Tell me about braces

**Tyler** · 06-08-2009 08:10 PM

Yep. Goddamn braces. I'm getting them in 10 days. Here in about an hour i'm getting the spacers put in. Are braces painful? How bad will they hurt? I hear that the upkeep is irritating.

Feedback please?

**kingofclutch** · 06-08-2009 08:17 PM

It's probably not as bad as you may think, but it definitely is painful to eat for a few days to a week after you get them on and when you get them tightened. Braces will likely feel awkward in your mouth for a short time, but after a while you can't even feel them in there. Yeah, braces suck, but it isn't going to be extreme pain, more of slight pain that can get really annoying.

**Adam** · 06-08-2009 08:22 PM

I got Invisalign rather than traditional metal braces. They're invisible (pretty much) and they're comfortable without too much pain. when you change trays, which I can imagine is the same for getting traditional ones tightened, they teeth ache for a while, maybe a couple of days, but it's fine after that

**Tyler** · 06-08-2009 08:23 PM

Do you request Invisalign? or is it recommended by the orthodontist?
Meh either way they already have me scheduled for regular metal braces.

**caz457** · 06-09-2009 02:15 AM

They can be painful, but it's not excruciating. You won't want to eat anything hard for a while after getting them put on. They might also irritate your lips for a while, but your orthodontist should give you some wax or something to put on your brace to stop it if it happens. Your lips will toughen up though, which will stop it too.

Make sure you brush your teeth properly! I know I'm being patronising (sorry

), but a few friends of mine have stains on their teeth for not brushing properly when wearing braces, so I just want to make sure I get the point across.

When you get used to them, you will barely notice them. I almost missed mine when they got taken out. It's all worth it in the end.

**guitarboy** · 06-09-2009 02:19 AM

Why are you getting them so late?
Wait, how old are you?
I got mine off at 15 ;_;
They hurt a bit, depending on how bad your teeth are. Don't worry, the worst pain is after tightening them, but eventually you get used to it and they straighten. Then you get uhm off, and it's all worth it.

**Venomblood** · 06-09-2009 05:58 AM

Basically, you'd rather stab yourself than eat for the first few days. Then after the major pain goes away, you're left with a constant ache and the wires stick out and stab you in the cheeks, making you bleed endlessly. I've got two months left. I can't wait.

**Mes Tarrant** · 06-09-2009 06:08 AM

Don't worry about them. Just brush your teeth extra well, though.

Invisalign is much more expensive, and depending on your specific tooth situation, your ortho might recommend metal ones instead.

Meh. Soooo many people have braces at some point... You'll be fine.

Originally Posted by Venomblood

Basically, you'd rather stab yourself than eat for the first few days. Then after the major pain goes away, you're left with a constant ache and the wires stick out and stab you in the cheeks, making you bleed endlessly. I've got two months left. I can't wait.

I had mine for 5 years and they weren't THAT bad!

**Adam** · 06-09-2009 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by Fableflame

Do you request Invisalign? or is it recommended by the orthodontist?
Meh either way they already have me scheduled for regular metal braces.

I requested them - but I'm 27 and after late development of my wisom teeth and some forced over crowding, I decided to get them myself - only needed them for 8 months, they're finished in two weeks

**Dizko** · 06-10-2009 12:57 AM

They're fine.

Getting them in is the easiest bit. The only pain you will get is like the day after they have been tightened, but a couple of painkillers sorts it. Its certainly nothing horrific.

**Catbus** · 06-10-2009 01:20 PM

I get my braces off in two months, which is hella exciting. Other than a little bit of pain after tightening, the only real annoyance is just getting food caught in them.

**ThreeLetterSyndrom** · 06-10-2009 07:29 PM

Braces aren't that bad, and the pain can be over within 2 days if you handle it correctly. I've had them for 2 years and they have been taking out 2 months ago.
Generally I'd sort of "practice" eating. You work up from eating soft things to harder things until you can eat everything. Sometimes you've got to bite through the pain, though. Chewing gum helps a lot.

If you have appointments every month, your braces won't hurt that much. The first times are the worst, but you'll get used to it

Also, both getting braces in and getting them out will lead to an irritating feeling. It's over in a few days, nothing to worry about