Re: First day with braces on

[Guest guest]

Hi Samara,

I am two weeks into my braces, and I am 52 years old. I totally

understand how you feel - both the shock and psyche part. Although

in my case, it is kind of nice to have the " younger " look!! lol

Good luck with this. I hope you get used to them as quickly as I

did. The only thing that is annoying is flossing the darned

things! UGH!

Hugs,

Fran

> Hello All-

> So I got my braces on today. It didn't hurt all that much,

although my

> psyche hurts a little bit I think I'm just in shock that I am

27

> years old and in braces again. And it doesn't help much that I am

> currently single, and with no prospects in sight. I feel like

this is

> going to be a completely dateless year for me. If you know of any

men

> in the DC area that like the awkward teenage years look, send them

my

> way

>

> Hope everyone else is doing well with their recoveries and anyone

going

> through surgery now.

>

> Samara

[Guest guest]

-Samara - Congratulations and welcome to the Braces Club!! I've been

in braces 6.5 weeks now, and my teeth are moving like crazy (it's those

Continuous Force Wires!) Keep Positive or your teeth won't get in gear!

And don't worry about the whole dating thing: I read someplace that men

find women in braces very sexy! I'm 47, by the way, and also single.

Use lots of wax tonite. Hang in there - the first week is the worst.

Take care. ~~~~~~ Diane (Idaho) :-)#) emoticon for Happy With Braces-

- In orthognathicsurgerysupport , " sammyara1977 "

<sammyara1977@y...> wrote:

> Hello All-

> So I got my braces on today. It didn't hurt all that much, although

my

> psyche hurts a little bit I think I'm just in shock that I am 27

> years old and in braces again. And it doesn't help much that I am

> currently single, and with no prospects in sight. I feel like this

is

> going to be a completely dateless year for me. If you know of any

men

> in the DC area that like the awkward teenage years look, send them my

> way

>

> Hope everyone else is doing well with their recoveries and anyone

going

> through surgery now.

>

> Samara

[Guest guest]

Hello Fran - Well, I see you've made it to the two-week mark -

Congratulations! I'm at the 6.5 week mark, and things do get easier.

So, you have your first adjustment appointment coming up in a few

weeks? It hurts a little bit when they take the o-rings off, so take

pain meds beforehand. Oh, and I don't floss - I use " go-betweens "

instead. My OD told me it was okay to use them rather than get the

floss stuck in between my teeth. They are a small Proxa-brush type

thing. My OD was happy with how clean my teeth are. My next Ortho

adjustment is Oct. 4th. Take care. ~~~ Diane (Idaho)

> > Hello All-

> > So I got my braces on today. It didn't hurt all that much,

> although my

> > psyche hurts a little bit I think I'm just in shock that I am

> 27

> > years old and in braces again. And it doesn't help much that I

am

> > currently single, and with no prospects in sight. I feel like

> this is

> > going to be a completely dateless year for me. If you know of

any

> men

> > in the DC area that like the awkward teenage years look, send

them

> my

> > way

> >

> > Hope everyone else is doing well with their recoveries and anyone

> going

> > through surgery now.

> >

> > Samara

[Guest guest]

Hi Samara

Welcome to the land of braces :0

I just thought I'd shoot you a quick email to say that at 27 I felt

the same way you did. Also single, I pretty much wrote off the next

year of my life to singledom...however I thought you might be

interested to know I had one guy come on to me shortly after having

the braces put on who clearly wasn't detterred and just recently I

started dating a guy who also had no problems with my braces - he's

been very nice about it all and its definately me who made a bigger

deal out of it. and fyi, he mentioned one night that he can't even

tell I'm wearing braces when we kiss - so don't let them stop you

having fun ;0

Joanna

> Hello All-

> So I got my braces on today. It didn't hurt all that much, although my

> psyche hurts a little bit I think I'm just in shock that I am 27

> years old and in braces again. And it doesn't help much that I am

> currently single, and with no prospects in sight. I feel like this is

> going to be a completely dateless year for me. If you know of any men

> in the DC area that like the awkward teenage years look, send them my

> way

>

> Hope everyone else is doing well with their recoveries and anyone going

> through surgery now.

