Just got braces

[pirateboy]

My braces run $4500 with payment plan. Insurance covered $1500.

[theweatherman]

[ QUOTE ]
There is no pain like it when you get them tightened,

[/ QUOTE ]

Getting braces tightened is about 9 million times better than breaking bones and having them reset.

[Freerollin`]

I had braces in law school. People didn't really seem to mention them, and if they did, I said that I was uncomfortable with how crooked my teeth were. That was the end of every conversation.

Sometimes, I see adults with bad teeth and think about what a good idea it was to get braces.

[TimM]

[ QUOTE ]
Oh and as a general rule double the amount of time that they tell you it will take. After speaking with all my friends who have had them it appears to be the rule. Othodotists are [censored] liars.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes. I got mine almost exactly two years ago, shortly after I turned 38, and still have them. I was originally told it would be 18 months. Now after 24 months I still don't know when they will be off. I am getting tired of having them and want them off. Of course this is partly due to my age, I imagine I'd have more patience at 24.

I have the tooth colored brackets on all but the bottom back teeth. Very few people, even those who know me well, ever bring up the braces to me unless I mention it. I'm not sure if they don't notice or just don't want to say anything. Don't worry about what people will think.

Advice for OP:

Get Oral B Superfloss

Get a small toothbrush and travel size toothpaste to carry around.

Have soft foods available for the few days after each adjustment.

[TimM]

[ QUOTE ]
Any of you guys have trouble kissing after getting your braces on? I haven't made out with a chick since getting them on, and I'm anticipating some awkwardness.

[/ QUOTE ]

I thought it would be but it's not. I'm more worried about bad breath due to trapped food and plaque, so I spend a lot of time flossing, scraping, and brushing before dates. I was stupid because I kind of stopped trying to meet anyone when I first got the braces on, which was really unnecessary. I gave up on that idea once I found the braces were going to be on a lot longer than I was quoted.

[gol4pro]

this needs to be in BBV as a beat.

[lippy]

I had braces from for almost 4 years in my early teens. My teeth weren't that bad, but I had a crossbite.

My suggestions;

- Wear your rubberbands. The more they're on, the earlier you get the braces off.

- Brush after every meal. I'm sure your aware of the dangers of not brushing constantly... your teeth can get ruined.

- Buy wax. Wax is WONDERFUL when you have something poking out and you can't see the ortho to clip/fix it. They sell it at Target/Wallmart etc.

- WEAR YOUR RETAINER. I cannot stress this enough. I wore mine (it was actually a bite plate, but same difference) a lot while I had my braces, which was good. However, I gave up on it about a year after my braces came off. Now, my crossbite is back and getting worse. Since my jaw is almost completely developed, I will probably have to have it broken in order to fix the problem. YAY!

[Mark L]

how often do braces need to be tightened?

[TimM]

[ QUOTE ]
how often do braces need to be tightened?

[/ QUOTE ]

When I started, every 6 weeks. Once I paid off the installments they moved me to every 4 weeks.

[Arbitrage]