Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Teenagers

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

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Braces virgin! What do we need to know/do/buy?

51 replies

OinkBalloon · 23/04/2015 18:30

Ds gets braces tomorrow. I know I'll get info from the orthodontist, but would appreciate a heads-up from people who've already been through this.

And is there anything I ought to stock up on beforehand?

OP posts:

Original poster

OinkBalloon · 24/04/2015 08:09

Orthodontist says that the timing should work out perfectly for ds, and he may not need retainers for ever. Definitely until his early/mid 20s, though. Something to do with adjusting his teeth at a certain phase in his bone growth and changeover between milk and adult teeth.

I was wondering about getting a waterpick. We've got an electric toothbrush and a Sonicare already. I don't mind getting another toothcare gadget, but wonder whether (a) are there suitable attachments for the other gadgets we've already got, and (b) are all waterpicks equal, should I get a particular one or is whatever Costco is carrying good?

OP posts:

LIZS · 24/04/2015 08:09

Ds uses teepee brushes to clean behind the wires and around brackets.

Sparklingbrook · 24/04/2015 08:18

I have this Waterpik. It is the best thing ever, a complete revelation. Very addictive.

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 24/04/2015 12:13

Thanks for the info on retainers. Can't wait to tell ds1 he'll have to wear them long term. I have sort of said it'll be for a long while but we'll see how he takes to it

Sparklingbrook · 24/04/2015 12:21

Orthodontist told DS to his face while being very stern DoYou that it would be forever. DS1 was

I do actually really like the Orthodontist plus he is very easy on the eye. He has a reputation for being vv particular and a huge perfectionist. My friend's DS wished to abandon the treatment when the elastics were introduced and he was not happy chappie.

Sparklingbrook · 24/04/2015 12:27

This has reminded me. DS has his prom soon. When he first had the braces fitted in 2012 I actually said 'Ds1 just think you will have great teeth in your prom pics when the braces are off'. And he does.

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 24/04/2015 17:18

Argh, that's lovely Sparkling

When I look back at how uneven ds1's teeth were I can't believe how much they have moved and how straight they are already, it really is amazing what Orthodontists can do.

Sparklingbrook · 24/04/2015 17:23

Yes, when I see old photos I remember the 'before' and it's quite a transformation.

How's it gone Oink?

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 24/04/2015 17:25

Arghh no one has mentioned retainers for the rest of ds's life!! Bloody hell,I hope nhs covers new ones

Original poster

OinkBalloon · 24/04/2015 19:58

It's gone well! He's not in any pain - outside playing frisbee right now.

But he can't get the suction to kiss properly, so he has to 'mwah' instead

OP posts:

Mrsmorton · 24/04/2015 20:02

The teeth are genetically programmed to live where they lived before the orthodontist got involved.

In a few cases they will retain themselves as the bite sort of fixes them in place but I would definitely recommend retainers for ever.

So many people even just on MN complain their teeth moved as they were adults. It's absolutely nothing to do with wisdom teeth, all to do with genetics.

Sparklingbrook · 24/04/2015 20:46

Hi MrsM How many people that start off DC1's age with retainers wear them religiously forever I wonder?

Mrsmorton · 24/04/2015 20:47

Hahahaaa, not many!! It's why adult orthodontics is a massive growth industry.

Bonded retainers are the way forward IMO, I know they're not perfect but they're there and if they break, you're more likely to do something than if you just lose your other ones. Ho hum!!

Retainers or £3k plus for braces as a grown up...

Original poster

OinkBalloon · 24/04/2015 21:23

Ds has a question: you know the little interdental brushes for cleaning behind the wire? Is he meant to use them with toothpaste or without?

OP posts:

Mrsmorton · 24/04/2015 21:48

Either. It's removing the plaque that's crucial, toothpaste will do no harm whatsoever and the fluoride has some antibacterial properties. So yes if practical, or no if not!

Sparklingbrook · 24/04/2015 21:52

Sounds like it all went well Oink. Bet you are relieved. how many weeks til the first adjustment?

Original poster

OinkBalloon · 24/04/2015 21:56

Quite late. Ortho said 8-9w, but first available appointment is 11w.

