Wearing a brace

[lafrancaise]

I'm soon to be fitted up with a brace (at 42), not for cosmetic reasons but it's a fact that if I don't I risk losing my teeth.I would like to know from those who are in the same situation if it's really embarassing as an adult and if you have problems with speaking etc. Thank you in advance

[lady_p_gold]

Is there any more information you can give us .... I do not have any experience but I am just wondering if you have been offered the chance of implants ???

[samjones39]

Hi I am also wear a brace. I'm 25. I have always had really wonky teeth and was offered the chance to have a brace fitted when I was at school. However I was to embarrassed to have one. When I look back now I think how stupid I was. Since turning 20ish I have completely regretted the decision and decided to do something about it.

My dentist recommended an orthodontist and I went for my first appointment Jan 05. I had the brace fitted in March 05. I am due to get the brace off in just six weeks and I cant wait!!! My teeth look fantastic and although it has not been an experience I would like to repeat it is well worth it.

What kind of brace do you have to wear? Mine was train tracks top and bottom, but I had clear brackets on the top six middle teeth so it doesn't show as much. The brace really rubs to start with but you get used to it and like I say it is worth it.

I had it done completely for cosmetic reasons and also had to pay as this isn't covered on the NHS. The full treatment cost �3k but I have paid this to my orthodontist in installments with no interest. My orthodontist has be great and the treatment fantastic.

Oh I'm so excited only six weeks and I'll have a perfect smile!!!! Good luck with your brace its worth it!!!

[CarolG]

I am 25 and had a brace fitted last June. At first i was horrified and thought that it was the most hideous thing; I kept covering my mouth when I talked which only brought more attention to it! After a few weeks though I was absolutely fine with and friends / family don�t even notice it anymore. I did speak differently for a couple of weeks but that was just as I got used to it � your mouth just feels very overcrowded but again, you get used to that.

Like samjones39 I got a braces fitted for cosmetic reasons, I had wonky teeth and a fang � within a could of months they were completely straight and although costly (�2,500) I can honestly say that it�s the best thing I have ever done with my money. I just can�t wait to get it removed so I can have proper straight teeth for the first time!

Good luck�I was also very apprehensive at first but you�ll be fine.

[lepers]

what would u rather, wear a brace for a year or so, or wear denchers (sp.) for the rest of ure life? :o/

[:Ace:]

As for the problem with speaking, i think it differs from each person. I'm about to get my brace removed and i've had no problem with speaking. Whereas my friend still has his and has developed a sort of lisp. It's kinda like everytime he tries to say a word with an S in he has too much saliva in his mouth. Thats not really a lisp but i'm sure you understand what I mean.

[Sue Balou]

I am 41 and got a brace 11 months ago. In all that time only two people have actually made a comment about them. And even then it was along the lines of "Oh, you've got braces". No-one has made negative comments. I wasn't sure what people would say, if anything, but I needn't had worried. You're doing something positive about your teeth and you should be proud of that.

With regards to problems speaking - I did have fun for the first couple of weeks saying words starting with the letter F, but I did get used to the braces very quickly. I remember phoning my sister when I got home after having my braces fitted, and she said I didn't sound any different at all.

Try this website for more information www.archwired.com it's specifically for adults with braces.

Good luck!

[lafrancaise]

Thank you so much everybody, I don't feel so much of an oddity now knowing there are quite a few adult people out there with braces. I've only met one in my life!

Thank you for your help and support and especially for the website link from Sue Balon. I work with teenagers so know I'll probably get some 'stick' but as you all say , it's worth it. Thank you

[tigilou]

My little sis is 13 and has a brace her teeth were all over the place and within a couple of months they are beautiful so straight and perfect really she has to have a lot more treatment but it is worth everything. I was advised to have one when i was younger and refused cause it aint cool at skool lol but i really really regret it now.

[lafrancaise]

Tigilou; as they always say it's never too late.... I know it's not going to be easy but it'll be lovely to smile and laugh again with no qualms.

Something I'm realising too is that no matter how many wrinkles you've got or sagging cheek bones a smile takes off 10 or 15 years.

[mydogsandme]

hi- I had a brace in my when I was almost thirty- I didn't have the confidence to have one in my teens and suffered because of that for years. I had a removable one on my top teeth and a fixed one on my bottom. You do get used to them and speaking gets easier with time- it will feel strange at first. I have to say it was one of the most positive experiences I've ever had. I didn't even mind if people looked at me occasionally as I knew I was doing something that was positive. Generally as someone here said people just say the obvious- oh you have a brace. The one thing I will say is if you get a fixed, make sure you brush your teeth as well as you can. Good luck and don't worry!