Topic: What is your experience with braces?

Have you ever had any? If you have, can you remember you're experience with the first few days? I'm about to get braces on Friday, so I'd like some opinions.

6 years.

They hurt.

Worth it in the end.

I'm going to need them soon, and I'm fully aware of it.
I live in constant fear of that day.

The first few days can be pretty bad, but they don't really hurt most of the time. They're more... uncomfortable, really.

Eh, I was lucky and my teeth weren't that messed up, so I was able to do this InvisAlign-type thing that only took about 5 months. Now I just need to wear retainers at night. _{i'll go stand in the corner now}

Wore them for 2 years only to have 10 teeth knocked out of my skull in a car accident. That was a waste of money.

4 years, and was worth it. I get lots of compliments on my straight white teeth. It kind of sucks, but overall your life wont change much aside from not being to just bite apples, you're going to have to cut them up now. Also flossing takes longer. They can really hurt sometimes and they can poke and scrap up your mouth so make sure to get some tooth wax in case any parts scrap your mouth. Some people talk differently with them on, and others don't. I talked normal with them, most people didn't even know I had them. And I had the cheap kind with the big chunks of metal.

The first couple of days do suck though, and chewing things will hurt. Eat a bunch of soft stuff, avoid things you have to chew alot like steak until your teeth get adjusted. Overall when all this is over you will be happy you had them, and once you get use to them they're not that bad. Like I said the only real change is that you can't just bite into an apple, and that flossing takes longer.

Had 'em for 18mon, just got them off recently actually.

The first few days they hurt like hell with all the wires and brackets and crap rubbing against your mouth, and you can't hardly chew anything at all because they're under pressure or whatever. You'll get used to them being in your mouth after a while, and then it'll only somewhat hurt a bit after you get them tightened. At least that's my experience.

Make sure to keep your teeth clean when you have them on, it's a lot harder to brush and floss with all the stupid metal in your mouth.

Seems like they hurt at first. Just before Christmas too.

Had them for a couple years. Hated them at when I got them on, missed them when I got them off, glad I had them in the end.

I had braces throughout my entire high school years (1999-2003). I also had those rubber bands that keep your teeth lined up.

So glad those years are over.

well i got them when i was very young, got them off, teeth looked great, then five years later they said oh he's ready for phase two, and they wanted to put them on again. they never told us about this phase two, and our insurance won't cover it since i had them once already. The only real problems that i don't like is when the tighten them a lot. hurts for a while

It's really not that bad though, did anybody else have to wear that one thingy wear you would have to tighten it with a key every morning and night?

I hate them. And these stupid rubber bands. And the stupid expander I had to wear. I hate everything involving my teeth.

I noticed you use quite a lot of metaphors and hyperbole. Nothing wrong with that, I just find it funny.

I had to wear a retainer for a few months as a kid. I remember it was quite uncomfortable, and just when my teeth would adjust I'd have to go in for another painful tightening. It wasn't horrible, but certainly not a pleasant experience either.

I've had my braces for 2 years now (got them on Nov. 20th). The first couple of months are hard, the upper brace kept cutting my upper lip, it was horrible. My teeth were sore for days, I couldn't eat anything. Then after about half a year I got them on the bottom row of my teeth, same problems. It cut the hell out of my lower lip, and my teeth were sore. Eventually (and by eventually I mean a year and a half.) I got used to them. Also, it's a pain when one of them comes unglued, seriously.

But, my teeth were so messed up that they actually had to take out some teeth so that they can straighten up. I might get them off by April or May.

Stick to soft foods for the first few days. It will take you mouth a bit to adjust.

Also make sure you get some wax sticks from your orthodontist to help with any metal that rubs against your inner lips.

Had them on for 4 years, then finally got them off. And wouldn't you know it, they got all crooked again somehow. Now I'd say I've had them on for about 5 or 6 years. I'm getting close to taking them off. I honestly can't wait. I've forgotten what it feels like not to have braces.

I never had to wear them.
My teeth have always been pretty straight. I did have a slight case of buck tooth as a kid.
Once I grew out of my baby teeth I was fairly normal.