Questions about braces...

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2003
Questions about braces...
11
Sun, 01-13-2008 - 2:35pm

My DS is 12 and in 7th grade. He's getting braces on Monday. My DH had braces as a kid, but no one in my family had them, so I really don't know what to expect.


The ortho guy said it would only take about an hour or so to put them on and that DS should take some Advil/Tylenol right before he comes in. This should help with any pain during or immediately following the appointment. Will there be a lot of pain throughout the rest of the day/night? Will the next day be worse?


I have friends whose kids have braces and they said none of their kids had much problem. Usually after each tightening the kids reported pain, but it usually only lasted a day or less.


So on our initial first night w/ braces, what should I fix to eat? I was thinking spaghetti. Any other ideas for future reference? Mashed potatoes? What types of foods do/did your kids eat after getting braces.


Like I said, this is a whole new thing for me and I would like to make it as painless as possible.


Thanks for any input.


Trish

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 01-13-2008 - 3:07pm

Ahhh, its been almost a year for us. The first day is not too bad. She came home, felt a little sore but ate a pretty normal dinner (no steak but I think we had pasta as well). Then came the next day. Wooo mama. She was in alot of pain (but refused to take anything for it so I was not very sympathetic). But the worse for her was the inside of her mouth was completely shredded from the braces. She was tasting blood all day (also was the day of the regional volleyball tournament) so she went all day drinking water and I think ate a bit of pudding. She was in rough shape. But then the inside of her mouth toughened up and that hasn't been a problem since. But for about 3-4 days she hurt bad. Even touching the teeth with a spoon or fork hurt. Now when she's had a tightening the hurt lasts about 2 days and its not as severe as that first time.


She eats mashed potatoes, chicken noodle soup (or anything kind of soft), shepherd's pie, some pasta, pudding, yogurt. Just nothing that requires biting and chewing. So yes it hurts but if they take the tylenol first it should be better. I have a child who refuses to swallow pills and refuses to believe that it would help so I don't allow much whining. (mean mom) But by Friday he'll be fine. She talked funny at first because of getting used to moving her lips over the braces but after a couple of weeks you couldn't tell.


Good luck.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-31-2007
Sun, 01-13-2008 - 6:29pm

Trish,


Hey before I went back to school I was a CDA (certifies dental assistant) only did it for a year lol Anyway what you are actually doing with braces is in miniscule amounts




iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2003
Sun, 01-13-2008 - 9:41pm

Thanks Tam and Beaches for your replies. I'm sure I'm probably more worked up about this than he is!! I've stocked up on jello, pudding and yogurt. so at least there will be something he can eat.


We bought him a water pic a week or so ago and his ortho said that would be great for him to use. He saw his regular dentist a few days ago and she also gave him some pointers.


Beaches, no he didn't get spacers. I'm not really sure what they are other than something that goes between his teeth. I do know my nephew had spacers about a week before he got braces. Is this something that some kids get and some don't, depending on the method of treatment? See, I told you I was clueless!


DS also plays the saxophone in the school band, so I'm sure this will be quite an adjustment for him. I hope his band teacher isn't too hard on him in the beginning.


Thanks again for your input.


Trish

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-31-2007
Sun, 01-13-2008 - 9:49pm

Trish,


lol you are funny. Yes spacers do go between the teeth to make room. Yes some kids need them and some do




iVillage Member
Registered: 11-20-2006
Sun, 01-13-2008 - 9:50pm

I am glad you asked about this as DD's go on this Tuesday! Her doc said it would take at least


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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-28-2004
Sun, 01-13-2008 - 10:56pm

Hey Trish.


just go with what your ortho said.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 01-14-2008 - 6:49am

Aly didn't have any problems from the actual braces when they first put them on (even though I thought she did), but for a whole week, she had a wire poking her in the back and didn't know better.

So, MAKE SURE when they ask him if he has any wires poking him, he knows what they're talking about.













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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-30-2003
Mon, 01-14-2008 - 7:21am

Delana,


Good luck on Tuesday. I hope it all goes well. I hear you about needing pain relief after making payments. We had to put $1,350 down and then pay $168 for 24 months!! We will get a bit of that back from our dental insurance (not much!), but this maxes out DS's "lifetime" ortho benefits through our insurance. Any other orth work will be straight out-of-pocket.


Thanks again for everyone's advice. I'll post an update later.


Trish

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-29-2003
Mon, 01-14-2008 - 11:06am

I had braces as a kid and DD has already gone through a round of braces starting at age 8...so I've been through it on both ends.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2006
Mon, 01-14-2008 - 4:26pm

Hi Trish....


My DD is about to get braces in about 2 months herself.

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