at first and eating will be tricky to start with. The wires and brackets can irritate the inside of your mouth, but you should be given some wax to use to help with this. The aches and pains can be managed with paracetamol.

I didn't give up any particular foods and just ate as normal. I definitely advise getting a waterpik, it made such a good job of getting everything out. Disgusting but fascinating!

I chose a dentist near to me who is very well rated on his work. I also wanted them off quickly so I chose 6 month smiles.

It didn't hurt particularly. There are no injections and there was no pain having them fixed. The only time there was pain was the first tightening and I think that was more I had a very crooked tooth to move! The day after having them was quite painful and too sore to eat, try a soft banana and soups. You get used to it after a while though and before each tightening I was pretty much eating normally and could manage most things.

If yours are white coloured watch the tea/ coffee etc I used a glass straw for mine and avoid curry/ heavy tomato based stuff. Other than that you should be ok.

It's the best thing I've ever done you won't regret it.

Definitely get the white/clear braces if possible. My children had them and they are barely noticeable which is a huge plus. I had braces as a teen and the pain isn't anything to worry about, and I even had to have a tooth brought down from the roof of my mouth. The day after an adjustment can be annoying, but very manageable. As for food, you can eat basically anything, just stay away from anything really sticky or hard.

My grandmother got braces at the age of 54, this was back in the 70's, and it was the best thing she ever did. She had a perfect, gorgeous smile until she died at 99 which made her very, very happy!

You've made a great decision that you will never regret.

I wouldn’t go for white braces. They stain so easily.
If start ASAP while people are wearing masks. I wish I’d had a mask when I had mine.
I won’t lie, mine were so painful, but when I look at my old teeth now, I would do it all again in a heartbeat.
My advise, don’t hang around - get booked in and tell them you want them done for say your 38th birthday. They can’t tighten them more if you can cope with it. Good luck. Please send us pics! Xx

I would want an orthodontist who is on the specialist register. As a dentist, I don't think I'd let a dentist treat me who wasn't a specialist or at least "a dentist with special interest" so has post graduate qualifications but maybe not done the full specialist rigmarole.

I always remember kids at school with braces would turn them green if they ate a curry. Not a good look. The material they use might be different now.

I also went the NHS route so had no choice in orthodontist.

The first week after mine were placed my teeth ached quite a lot and I could only eat soft foods like mash potato and soup etc. Each adjustment was followed by a day or so of pain but manageable.

I ate almost everything I did before after the first few months, just brush every time you eat. You can use tepee brushes instead of flossing but the water pik is fantastic. They also have a floss made for braces but it's quite a faff.

Best thing I have done for myself. Good luck!!

I have braces on my upper and lower teeth, started at the age of 34 last year. I had two teeth removed and the top set put on during the same appointment and I won't lie, for the first two weeks I would have sawed my own head off with the pain, I genuinely wondered what I had done. I have the white ceramic ones and most people have said they don't realise I have them unless I tell them, even though I feel like they are noticeable. You do get used to then really quickly.

I have worn elastics with them as well during various stages, I would say you need to be committed to the treatment and if they tell you to wear the elastics and change them so many times a day etc, do as you're told, it does make a difference. I'm just waiting for the gaps to close now where I had the two teeth removed, my other teeth are now perfectly straight and the uppers were really crooked. I would honestly say it has been worth any discomfort and the money, I would do it again in a heart beat. The difference it has made to my confidence smiling, even wearing the braces is amazing, I can only imagine how chuffed I will feel when they come off later this year.

Do it, you won't regret it!

Hi Mrsmorton, he does have a postgrad in orthodontics and the website does say his special interest is orthodontics. I just didn't see him on the BOS website. Does that make a difference? Or is it better to go with someone who's BOS registered etc.?

Thanks everyone for your advice and letting me know of your own experiences. I'm feeling a little less nervous about the decision now . I'm sure I'll feel self-conscious when I'm eventually back in the office meeting clients etc., but I think in the long-term it'll be worth it!

I"ve currently got clear lower braces and I wish I'd paid the extra and got invisalign which my husband has just got. The braces made some really extreme moves of one front tooth which created a large (temporary) gap which led to whistling / lisping and also was quite painful. I also had springs which were horrible - inside mouth kept getting stuck in the spring which really hurts!

@NeshyK that sounds reasonable. There are strict rules around advertising so it sounds like he's got the right experience and qualifications which is great. Good luck, it will be a bit sore but you'll forget it soon enough and WEAR YOUR RETAINER FOR EVER AND EVER.

Do not get white. They stain so easily. If I did it again that would be the only change I would make. Adult braces are so common now that having visible train tracks is not a shock.
You can floss your teeth with interdental brushes.
When you first get them eating anything feels really tricky but that will pass after the first week.

It's almost coming to the end of me wearing my braces (I've been told they'll probably be off in Feb 2023), so I thought I would update this thread.

I am so glad I went for braces! My teeth are looking so even and I smile a lot more than I used to with a lot more confidence, even with the braces still on.

I've got metal braces, so proper 'train tracks' and they've been fine. Three of my teeth had to be removed to make more space. I've realised that close proximity to the dentist's office has been super useful. It's made getting to my appointments has been so easy. And once I had to go in for an emergency appointment (a biscuit I ate bent one of the wires!) and it was easy to get it sorted.

Getting the wires adjusted can be painful and uncomfortable for about 2-3 days, but overall it's been so worth it! I am so happy with how my smile looks now. Can't wait to show them off properly. Thanks to everyone who responded to my queries in 2021, it's much appreciated!