Thanks for the brushing advice.

OP posts:

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 24/04/2015 22:02

I'm glad it went well.

Ds1 uses the interdental brushes, no toothpaste then brushes his teeth. He has a sonicare toothbrush which is excellent.

Bluebellqueen · 24/04/2015 22:03

My DD was in agony for two days so make sure you have lots of easy to eat foods.

madhairday · 24/04/2015 22:16

My dd had fixed braces fitted today too Oink! She's had twin blocks for the past 18 months to align jaws first so it's already been a long road, another 18 months expected with these so she'll be 16 when they come off. She seems fine, she keeps feeling them with her tongue but not in pain. she chose purple and turquoise and her mates have approved so she's happy :) great advice on this thread. It's going to be hard with the sweets and fizzy drinks ban, but so worth it.

Orthodontics are incredible. Lovely to read the success stories. The block treatment has already achieved so much with dd, her teeth were absolutely awful with 1cm overbite and 'thumb hole' where she sucked her thumb. So grateful for the NHS.

StaceyAndTracey · 24/04/2015 22:16

My DD just took painkillers for the first day , she said it wasn't too bad .

Her orthodontists sold a pack of all the necessary things ( brushes , wax etc ) for £12. I was a bit then when I checked out all the contents online and dicovered that they'd have costs £17 . We just buy replacement stuff from them now .

We are fortunate that DD is able to get all her treatment on the NHS .

She was told that she would have to wear her retainers at night about once a week. Forever . But if they seemed tight , she should wear them every night for a week and her teeth woudl move back .

All in it's been very straightforward so far. She has two extractions which were ok and the braces haven't given her much trouble . But then she was just turned 15 when they were fitted, so old enough to understand and consent to all the treatment and buy into it . That's much harder when you are 12 ( and your evil parents are ruining your life )

Original poster

OinkBalloon · 25/04/2015 09:30

Apparently he woke in pain at 4am and took some paracetamol. Dh is now worrying that the brace might have been put on too tightly. I've told him that the pain is normal and I will worry only if it has not eased significantly by Tuesday. (Big, tough bloke is complete softie if any of his dc are in pain or poorly.)

OP posts:

Mrsmorton · 25/04/2015 09:34

There's a pretty standard sequence of wires that are used. Starting with fairly thin round wires and
Moving up to chunky rectangular ones. It's not really "tightness" it's the grip that the wire has on the brackets that are stuck to the teeth.
Tell DH that the orthodontist has probably done it before!! They will always be sore When the wires are changed.

Hulababy · 26/04/2015 20:05

DD (just turned 13) is about to start the brace route so all this is really handy.

She is at the dentist this week and next to have 3 teeth removed (milk teeth) which are blocking. Then the following week it is back to the orthodontist. She will have braces for 18-24 months, including elastics, and then they say a retainer as well: full time for a few weeks, every day for 1-2 years then 2-3 times a week for ever.

DD qualified for NHS treatment but we are paying private to get white brackets and, more importantly for me, out of school hours appointments.

Sadly due to the mess of DD's teeth she is also likely to loose an adult tooth during the process and will need an implant - but we will deal with that when it happens. She also has teeth in the wrong order too - an incisor and a premolar are switched but due to the roots they can't be switched back so will involve some cosmetic changes to tooth appearances.

I vaguely remember having my brace for about 18 months as a teen, but no one had elastics back then from what I remember, and retainers were never mentioned either - luckily my teeth have stayed in their places and not reverted back at all.

Jessicalovessunshine · 27/04/2015 08:34

I am an adult now, going through round two of full braces ( first lot at 14, but my retainer broke and by the time I got an appt, my teeth had moved so much they said I needed braces again!) I am now paying for my braces as I live abroad.
Anyway, first 7 days for me were agony, I ended up fainting due to lack of food, I could barely suck scrambled eggs. However, they got much better and my monthly tightening a now barely hurt. I use the wax quite often as I sleep on my front and find the braces dent my lips, which causes ulcers if I am not careful.
My braces are due to come off at the end of June. I can't wait

Flip

1 2 3

Swipe left for the next trending thread