>

> Samara

[Guest guest]

Samara,

I'm sure you look a lot cuter than you think! I actually got hit on by

quite a lot of blokes when I had my braces put on a year ago (was 26,

now 27). The most important thing to remember is not to stop smiling.

Carry on smiling and the world will be yours for the taking....mr.

right will come along when you least expect it, with or without braces.

Sara

> Hello All-

> So I got my braces on today. It didn't hurt all that much, although

my

> psyche hurts a little bit I think I'm just in shock that I am 27

> years old and in braces again. And it doesn't help much that I am

> currently single, and with no prospects in sight. I feel like this

is

> going to be a completely dateless year for me. If you know of any

men

> in the DC area that like the awkward teenage years look, send them my

> way

>

> Hope everyone else is doing well with their recoveries and anyone

going

> through surgery now.

>

> Samara

[Guest guest]

Thanks for that email Joanna! It was very encouraging!

Samara

Joanna Skinner wrote:

Hi Samara

Welcome to the land of braces :0

I just thought I'd shoot you a quick email to say that at 27 I felt

the same way you did. Also single, I pretty much wrote off the next

year of my life to singledom...however I thought you might be

interested to know I had one guy come on to me shortly after having

the braces put on who clearly wasn't detterred and just recently I

started dating a guy who also had no problems with my braces - he's

been very nice about it all and its definately me who made a bigger

deal out of it. and fyi, he mentioned one night that he can't even

tell I'm wearing braces when we kiss - so don't let them stop you

having fun ;0

Joanna

> Hello All-

> So I got my braces on today. It didn't hurt all that much, although my

> psyche hurts a little bit I think I'm just in shock that I am 27

> years old and in braces again. And it doesn't help much that I am

> currently single, and with no prospects in sight. I feel like this is

> going to be a completely dateless year for me. If you know of any men

> in the DC area that like the awkward teenage years look, send them my

> way

>

> Hope everyone else is doing well with their recoveries and anyone going

> through surgery now.

>

> Samara

[Guest guest]

Samara,

I'm 25, going on 26, and married with 3 kids. I've been in braces

for a year and a half, and even when my kids are with me have gotten

hit on several times. My 15 year old niece thinks that it happens

more to me than to her. The majority have been teenagers (LOL!) and

a few early twenties and thirties. Don't worry, I can't tell you

how many people have told me I look cute with braces. Keep a

positive attitude and I think you'll be surprised at how little

everyone else even notices the braces.

Connie

> Hello All-

> So I got my braces on today. It didn't hurt all that much,

although my

> psyche hurts a little bit I think I'm just in shock that I am

27

> years old and in braces again. And it doesn't help much that I am

> currently single, and with no prospects in sight. I feel like

this is

> going to be a completely dateless year for me. If you know of any

men

> in the DC area that like the awkward teenage years look, send them

my

> way

>

> Hope everyone else is doing well with their recoveries and anyone

going

> through surgery now.

>

> Samara

[Guest guest]

Hi Samara,

Congrats on getting your braces on. That was quick. If it makes you

feel any better, I was 29 and single when I got my braces on. Within

a year, I met and married my husband. I didn't even look like a

teenager, I looked more like 12. In my opinion, if a man is put off

by your braces, then that's someone who is not worth dating anyway.

Have fun in the dating world!

> Hello All-

> So I got my braces on today. It didn't hurt all that much,

although my

> psyche hurts a little bit I think I'm just in shock that I am

27

> years old and in braces again. And it doesn't help much that I am

> currently single, and with no prospects in sight. I feel like

this is

> going to be a completely dateless year for me. If you know of any

men

> in the DC area that like the awkward teenage years look, send them

my

> way

>

> Hope everyone else is doing well with their recoveries and anyone

going

> through surgery now.

