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Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

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Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Teenagers

Braces- I need info!

34 replies

spudmasher · 07/01/2013 19:13

So if your teen has braces....

How painful are they?
How willingly does your teen clean them?
How self conscious were they at first having them fitted?

Also, does anyone know if the ceramic/ clear braces would be a choice on NHS? DD qualifies for NHS treatment so can that offset any cost? DD age 14 is a working actor- would that be taken into account at al? ( predicting no- hard times etc)

OP posts:

Report

Sparklingbrook · 08/01/2013 19:15

I had many a thread going about it in July, I was really stressing. MN made me feel better, but it is a big deal, and a commitment. Nobody likes to see their child getting prodded and poked. I actually watched the extractions.

But it's all ok, and I forget he has it now.

spudmasher · 08/01/2013 19:12

Thank you Sparkingbrook. I woke up feeling really stupid this morning- I am the one meant to be supporting DD and I'm more fussed about it than she is at the moment!!!!
Anyway, armed with information and positive stories I feel better equipped to support her now.

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Sparklingbrook · 08/01/2013 19:06

Good luck with it all spud. DS was upset when he found out he was having a brace (we had tears all the way home from the orthodontists) and two years does seem like forever, but suddenly we are 6 months in. He is having the bottom brace applied at Feb half term so don't know how that will affect things. I just keep focussing on the end result.

spudmasher · 08/01/2013 18:55

Thanks so much everyone. so much useful advice here.

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bruffin · 08/01/2013 12:01

My dd has an adult tooth that may be impacted ISWM. They removed the baby tooth and are currently maintaining the space with the brace and havny decided yet what to do.

saycheeeeeese · 08/01/2013 10:39

Just make sure they all wear their retainers afterwards. ...otherwise they msy end up in my position 15 year's later having to get braces all over again!!

IShallWearMidnight · 08/01/2013 10:28

DD2 will be having braces soon - we have an appointment with a reconstructive dentist (?) next week to discuss exactly what they want to do (she has submerged molars, so there are various options, all of which have different braces apparently). She's not fussed as so many of her friends have or have had braces.

DD3 will also need braces at some point, but her teeth aren't bad enough to qualify for NHS treatment, so I need to save up a bit for that .

amumthatcares · 08/01/2013 10:20

My DD had a brace fitted at 14, for a year. When she was told by the Ortho that she would need one she was distraught - 'I don't want to wear that' 'I will look hiddeous' 'Everyone will take the mick' etc, etc. To be honest she really made us feel guilty and pleaded with us to have the clear ones, but there was no way we could justify the cost. So, train tracks it was. Oh, then when they were fitted she admitted suddenly realised so many of her friends had them! She had the initial discomfort/rubbing/soreness but it does ease off and the end result is most definitely worth it

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NatashaBee · 08/01/2013 00:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

purpleroses · 07/01/2013 20:52

DSD2 (12) has had hers for the last year. She was v anxious beforehand but they've been fine. She does need reminding/nagging to clean them though. DP paid privately for his DD1 to have the clear type of brace (her teeth were less bad than DSD2 so she didn't qualify under NHS). He was prepared to do the same for DSD2 but was told the clear ones weren't actually as effective.

Sparklingbrook · 07/01/2013 20:34

DS1 had two teeth out, he is a bit of a stresser at the best of times but he was fine. The worst bit of the whole thing for him was having the impressions/mould taken, he said it felt like he was gagging and couldn't breathe.

spudmasher · 07/01/2013 20:28

Wynken, good news that they don't affect speech so much. Will tell DD as that is something she was worried for- she may still get the odd VoiceOver!

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spudmasher · 07/01/2013 20:27

Natashabee, DD also has to have teeth out- 4 altogether. How soon after extraction did they fit the brace?? Sending DH for that appointment. I will stay at home and rock gently in a corner.

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spudmasher · 07/01/2013 20:25

Thought so Bruffin. DD is pretty devastated as it will mean no work probably for as long as she has the brace. I have suggested she uses her earnings to pay. She has suggested that will mean she will have to live at home for longer as she will have to save longer for the deposit on a flat.........oh god. Train tracks it is bless her.
And a Waterpik!!!!!

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bruffin · 07/01/2013 20:24

Its dental wax you put on the metal to stop the metal rubbing on the inside of the cheeks.

WynkenBlynkenandNod · 07/01/2013 20:24

DD had a functional appliance for a year which was very hard going at the beginning. She's just turned 14 and now has train tracks since September ( off for tightening tomorrow) which are a walk in the park.

I think she rather likes them now and they don't effect her speech as the others did. She's in a routine with her brushing and she's not self conscious as lots of people at school have them. A fair bit of pain with the functional ones but not a lot with the train tracks. Am also interested in the Waterpik!

NatashaBee · 07/01/2013 20:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

saycheeeeeese · 07/01/2013 20:22

Im currently undergoing invisalign treatment but im not a teen

Happy to answer any questions about those :)

Sparklingbrook · 07/01/2013 20:21

I used cold water once spud it was awful. Warm water is the way to go.

bruffin · 07/01/2013 20:21

Also its nhs or private you cant offset kne against the other.
We hsd to wait for ages to get dd seen. Ee offered to pay private for initial consultation. We were told if we did that we would have to carry on with private.

spudmasher · 07/01/2013 20:20

Wax Bruffin??? A special sort I presume? Applied to gum/ lip or the metal itself?

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Sparklingbrook · 07/01/2013 20:20

I was a bit sceptical, but once you get used to it, it is quite satisfying Wild. You would be amazed what gets blasted out even after teeth cleaning. And I did spray the bathroom a few times accidentally.

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spudmasher · 07/01/2013 20:19

It really does look good doesn't it?
I quite fancy it for myself.....tell me, Sparklingbrook ( I shall rename you Sparklingteeth) what if your teeth are a bit sensitive, might it make them tingle? Is it a bit cold?

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WildThong · 07/01/2013 20:17

Also interested in the waterpik, you may have started something sparkling

bruffin · 07/01/2013 20:16

My dd got hers last august on nhs. She insists on black ones.
First week sore mouth, but sorted with abusol and wax.
Wires get changed every 6 weeks which are painful for a day or so.
We bought her disclosure tablets to make sure she cleans properly.

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