#bracesblog

[billclintonsshoe]

Top part of the photos is now obviously and bottom is before braces. Massive difference!! I still have another 14 months to go but I am so excited with the changes that have happened already :) perfect teeth here I come!! :) xx

[billclintonsshoe]

Following on from my previous braces post, here are some comparison shots from beginning to just 8 weeks after, the twisted teeth at the bottom are starting to move to fit the out of line teeth in, and the overlapping tooth at the top has started to move the other way. During the process of these teeth moving, I haven't had much pain but some discomfort. At times they get really tight and I could feel the pressure, which made me excited because I knew they were moving! Certain teeth would get sensitive for a few days, due to the other teeth applying pressure as they tried to squeeze in. I had to wait 11 weeks from getting the braces on for my first tightening appointment. The orthodontist said the teeth were moving so well that he would change both wires. He then apologized because I might experience some pain and tightening that night. It was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. I was in the chair for less then 5 minutes while he changed the wire. I was asked if the ends were sharp or if they stuck out and needed to be cut. At the time I thought they were fine. How wrong I was!!! The next day my right cheek hurt so bad from the really sharp bit on the wire poking into my flesh. It was torture of the mouth. I went and bought wax to see if I could cover the end, and the wire was so sharp that when I lost my mouth grip I actually cut the tip of my finger and had a bleeding hole. I haven't had time to go back to the ortho so every now and then I have to pack the wax on the wire and hope it stays so I don't cut up my mouth. After a few days I got an ulcer in my cheek and that was super painful. But now I guess the inner cheek has hardened and I don't really notice it too much. As my bottom teeth moved the sharp bits on the brackets kept cutting up my the inside of my lip, and if I didn't put wax on before I slept I would wake up with huge lacerations, that hurt so badly I couldn't really eat much and my lip swelled. Wax is a savior. And lip balm! My lips dry out really quickly now, I think it's from the braces making them protrude out more or something. I found a mouthwash called savacol that really helps with ulcers and they disappear quickly. It's about $9.00 from any supermarket in Aus. Next I'll post a now photo of my teeth, I'm due for another tightening in just over two weeks! xx

[bracesblog]

So I'm getting braces in a month so I wanted to know how should I prepare my teeth cleaning wise? Also, what should I expect when getting my braces on and afterwards?

Thanks for your question fayyadebola! So exciting that you are about to get braces! A step closer to having the perfect smile! WOO! Don’t be worried before getting braces but be excited to start your new journey! This is my advice for getting braces: It will be painful for the first 2-3 days whilst your’e getting used to your braces. Eat before you go to get your braces on, because when you get them on your teeth will be very sensitive so you’ll only be able to eat very soft foods without your teeth hurting. Your teeth will be very sensitive for the first week, put ice against the brackets that hurt- this will relieve the pressure and pain, also apply orthodontist wax against any parts of the brace that are irritating your gum. And eat smoothies, soup, and soft foods whenever your teeth hurt. Because I had my braces for 7 years, during the painful times I felt as though nothing could be worse than this- but it is SO worth it in the end when you’ll have a beautifulll smile! Best of luck, Rosie, bb x

[bracesblog]

Hi Rosie! I've had my braces on for a year and a half. I asked my orthodontist when I'd be getting them off, but he said he'd be taking them off whenever I'm happy with it. I personally think it's weird he said that, I don't have any medical expertise and know nothing about my teeth. Does the orthodontist usually give the decision-making to the patient?

Hi! Thanks for your question! I think this is quite common, my orthodontist said this. The orthodontist has to take the braces off when the patient asks for them off. However the orthodontist should also give advice and his professional opinion. I thought my teeth looked perfect when I first got my off and persuaded my orthodontist to get them removed (against his recommendation). Once I had my braces off I realised i still had a pronounced over-bite so had to get them again. I asked my orthodontist to take them off when he was sure they were ready - 3 years later they were off! So the orthodontist’s opinion is really important, just ask for his professional opinion. Hope this helps, Rosie, bracesblog 

[bracesblog]

what toothpaste would you recommend for people with braces to use? and how often should a person with braces brush their teeth in a day?

