Do you have braces?

Question

Please tell me about your experience with braces, as I'm getting them on my teeth next month. I'm interested to know how much it hurts & what food is forbidden.. etc Anything you want to share!

Answer 1

I'm almost 16 and have had my braces since I was 9. My teeth were all jacked up though, so definatly do not expect that. When you first get them on, your teeth will be sore for the first few days because of the movement of your teeth will start immediately. Just take ibuprofen or something, and it will help. It doesn't hurt to get them on, but the cement they use tastes really really gross. So you will probably want to drink a lot of water to get the taste out. I wouldn't drink something with flavor with it because that will be worse. Every 6-8 weeks or so you will go back and they will change the bands to a different color or you can keep the same color if you want. They will also change the wire every once in a while. They say you cant eat nuts, chew gum, or eat anything sticky or anything like that. Sugar free gum doesn't stick though, so that is a good way to cheat. But don't be freaked out by me saying I've had mine for 7 years or however long its been, my lower jaw isn't developed correctly, so I have a herpst appliance and I have had a bunch of other crap with my braces. But I am a much higher case than most people, so don't worry about a thing. haha. And if you break a bracket (the things on your teeth) its not big deal, they will just stick a new one on, but try not to break them, because it tastes gross like to get it back on and they will get mad after you break them all the time. So just be responsible. Be sure to brush your teeth good too or you will have white spots on your teeth when you get your braces off, and they are pretty much permanent. Good Luck! I hope I was good help :)

Answer 2

I've had braces for 3 years and I got them off on March 23rd. My teeth look really good. Anyways the most forbidden foods are things like saltwater taffy and really hard stuff like biting ice. You will also not be able to eat corn on the cob or a whole apple (you'll have to cut them up). Mine hurt a lot the few days after I got them, but the day I got them didn't hurt at all. Some other important info is DON"T SKIP BRUSHING. I was very guilty of doing that a few times when I didn't have braces, because eating a breath mint worked just fine. However, if you don't brush your teeth when you get your braces, then you will have seriously bad breath. Last thing is that you might talk funny when you first get them, but you'll adapt. Good luck, and don't forget the advil!!!

Answer 3

I have them now and I have had them at 17. The 1st week hurts the most. Then when they tighten them for about a day or 2. Forbidden to eat popcorn, gum, Sticky foods like caramels, gummy bears, starbursts even licorice. Hard Foods like nuts, apples, bagels, carrots and Corn on the cob.
Some times when your teeth move the wire starts sticking out on the back and poke you use lots of wax that the ortho will give you.

Answer 4

Hi, I had them twice, when I was a kid and again later as an adult (my teeth moved after I lost my retainer). It hurts a little each adjustment but really it isn't awful, more of an ache. Your orthodontist will go over food that is forbidden, but it is anything that could damage the wires or make them "pop" off the brackets (gum is a big no no) It really isn't bad, and so worth it. Be sure to do everything they ask, brush all the time, change elastics often.
Good Luck!

Answer 5

Hi, Had my braces put on yesterday, it really isnt that bad at all, ive got the clear ones and all that is uncomfortable is the taste of the sour stuff they put on your teeth! I really is minging! After about an an and a half i was done, the bands on my back teeth scared me and i felt like a proper dougnut afterwards cause it didnt hurt on bit! So far, its been a little achy but if you've had 9 teeth out like i did, its a walk in the park. I was eating bread this afternoon, it took a while but anyone who says to have liquid only is paranoid, just stick to pain relief and you'll be fine...Plus... you get a cool goody bag for all your efforts. That itself is SOOO worth it! Well.. im paying £5,000 for all my treatment so the goody bag is the least they can do! :) Good luck.

Answer 6

well i've had braces for almost a year and a half. They often over react saying you can't eat this or this. Ex. NO GUM! Bull. All my friends have braces and they go through packs and packs of gum each day. They haven't had one single problem. Also, you need to prepare yourself. If you have bad brushing habits, you should get out of that! It's really hard to clean your teeth with braces because of the wires all over the place. You should get listerene as well to help remove germs that your toothbrush couldnt get. Also, get something called a Water Pick. It helps get plaque off your teeth that you can't reach with your tooth brush. When you brush, if your brackets, wires, etc... are not shiny, you brush again!
When you get your braces on, brace yourself! They really hurt for the first 10-15 days. Take advil, motrin, whatever you use to relieve pain. Try to avoid eating things like hamburgers, chips, anything crunchy or thick that you really have to fight through. Try to eat things like soup or rice. They go down real nice, and you don't really have to work that hard to chew them. Also, if your ortho gives you wax, use it! Sometimes the wiring will cut into your lip and it hurts for days! Wax will keep your gums and mouth smooth and free of pain.

Hope that helped you.

Answer 7

They basically hurt for the first few days. As far as food, the first week is terrible. Bitting on hard foods hurts your gums terribly. I would probably stick to yogurt, applesause, and soft foods. You might lose your appetite because there is not much to chose from without inflicting pain. But, after the first week or so EAT WHATEVER YOU WANT. And enjoy the foods you love :D (even gum!...just be a little careful)

Answer 8

I have braces right now, and i promise you, they're not that bad. When you get them on, it seems like it takes them forever, but putting them on doesnt really hurt that bad. The first week will be the worst, just becasue your teeth will hurt. Take tyonol or advil (something like that) and they won't hurt as badly. Foods you probably shouldnt eat: anything really hard, sugary gum (it really does get stuck), and apples (they hurt bad). The orthodontist will give you a list of things you cant eat, including gum. personally, i still chew gum, but sugarfree because it honestly gets stuck in your teeth. Oh! and make sure you brush your teeth really good, cuz you'll get things caught really easily. Good Lucka and remember it will be worth it in the end to have a beautiful smile!!! :D

Answer 9

Well, when you get them, they'll hurt for three days. you'll only have to eat liquid foods. but you'll get used to it. Well, i had mines for 6 years(don't be scared, its a long story for me), and i was able to eat everything. Well my experience is, well normal, you'll still be able to do everything like you usually do. Maybe at first you might get scratches on your gums from the braces at first, but rarely. You will also have to clean your teeth constantly with your tongue because food gets stuck in between them. When you get a tightening, you'll have pain for 1 day, but the pain will be less and gone after 3 days. My friend had it for 1 year and my other friend only had it for 3. I had mines for 6 because of some dumb complications. But don't worry, it's all soooooooooo worth it in the end. You'll have all your teeth straight and you'll finally be able to flash that beautiful smile when they come off.

Answer 10

They hurt the worst the 1st week and a half or so but the actually getting them on process doesn't hurt at all really. They will probably give you this little mouth piece that you can bite down on, that really helped me out a lot. After about a month of time goes by you really just forget that they are there.

Good Luck!