have you had braces?
@ChristenBabyy (105)
United States
February 28, 2008 12:55pm CST
im getting braces on march 4th and i was wondering if you have or have had braces in the past. i got my spacers on three days ago and my mouth is still a little sore and i can barley eat any food that you have to chew. what are your experiences with braces and were they hard to get used to? i also have to have my wisdom teeth cut out at the same time. so i know im going to be in some pain! and i also want to know if i should get colors on them? if you have any advice that would be great!
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3 responses
@killahclaire (3665)
•
28 Feb 08
i had braces for 3 years and I am so glad I did. My teeth were all crowded together and I think I got out six teeth in total before even getting them fitted.
It is painful but so much better than walking around your whole life with bad teeth. I inherited my dads teeth. It totally changed my whole face shape as well.
I think the worst thing about braces was getting food stuck in them and also when the wire pops out at the back and just cuts into the inside of your cheek cos the skin is so soft there.
I had mine fitted about 10 years ago and back then it wasn't very common to have colours fitted so I wasn't even offered that option.
@ChristenBabyy (105)
• United States
28 Feb 08
when the wire pop out do you have to go back to the dentist and get them to fix it?
and what about your lips, did they cut them?
thanks for responding!
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@killahclaire (3665)
•
28 Feb 08
Well I know that in mine that wire started at one side of my mouth and ran along all the segments right round to the other side when it was looped at attached but sometimes when eating the wire would become disattached and it would bounce away from the last few segments so it would be less than an inch short so far away from your lips but would cut into the inside of my cheek and tear it so I would have to make my way to the orthodontist that day and get them to reattach it. Generally though I didn't need to phone ahead and she would just take me between appointments cos it only takes a minute.
This happened alot in the beginning cos the wire was going across a gap where teeth was missing so when chewing hard food the wire would become moved.
It did happen to me though late on a friday night so I just went to the shops and bought myself some gum, chewed it carefully and then wedged it in at the back of my mouth and held it there until I needed to replace it with a fresh bit. It was the only thing I could think of to stop it hurting but it did work.
The other thing is don't be afraid to take painkillers because as they start to strain your teeth they can become sore.
Make sure that after the treatment you where the retainer cos even after you take the brace off your teeth wanna move back to the way they were and I didn't wear mine long enough. Even although they aren't as bad as what they originally were they are certainly not as straight as what they could have been.
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@ChristenBabyy (105)
• United States
28 Feb 08
that gum thing is genius, lol. my cousin didn't wear her retainer and her teeth went back to the way they were. thanks for the advice!
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@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
28 Feb 08
I just got mine off last year and I had an ok time. You get used to it. The hardest part is flossing. You'll be sore the first few times you get adjusted or they change your wires after that your fine. It takes a few months to get used to but they aren't too painful. More uncomfortable than anything. I always had colors too- usually pink or purple or both. I also did colors for holidays and I'm older but I didn't care everyone thought it was cute. If you get clear bands and drink coffee or coke they will turn yellow anyway and that's just gross...Godd luck and you'll be totally happy when you get them off- they are well worth it.
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@doorlight (74)
• Philippines
30 Mar 08
I use interdentals. it's hard to use floss. I just ask my dentist to have teeth cleaning when it's already needed.
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@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
28 Feb 08
Go color girl!! Good luck- one more piece of advice- mashed potatoes are about the easiest thing to eat when they first go on...
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@ChristenBabyy (105)
• United States
28 Feb 08
thanks for responding! and thanks for telling me about the clear bands because i drink both!
@doorlight (74)
• Philippines
30 Mar 08
I have braces now.. three years already, but I'm going to take them off this coming May. I'm excited.
It was very painful from the start, I tell you.. but you will get used to it I think after three months. not sure, but yeah.
I had an over-bite teeth and now my teeth alignment is awesome now. I love rainbow colors. also, gold too.. hmm and silver.. but i think you have to try all the colors.
I'm so glad you are getting them too. take care.