It doesn’t really matter what toothpaste you use, as most toothpaste nowadays has fluoride in it. I would recommend you brush your teeth after every meal, in order to avoid excess plaque. If you are especially worried about plaque build up I would also recommend you use an antiseptic oral cleanser (for exmaple Colgate® Peroxyl®) and floss regularly. Good luck with your braces! 

[bracesblog]

hey! I'm getting braces in a couple of days, I'm more concerned about my GUMS. They're not horrifying, but they're bad! They used to be worse but then i received a cleaning, I'm getting another cleaning in 2 days, do you think my gums will improve with the cleaning? and with more cleaning among the future?

Hi! Thanks for your question! Exciting news about you getting your braces on. Ok, basically ask your dentist to perscribe you with Corsodyl if they see it appropriate- which is really good at treating inflamed gums for braces. The cleaning will defiantly help with your gums, the more regular you have them the better your gums will get. You should also brush well the tops of your gums- where they meet the teeth to stop inflamed gums. Hope this helps, and best of luck with getting your braces on!

[bracesblog]

okay, so I've put in traditional braces yesterday (the anguish!! Seriously, the TENSION ON MY TEETH and the GRATING of my inner bottom lip is just nasty) and when I went online to research how the process works (I'll be wearing my metal death traps for two years), I stumbled upon self-ligating braces. I don't really care about the whole 'appearance' thing while wearing braces, but apparently it's faster and overall better. Is there any way for me to switch to those nicer Damon braces?

Hi! The beginning of the braces process is horrible :(, I can massively sympathise! I’ve switched from normal elastic braces to the Damon braces, which hurt much less and seemed to be more effective. So yes, you can change. However you’ll have to unfortunately pay for the old braces and the Damon braces, which is highly expensive. If this is not an issue then you can do it really easily. Although as your orthodontist hasn’t started you with the newer version of braces, the Damon braces. It may be because that practise doesn’t offer Damon braces, so you may have to switch dental practices. The normal braces are still effective though, so I wouldn’t worry, and the pain you have with the normal braces will go away in about 3-4 days. Hope this helps, if you’ve got any other questions I’d love to help, Rosie, bracesblog xxx

[bracesblog]

I'm getting my braces off after 1 year and 2(ish) months! I was told it would be 1 year 6 months to 2 years. I'm so excited but also nervous. I don't think i will be able to handle the molds without gagging and if i have to wear the retainers at school i'll sound and look silly:/ also, how long until i can whiten them and will i have stains?

How exciting!! You’re so lucky as it’s normally the other way round. I wouldn’t worry about the moulds- I had a very similar thing. I would count the number of leaves on the plant next to me or the lines on the ceiling, or even recite the alphabet backwards, this allowed me to focus on something else whilst the moulds were in my mouth. You’ll most defiantly have to wear retainers full time at first anyway- as otherwise your teeth will move back to how they were before, and retainers will ‘retain’ the alignment created by the braces- it’s therefore really important to wear them often when you first get them off. Many people make this mistake and have to get braces for the 2nd time. I wouldn’t worry about looking silly, I’m sure you wouldn’t! But if you wanted you could get fixed retainers, which is a metal thin wire which is affixed to the back of your teeth which you won’t be able to feel and other won’t be able to see, and it works really well- I’ve got some on the lower set of teeth. You also won’t have to worry about taking them in and out etc (I’ve attached a photo of them). I should think you could get your teeth whitened as soon as you get your braces off, I can’t see any reason why you couldn’t. I wouldn’t worry about stains, hardly any people get them (only if they drink and eat really really sugary foods the whole time whilst having braces.) Even so once you get your braces off your orthodontist will clean your teeth thoroughly- giving them a shine and removing minor stains (you may not need to get your teeth whitened after that). I wouldn’t worry at all! Enjoy it- it’s the best feeling in the world!! Good luck, Rosiexxx