Hey everyone! So a couple of weeks ago, I got a message in my tumblr inbox
(here) and if you don't follow me you should (
here). The anonymous follower asked if we could do a Braces 101, and I'm so sorry to the person who asked, because I've been so busy the past couple of weeks, so it was hard to find time to do it but finally, instead of studying, and I got this up for you.
Regarding your questions, I'll try my best to answer your questions! just remember I'm not a professional or anything and this is strictly from personal experience. Others can experience something totally different.
Some background info.. Alyssa and I both have braces. I've had braces for a year and 10 months, and am projected to have mine on for two years. I got it when I was at the end of seventh grade! Some other things.. I used to have really REALLY crooked teeth! I'll try and find a picture of how I looked like before I had braces and insert it somewhere.
When you first get them
Okay, so before you first get them, you have to get moulds and X-rays. None of the 2 hurt at all, but the mould does tastes quite disgusting, so try not to let it touch your tongue! Then, a week before you get your braces, you get these blue bands put in-between all 4 of your back molars called spacers. They create space for the silver rings that are placed in the back of your mouth called crowns I believe. These hurt quite a lot to be honest, as they push your two molars away from each other to create space. A week later, it's time to get your braces! So it takes about an hour-2 hours, and what the dentist does is glue the brackets and then put the wire in. You get to choose your colour. The worse thing is how uncomfortable you feel as your mouth is pretty much open the entire time (being held open by a clamp), and the glue that they use to stick the brackets onto your teeth TASTES HORRIFIC. It really does. Try not to get your tongue anywhere close to it. It smells like fish and rotten stuff, if that helps you imagine it. The application doesn't hurt at all, but after, about a couple of hours, your teeth start to ache. It hurts for a week and two weeks at the most, and the hurt is about 7/10 for the first week. It feels like something is hurting your teeth and that feeling when there's just something annoying your teeth. Stick to soft foods (My mom made hard shelled tacos the day I got my braces! Not fun to eat at all!) So your pretty much fine after, it all depends on your pain tolerance.
Adjusting them every month
Okay, so after every month, you come back to the dentist to get your braces tightened, your wires replaced and the coloured bands removed and replaced. You get to pick the colours for your braces. It doesn't hurt, but it's a little sore after. It doesn't hurt as much as when you get your braces especially if your used to it like me, but it does have it's discomfort.
How to take care of them
Taking care of your braces is very essential because if you don't, when you get your braces off, you are very prone to cavities and small yellow squares on your teeth (which does not look pretty at all)! Try and brush your teeth in the morning, after every meal, and before bed. Try flossing as often as you can (I'm not even gonna bother telling you guys to floss everyday cause who really does that? Lol), because it helps reduce plaque build up. I know it's such a hassle to brush your teeth and floss with braces, but at the end its to worth it! Also, when the dentist gives you rubber bands/elastics, WEAR THEM! Wearing them speeds up your treatment. You need to take initiative! I know this didn't sink in until I was really annoyed and desperate to have my braces off, but you really have to listen to your dentist!
I'll update this post when I get my braces off!! So I hope this helps you, and just remember that braces suck so much but at the end it's so worth it because if you take care of it, you'll have straight and beautiful looking teeth!
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| Right before I got my braces. My teeth are soo crooked! |
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| A year and 10 months later! Treatment is almost finished :) |
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