Parents of kids who have/had braces.....

[mommaU4]

We found out that our DD11 is going to need braces. We actually met with the orthodontist yesterday to get some info and get the ball rolling.

I was hoping to hear from some parents whose kids either have or had braces, with any helpful hints or tips you might have to share. As in, "Make sure you do ________." Or "Whatever you do, don't _________."

I realize we'll get all sorts of info from the orthodontist himself, but sometimes having first hand experience you learn certain tricks that work and what doesn't.

So if you have any advice you'd like to pass along, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[Jennifer S]

My DS just got braces a few weeks ago. The first few days he was sore. Had to eat soft foods and took Motrin. After a few days he was back to normal. They don't bother him at all.

Also make sure they brush good. I'm still recovering from the sticker shock.

 

[Libby X 3]

Make sure you take Tylenol or Motrin before your appointment. They might not hurt right away but they will be sore that night. My dd usually took Tylenol or Motrin before her appointments when she went in to get them tightened also.

 

[Camicar]

First of all, get a second or third opinion.

I learned that when I had to do a small bit of adult orthodontia. One doctor I went to wanted to do $10K worth of surgery, plus $10K worth of ortho. I thought he was nuts and I basically needed a new retainer. Two other orthos agreed with me.

Years later, we had the opposite problem.

We thought our dd had a pretty straightforward problem. So did the first orthodontist we visited. Although he was the #1 recommendation from our dentist, when I took my dd in, I did not like the way he interacted with a child. So I decided to try others. Wow, am I glad we did. The 2nd and 3rd orthros took one look at her, did more extensive xrays and discovered a bigger problem that required a very different treatment plan. In reviewing those xrays myself, I recognized immediately a problem my sister had that had not been corrected and which manifested itself further and further as she matured, so I knew those two orthos were correct in wanting to intervene as they proposed.

I am so glad I went for other opinions bec I saw the difference the alternate plan made in my dd's mouth and I know if we'd gone with the first ortho, my dd would have ended up with the same problems my sister did as an adult.

I told these stories to a coworker and upon my advice, she took her dd in for other opinions and had a very similar experience.
So, I would always get a second opinion.

Other:
Ask about emergency hours. One thing I DON'T like about our ortho is that if something happens after 5pm on Friday, you are SOL until Monday morning.

 

[fraggle551]

well as a kid who had braces for 7 years....
eating oreos was awful. the black cookie never got out of my braces. However, I now eat them like they're going out of style! Life is good without braces.

bagels were also hard for me to eat. they got stuck a lot too.

pizza also got stuck a lot.

make sure you have wax when she gets his wires changed...for the first few days they can poke your cheek and really hurt.

oh, the orthodontist also gave me special floss for braces; it was thicker then normal and really helped when things got stuck.

they really werent too bad overall! And she'll have beautiful teeth when its all done. Good luck!

 

[disney4us2002]

Make sure you or your dh really understand what the steps are and how many episodes or phases your dd will need. Our ds has been in braces or an orthondontic appliance for 3 yrs. He still has one year to go. He really didn't get that, lol.

We had to do almost a year with a spacer to make room for teeth that couldn't fit. During that year, his little space between his front teeth became HUGE. He was distraught and really didn't smile much. It was bad, I agree. Then he had top braces, wore those for 18 months. Then they came off and his smile was straight and ds was very happy. For a moment. Then came the realization that he wasn't done, just a break while waiting for his canine teeth to drop in. Luckily they did and he didn't need surgical help. Now he's in top and bottom braces until August. He is just sooooo sick of the whole thing.

Honestly, I didn't remember the Ortho saying it would be almost 4 yrs either. Just pay close attention to all the details and you will also get the plan in writing.

BTW, if you have any younger children, you may want to get a consult now. It seems most of the kids at the ortho finish way younger than our son (almost 15 now). I think they recommend the first phase by 8 or 9.

 

[HollyJoy]

Buy a water pik! DD (10) has braces.. has had them for about a year now (and gets them off next month!), and we bought her a waterpik to help her "floss" her teeth. It's been a lifesaver for her. She uses it 3 times a day, on her own. Also, if there is headgear and/or a lip bumper involved, make sure they wear it as much as possible! It does make a difference!!!

