Get braces they said. It would be fun they said. Or exciting. Or something. While the endgame of braces will be wonderful, you are still suffering through many many months of a mouthful of metal. I’ve pulled together 10 things that my orthodontist didn’t tell me (or I didn’t really believe).
Now, I should preface this list with the disclaimer that this has been my experience. Your braces experience might be completely different. You have been warned.
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Adult Braces
- That glue that sticks the brackets to your teeth is the devil. You will have little excess bits throughout your teeth. For days.
- A waterpik isn’t a “nice to have,” it is a must have. Now, this might not be the case if you are getting braces because you have a lot of space between teeth. But if you have crowding, get one of these bad boys. I got my braces put on the week before Thanksgiving (US) and figured I would just wait until Black Friday sales to pick one up. I went to floss the first day and I physically couldn’t floss between several teeth. As in, do not pass go, go back to start. Thank goodness for Amazon Prime shipping.
- Your mouth will feel like those drug commercials that warn of dry mouth. I’ve been drinking water incessantly and still feel dry.
- You won’t be able to close your mouth. And might look like this the first day or so.
- You might get a brace-imposed speech impediment. Sometimes, it will be fine, Then the next conversation you have a lisp and your top lip get stuck to your braces.
- You will be explaining why you got braces. A lot. While adult braces are becoming more common, people will always wonder. This is especially true if visually your teeth look good (aka you don’t have a snaggletooth).
- Your eyes might get strained by the eye rolling you will do. “You can barely see them!” “Your braces aren’t that noticeable!” Ahh yes, my mouthful of metal isn’t noticeable at all. So why was the first thing out of your mouth was asking about braces? (see number 6)
- Like to carry clutches? Hope you like putting them in totes. Your “leave home checklist” will now include a toothbrush, interdental brush, toothpaste, dental wax and if you are a high roller, mouthwash.
- Mashed potatoes will be your friend forever and always.
- Your snacking schedule now revolves around your teeth brushing schedule. Hope you don’t like late night snacks!
Can you tell I just love my braces? I apologize for anyone that came to this post in the hopes of something serious. I suppose there are some nuggets in there. I mean, mashed potatoes are very important post braces, so there is that 🙂