I'm in discomfort

[moe.ron]

Just got braces today, 12 years too late of course. And it sucks. My teeth feel like they're being played around by the hellraiser crew. I tried to eat, but they keep getting stuck on the braces. This sux.

[ZTAngel]

Give it two days and you're teeth won't hurt as much. Every time you get your braces tightened, your teeth will ache for about 2 days. Take a Tylenol...it will dull the pain.
How long do you have to wear the braces for?

[moe.ron]

2 freaking years. That mean I'll 29 when I get somewhat perfect teeth. Blah.

[smiley21]

poor baby. they suck

[Betarulz!]

Welcome to the club

I got braces on for the second time about 3 weeks ago...

My advice to you is to begin drinking heavily

You should listen to me; I'm pre-med


Soup right now is your friend, I usually eat a ton of clam chowder.
Make sure you use that orthodontic wax if you have anything poking until the inside of your lips toughen up.

[Lady Pi Phi]

When I got my braces I lived on applesauce, babyfood, and yoghurt for the first couple of days until the pain went away. I know it sucks, but if it's really bothering you a tylenol will do the trick. Otherwise you just have to wait it out.

[Optimist Prime]

Dude that sucks. Get one of those brushes that you can stick inbetween your teeth. Flossing is imposible with braces and if you don't use the brush thing, you'll get cavaties after their off.

[erniegurl00]

I'm 21, and I just got braces for the first time a few monthes ago. It sucks because I have perfect teeth, but unfortunately I have a horrible TMJ problem.

Anyway, there IS a way to floss your teeth. My regular dentist gave me this little device that you use to floss. I also recommend using some kind of flouride rinse (ACT). Umm...baby food and cottage cheese will become your friends! Like everyone else said, take a bunch of advil about an hour before your orthro visit.

[HotDamnImAPhiMu]

at least at 29 they'll be gorgeous! There's nothing more beautiful than perfect teeth.

[kappaloo]

Do you have wax? Get wax and put it on the back braces - makes eating much less painful.

Remember - braces are truly a good case of "no pain no gain"
A little discomfort now - a beautiful smile later!

(and, btw, get a floss threader - you can slip them between your teeth... if you go to a drug store they'll have them - people who have bridges use them)

[Allie]

Another tip that I found out AFTER 5 years in my braces is, the sore throat spray that numbs. spray it in the cap and use a q-tip to rub it on your gums for temp pain relief