>

> Samara

[Guest guest]

Hi Diane,

I remember you telling me during those first few days that you do

get used to braces. In my head I knew this, but I really needed the

support at the time! lol Thank you for that. And you were

correct. I still don't LOVE having braces, but until I have to

clean them after eating, I often dont remember I have them. I do

have a slightly annoying habit of resting my upper lip on my upper

brace! I don't know why I do that, but I am working hard to get rid

of that attractive grimace! UGH! lol! I try to catch myself when

I am doing it, and then to purposely remove my lip from the ledge

and close normally, but when I am driving, or working around the

yard, it seems I more or less constantly do it without meaning to!

haha Oh well. I guess DH and the boys will just have to deal with

it. I really hope I don't do it in public though.

I don't have O rings yet. Just the continuous wires. I do have

hooks on my brackets though, and I was told that later they will

augment the wires with some non latex bands. I am latex

intollerant, so I can't use rubber bands or anything with latex

content. It was one of the things that will make a difference post

op too. I will let you know when they add the other type bands. I

am really curious what they will be like.

You go in about 3 weeks before I go in for my next adjustment. I

can't wait to hear what you find out. You are definately leading

the way right now!

Hugs,

Fran

> > > Hello All-

> > > So I got my braces on today. It didn't hurt all that much,

> > although my

> > > psyche hurts a little bit I think I'm just in shock that I

am

> > 27

> > > years old and in braces again. And it doesn't help much that

I

> am

> > > currently single, and with no prospects in sight. I feel like

> > this is

> > > going to be a completely dateless year for me. If you know of

> any

> > men

> > > in the DC area that like the awkward teenage years look, send

> them

> > my

> > > way

> > >

> > > Hope everyone else is doing well with their recoveries and

anyone

> > going

> > > through surgery now.

> > >

> > > Samara

[Guest guest]

I don't think this is a really " worthy " comment, but apparently it's

true, for those who are feeling unloved and lonely and newly in

braces: Some guys and some gals apparently find the full metal mouth

a real turn-on. I wouldn't trust the attraction that drew anyone to

me for such a reason, but hey, I may be wrong, and those brackets

and wires might be your intro to mr. or mrs. right. Or even ms.

right.

Second: On flossing. It's a pain. I did find that Proxabrushes, and

especially the travel ones (Oral B makes some, and so does ,

and you may be able to buy them in bulk online) were wonderfully

helpful. Still do, for that matter.

For real floss, be sure to shop the dental section of your drug and

grocery stores. I liked Glide floss threaders the best of all.

They're pre-cut lengths of easy-glide floss. Expensive, but

convenient. There is also Thornton proxy floss, or some such name,

which is larger and fuzzy and expands. It's good for those who have

wider spaces. And there are also the Stimudents, which I feared, as

i was afraid I'd knock something askew.

I also used Prevident (GelKam is another name for a similar product)

fluoride past twice a week, and Gly-Oxide, a hydrogen peroxide

product -- and I can't remember how often I used that one. I still

use some of these things. I went into braces because my bite and

irregular teeth were contributing to significant periodontic

trouble, and all of these were helpers.

And, sigh, I flossed faithfully, patiently. It took me about a half

an hour a night, but I gave it less time in the morning and at work,

although I cleaned after eating every single time. (Well, almost!)

Cammie

> > > > Hello All-

> > > > So I got my braces on today. It didn't hurt all that much,

> > > although my

> > > > psyche hurts a little bit I think I'm just in shock that

I

> am

> > > 27

> > > > years old and in braces again. And it doesn't help much

that

> I

> > am

> > > > currently single, and with no prospects in sight. I feel

like

> > > this is

> > > > going to be a completely dateless year for me. If you know

of

> > any

> > > men

> > > > in the DC area that like the awkward teenage years look,

send

> > them

> > > my

> > > > way

> > > >

> > > > Hope everyone else is doing well with their recoveries and

> anyone

> > > going

> > > > through surgery now.

> > > >

> > > > Samara

[Guest guest]

Samara,

I am excited for you. Just think you are on your way. You could still

be waiting with me. You'll get used to the look and forget all about

it. I don't think people really notice braces anymore.

