Well, my uncle (a dentist), my dentist and my ortho strongly recommended I get braces. When I got married I snored so much I had to wear a snore guard (contraption from hell) which pushed my lower jaw out. Well that jacked up my completely messed with my bite, teeth alignment and everything else. Now in my mid 40s I once again have braces and it sucks! I remember my first time wearing braces in my twenties, my parents didn't have enough money for aesthetic dentistry when we were younger, so the first day of college I walked in with a mouth full of metal. But that does not suck as much as it does now. Can't eat right, can't drink coffee unless in a straw and I look like a fool.

That's all...you all can laugh at me now.

I won't laugh. That really sucks.
How long will you have put up with them?

Jim

Get some Chick a filet shakes, might as well as enjoy it, they are really good.

Don't get the peach shake - stuff will get stuck in the metal. but the others are okay to snack on.

quote:

Originally posted by marksman41:
Don't get the peach shake - stuff will get stuck in the metal. but the others are okay to snack on.

Stay away from raspberry and strawberry shakes too. The small seeds will really cause you problems. Good luck.

I remember having braces and headgear in my early teens. I'm pretty sure it sucked back then too. I think they just plainly suck. In fact, braces are the only thing that would keep me from going back and reliving my childhood again.

I remember the first thing I ate when my braces came off - corn on the cob! Yum!

My condolences.

I did it at 30. It sucked then. Could not imagine doing it now. Good luck. It’s worth it when it’s over.

I had them too, but much younger, in my teens (13-17 years old). They sucked, but before I got them I could eat corn on the cob through a knothole, so I have to say it was worth it. Partially mitigating it was that some of the orthodontist's assistants were hot. Getting them in your early middle age makes it tougher because the teeth are set in place more rigidly and they have more work to do.

If it makes you feel better, it could be worse... My mother in law got braces in her mid-60s.

I did Invisalign at 24. Wore them for 3 years, retainers every night since. I would have recommended those if it was a possibility.

I certainly don’t envy you. I’m nearly 100% on wearing my retainers because of how much it sucked.

I got them when I was 48 just didnt like my crooked teeth plus I did some cabinet work for an orthodontist and he help convince me. the poking of the wires weekly was not much fun but I got use to them and it wasn't half bad.


I wish I would have wore my retainer longer as I had some movement but, I like the look. hang in there.

I did it from 21 to 23. Not the end of the world. I ended up married to someone I divorced!

I'd do it again if it meant not having to have surgery or serious complications in the future.

I had them in my late 30s into 40, it gets better. I was working on my undergrad and all the kids thought I was in my 20s!

I had them around 4th and 5th grade, not fun. Once a month when they were tightened the only thing I could eat was muffins, pudding, jello and soup. I hadn't worn my retainers in years, a couple years ago in my mid-30s my teeth started to move back, my old retainers broke so I just didn't wear them. I finally got new retainers made and usually forget to wear them at night. Orthodontist assistant said at my age of 37 it would be a problematic experience to get them again and wouldn't yield great results for the price and hassle. I didn't argue with her.

Wish my parents had the money back then, but oh well, life moves on. When I was a kid, I suffered though the bucked teeth jokes, mostly from my older brother. Now, fuck 'em all. Got the love of my life, and I'm good to go!

A water pick might help with the debris removal.
You might also lay off boxing for a while.

A friend always wanted braces and finally went for it. She's 50. She wears a mouth thing 22 hours a day, and they slowly introduce different guards to move the teeth. It's been going on since June, I think. Deep down we both know she's working on her total package, getting ready for husband #3 ("H3").

My teeth are shot. When the aliens land and want humans for examination, I'll be first in line. With a request for new teeth, eyes, and knees.

My wife had braces in her early/mid 30s and it was definitely not a pleasant time for her but the results were worth it in her opinion.

Dave, when life hands you lemons...

C'mon - if you are going to do braces, you owe it to yourself to make them into something fabulous.

My dentist recommended an orthodontist for me, and I’m in my mid-70’s now (5 years or so after he made that recommendation). I’ll get around to it any day now.