First Week With Braces

This week has been really hard - the pain is not overwhelming but rather constant and nagging. It prevents you from focusing properly on things and I have not felt like myself at all. I had a problem with one of the back fixtures coming away and had to go back to get that re-cemented.

It's exactly one week now since I had it attached and today, for the first time, I have had a very comfortable day!! It is such a relief to finally feel that I am used to it being there.

If you have this type of brace you just need to be patient through the first period of adjustment - as painful and uncomfortable as it may be, you WILL get used to it!

I am surprised at how many people are watching my video logs on YouTube - I have had 3,500 views in just 6 days! Mine seems to be the only vlog about lingual braces which is perhaps why it is becoming popular. It's great to know that it is helping other people!

For my next video, I am planning a video of the top ten things you need to get you through your first week!

I am now looking forward to the next few weeks to see any further movements in my lower arch and to get my upper set fitted in 3 weeks!

TIPS FOR SORE TONGUE:
1) Use wax to provide instant relief
2) Use mouthwash to keep irritated areas of the tongue clean
3) Talk less!
4) Try to ignore the new appliance rather than feeling it with your tongue constantly (tempting!)

Here are links to my videos about my first few days with the lower set:

First Day Part 1
First Day Part 2
First Few Days

Having my lower set of braces fitted

Ooh goodness what a day!

I went to have my braces fitted today. I felt really nervous - it was all I could think about. When I arrived, I brushed my teeth and then the orthodontist was really caring and chatted to me about what he was going to do. He showed me models of my teeth that had been sent from Germany - one to show my teeth as they are, and another showing my teeth as they will look! I was so excited to see that! If you have a conventional brace you don't get to see what they're going to look like so that's certainly worth spending the extra money on! Whenever it's painful, I can look at that and remind myself of how gorgeous my teeth will look next summer!

The box that the brace and moulds arrived in from Germany.

3D model showing my teeth now - before treatment.

3D model of how my teeth will look when they are finished!! WOW! You can't tell on here but the overbite is gone too!




My brace in its casing ready to be fitted!

My orthodontist fully prepared my lower set of teeth for the braces by polishing them; "sandblasting" them; painting on a green gel (which I think was to sanitise them) which was left on for 1 minute; and painting them with a coat of varnish. Inbetween each of these steps, he washed them with a little jet wash and his assistant sucked out any excess moisture with a suction tube.

This process took nearly an hour and I was on my back with my lips in a spacers to keep my mouth open and tongue pushed back with a piece of plastic to keep it in the back of my mouth. I had to try really hard to relax my tongue which was hard, especially when the saliva drips backwards and you want to swallow, but can't. I had to concentrate on breathing through my nose.

Both the orthodontist and his assistant kept telling me what was happening, which was helpful.

Then he put the cement into the tray that the brace was sitting in and applied it to my teeth with some pressure. He then shone a special blue light at each of them to set the adhesive. This took a few minutes and felt warm. He used a screen to protect his eyes, which enabled me to see what was happening in its reflection!

When the brackets were in place, he had to pick away the clear casing. This was tricky and some of the casing didn't come off - later I had to tell him where I could still feel it so it could be removed.

I was then so relived to have the lip spacers taken out and was able to sit up and wash my mouth out as come of the chemicals - particularly the abrasive powder ("sandblasting") tasted salty and unpleasant. At this point, I felt my brace for the first time with my tongue. It was sharp and rough in my mouth. A thought it might be sharp as it was not finished, but actually it is quite sharp and grazes your tongue a lot!

Finally, the orthodontist fitted my wire which was tricky and one twisted canine could not be attached -he has to wait for the teeth to start to move in order to attach it. The other canine is attached and I can certainly feel the difference now, as one starts to move!

I was then given lots of tips about how to clean and maintain it, how to cope with soreness and problems and, of course, tips on eating.

Finally...my orthodontist gave me a present...an iPod Shuffle!! I was thrilled as I haven't got one and was a great treat to have for having my brace on!

Fitting Tips:

• Use vaseline for the day before so that your lips will stretch without getting sore.
• Breathe through your nose. (If you have a blocked nose, re-schedule!)
• Try to relax and put your trust in your orthodontist.
• Think about something nice that you're looking forward to - like having a truly beautiful smile!