Rene

> Hello All-

> So I got my braces on today. It didn't hurt all that much, although

my

> psyche hurts a little bit I think I'm just in shock that I am 27

> years old and in braces again. And it doesn't help much that I am

> currently single, and with no prospects in sight. I feel like this

is

> going to be a completely dateless year for me. If you know of any

men

> in the DC area that like the awkward teenage years look, send them my

> way

>

> Hope everyone else is doing well with their recoveries and anyone

going

> through surgery now.

>

> Samara

[Guest guest]

Hi there, Fran - I rest my upper lip on my brackets too, but I think

I'm doing it for a different reason: it's a great way to open my

mouth and " retensionize " my archwires. My Gynecologist told me that

opening your mouth adjusts the tension on the archwires, so talking,

eating, and just opening your mouth for no reason all help. That was

what his OD told him when he had braces. I think there's some truth

to this because after doing it, I feel a renewed tension and pressure

on my teeth. I also like to run my tongue over the top brackets, and

let my tongue play with the spring that spans my extraction site.

Hey, gotta have some " fun " with these braces, as I'll probably have

them on for the next fifteen months.~~~~~ Diane-- In

orthognathicsurgerysupport , " fran "

<franesmith2000@y...> wrote:

> Hi Diane,

> I remember you telling me during those first few days that you do

> get used to braces. In my head I knew this, but I really needed

the

> support at the time! lol Thank you for that. And you were

> correct. I still don't LOVE having braces, but until I have to

> clean them after eating, I often dont remember I have them. I do

> have a slightly annoying habit of resting my upper lip on my upper

> brace! I don't know why I do that, but I am working hard to get

rid

> of that attractive grimace! UGH! lol! I try to catch myself when

> I am doing it, and then to purposely remove my lip from the ledge

> and close normally, but when I am driving, or working around the

> yard, it seems I more or less constantly do it without meaning to!

> haha Oh well. I guess DH and the boys will just have to deal with

> it. I really hope I don't do it in public though.

>

> I don't have O rings yet. Just the continuous wires. I do have

> hooks on my brackets though, and I was told that later they will

> augment the wires with some non latex bands. I am latex

> intollerant, so I can't use rubber bands or anything with latex

> content. It was one of the things that will make a difference post

> op too. I will let you know when they add the other type bands. I

> am really curious what they will be like.

>

> You go in about 3 weeks before I go in for my next adjustment. I

> can't wait to hear what you find out. You are definately leading

> the way right now!

> Hugs,

> Fran

>

>

> > > > Hello All-

> > > > So I got my braces on today. It didn't hurt all that much,

> > > although my

> > > > psyche hurts a little bit I think I'm just in shock that

I

> am

> > > 27

> > > > years old and in braces again. And it doesn't help much that

> I

> > am

> > > > currently single, and with no prospects in sight. I feel

like

> > > this is

> > > > going to be a completely dateless year for me. If you know

of

> > any

> > > men

> > > > in the DC area that like the awkward teenage years look, send

> > them

> > > my

> > > > way

> > > >

> > > > Hope everyone else is doing well with their recoveries and

> anyone

> > > going

> > > > through surgery now.

> > > >

> > > > Samara

[Guest guest]

Hi Samara

I know what you feel like. I got my braces back on to correct

crowding in the front teeth when I was given the suggestion to get

ortho surgery as well...so I was definetly, and still am not really

happy about the whole thing. I've had mine on since June 04, it goes

by pretty quicly and much like you I'm single and just hope it will

all be over soon so I can gain back my confidence and not feel that

akwardness as well.

Youri

> Hello All-

> So I got my braces on today. It didn't hurt all that much,

although my

> psyche hurts a little bit I think I'm just in shock that I am

27

> years old and in braces again. And it doesn't help much that I am

> currently single, and with no prospects in sight. I feel like

this is

> going to be a completely dateless year for me. If you know of any

men

> in the DC area that like the awkward teenage years look, send them

my

> way

>

> Hope everyone else is doing well with their recoveries and anyone

going

> through surgery now.

>

> Samara