I thought I would do a post series on my braces because at 23, you don't see a lot of people with them! LOL! I feel that by writing these posts, maybe I can help those who are getting braces see what they will go through and just give some insight.
Also, have a lot of complaining to do! Haha!
So, I never really had bad teeth. Maybe a cavity or two here and there but nothing major. Till two years ago I didn't even need braces! I still don't have really bad teeth, like some people might have.. No underbite or overbite.. No teeth competing for space. What my teeth have developed over the last few years is a bunch of gaps!
I don't know when they started coming in but they did. My mum just noticed one day and we decided to go have it looked at. The dentist suggested wires for 6-10 months or something called "Smile Design" which basically requires root canals and veneers. So obviously, I was like NO! Braces please!!
Lucky for me, I didn't have to get any teeth removed because I had gaps, didn't need more! LOL!
First the doc got a mold of my jaw(s?) I was legit freaked out because of much mouth stretching. X( but that got over soon!
So, last week, after many cancelled appointments, I finally went in for the braces. I got ceramic braces, they are much less noticeable than metal but are much more expensive. :(
The procedure was long but not very painful. I felt some pain only when he was trying to fix the metal bands (that hold the wire) around my molars... That actually, still hurts! ;n;
The doctor mentioned that even though I had a nice smile, you can see how crooked it is actually by following the wire. :/
That night I was more or less fine but woke up next morning to a swollen face and very sensitive painful teeth! I couldn't even brush properly! URGH! I had sooo many painkillers those first 3-4 days..
It won't be just the teeth that hurt, oh no! I cut my inner cheek on the metal band and my tongue too!
Thankfully, these sores won't last long and as your mouth gets accustomed to braces, it won't hurt at all! :D
But my teeth! Oh. My. GOD! They are a different story. My front two teeth still hurt as does my left molar! Now, this pain varies with everyone. It lasts from 2-3 days to a week.. Mine has gone beyond a week now! *sobs*
Eating is still hard and believe me, you need to stock up on soups, ice cream, jelly, pudding and instant noodles for nourishment but slowly you can build up. I can eat rice and dal fairly easily now and some veggies too if they are soft and well cooked. Pasta is a good option! It took me an hour to just eat the first week but I've gone up to 30 minutes! LOL!
If you're Indian like me, you probably have turmeric in your food... That can discolour your ligatures (those are the little bands holding the wire to the brackets.) So try to get silver or coloured ligatures rather than white or clear.. I have clear ones and now they look yellow! D: Caffiene can do this too btw!
You might lose some weight too! In 4 days I had lost 6 pounds! D: Good thing, but scary when it is so drastic!
You WILL miss crunchy food! I miss my potato chips and fried bombil (Bombay duck) but just remind yourself it's all for the greater good! I'm seeing a difference already!
Hopefully, I'll manage small potato chip pieces soon but not yet.. Lets see if I manage next week! I hope I didn't bore you! Thanks for reading. :)
♥
Also, have a lot of complaining to do! Haha!
So, I never really had bad teeth. Maybe a cavity or two here and there but nothing major. Till two years ago I didn't even need braces! I still don't have really bad teeth, like some people might have.. No underbite or overbite.. No teeth competing for space. What my teeth have developed over the last few years is a bunch of gaps!
 |
| I can't find a picture of before, so this is a proxy! I will find one next time! :) |
I don't know when they started coming in but they did. My mum just noticed one day and we decided to go have it looked at. The dentist suggested wires for 6-10 months or something called "Smile Design" which basically requires root canals and veneers. So obviously, I was like NO! Braces please!!
Lucky for me, I didn't have to get any teeth removed because I had gaps, didn't need more! LOL!
First the doc got a mold of my jaw(s?) I was legit freaked out because of much mouth stretching. X( but that got over soon!
So, last week, after many cancelled appointments, I finally went in for the braces. I got ceramic braces, they are much less noticeable than metal but are much more expensive. :(
The procedure was long but not very painful. I felt some pain only when he was trying to fix the metal bands (that hold the wire) around my molars... That actually, still hurts! ;n;
The doctor mentioned that even though I had a nice smile, you can see how crooked it is actually by following the wire. :/
 |
| Sorry about naked lips! ;A; |
That night I was more or less fine but woke up next morning to a swollen face and very sensitive painful teeth! I couldn't even brush properly! URGH! I had sooo many painkillers those first 3-4 days..
It won't be just the teeth that hurt, oh no! I cut my inner cheek on the metal band and my tongue too!
Thankfully, these sores won't last long and as your mouth gets accustomed to braces, it won't hurt at all! :D
 |
| I don't have the rubber band but just a diagram of what's going on.. |
But my teeth! Oh. My. GOD! They are a different story. My front two teeth still hurt as does my left molar! Now, this pain varies with everyone. It lasts from 2-3 days to a week.. Mine has gone beyond a week now! *sobs*
Eating is still hard and believe me, you need to stock up on soups, ice cream, jelly, pudding and instant noodles for nourishment but slowly you can build up. I can eat rice and dal fairly easily now and some veggies too if they are soft and well cooked. Pasta is a good option! It took me an hour to just eat the first week but I've gone up to 30 minutes! LOL!
If you're Indian like me, you probably have turmeric in your food... That can discolour your ligatures (those are the little bands holding the wire to the brackets.) So try to get silver or coloured ligatures rather than white or clear.. I have clear ones and now they look yellow! D: Caffiene can do this too btw!
You might lose some weight too! In 4 days I had lost 6 pounds! D: Good thing, but scary when it is so drastic!
You WILL miss crunchy food! I miss my potato chips and fried bombil (Bombay duck) but just remind yourself it's all for the greater good! I'm seeing a difference already!
 |
| I still purdy? *hopeful* =D |
Hopefully, I'll manage small potato chip pieces soon but not yet.. Lets see if I manage next week! I hope I didn't bore you! Thanks for reading. :)
♥