 

[Kath2003]

You need 2 things:

1. Painkillers. Dose them up BEFORE and every 4-hours (or whatever the recommended maximum dose is). The pain is manageable unless it gets a hold! It only lasts 24-48 hours.

2. Wax. ASK FOR SOME WAX. Especially with the "train track" style permanent braces, but also with a removable appliance, they can "dig" in. Dry out the area carefully and then stick some wax over it - it prevents rubbing and once the area has healed, it will be fine. Also sometimes, as your teeth move, so does the wire. That can result in the wire (with the train track braces poking out at the back of the mouth (and eventually into the cheek ). You'll need to get the orthodontist to "clip" the wire (or change it for a new one), but the wax helps in the meantime here too. Make sure it's as dry as you can get it because otherwise the wax won't stick.

 

[mommaU4]

My DS just got braces a few weeks ago. The first few days he was sore. Had to eat soft foods and took Motrin. After a few days he was back to normal. They don't bother him at all.

Also make sure they brush good. I'm still recovering from the sticker shock.

Ah yes, the sticker shock. That part I do know about.

Can you list some examples of soft foods that worked well?

Make sure you take Tylenol or Motrin before your appointment. They might not hurt right away but they will be sore that night. My dd usually took Tylenol or Motrin before her appointments when she went in to get them tightened also.

OKay, got it. Go to Costco and stock up on the Tylenol or Motrin! Thanks. LOL

First of all, get a second or third opinion.

Other:
Ask about emergency hours. One thing I DON'T like about our ortho is that if something happens after 5pm on Friday, you are SOL until Monday morning.

Thanks for that info. Especially on the emergency hours. Duh. I didn't even think of that. I don't know what their hours are so I'm going to check on that today.

well as a kid who had braces for 7 years....
eating oreos was awful. the black cookie never got out of my braces. However, I now eat them like they're going out of style! Life is good without braces.

bagels were also hard for me to eat. they got stuck a lot too.

pizza also got stuck a lot.

make sure you have wax when she gets his wires changed...for the first few days they can poke your cheek and really hurt.

oh, the orthodontist also gave me special floss for braces; it was thicker then normal and really helped when things got stuck.

they really werent too bad overall! And she'll have beautiful teeth when its all done. Good luck!

Wow, 7 years??? Is that unusual? I think they told us around 2.

My DD, like most kids, loves Oreos, bagels and pizza!! She is not going to be happy....

Wax for the wires, huh? OKay, that's like a foriegn language to me, lol, but I'm sure it will make more sense once things get going.



Thanks everyone for the info so far!!! She's actually eager to get the process started because she really doesn't like her teeth now. So hopefully things will go smoothly for us.

 

[eeyoremum]

I would recommend to wait until she is older. I had braces around that age and 25 years later my teeth have shifted. They look worse then when I was younger. I honestly think if I had waited until I was a late teen, of course I had no say, my teeth would be better now. At 11 you are still growing, including your mouth and jaw and so forth. So at 11 your teeth may not fit you mouth but what about when your 16 or 17. Also, with women I wonder how much pregnancy plays a roll? Your gums go soft when you are pregnant which could cause teeth to shift. Just my experience but I know both my ds will need braces and I will not even entertain the idea until they are older.

 

[mommaU4]

Make sure you or your dh really understand what the steps are and how many episodes or phases your dd will need. Our ds has been in braces or an orthondontic appliance for 3 yrs. He still has one year to go. He really didn't get that, lol.

We had to do almost a year with a spacer to make room for teeth that couldn't fit. During that year, his little space between his front teeth became HUGE. He was distraught and really didn't smile much. It was bad, I agree. Then he had top braces, wore those for 18 months. Then they came off and his smile was straight and ds was very happy. For a moment. Then came the realization that he wasn't done, just a break while waiting for his canine teeth to drop in. Luckily they did and he didn't need surgical help. Now he's in top and bottom braces until August. He is just sooooo sick of the whole thing.

Honestly, I didn't remember the Ortho saying it would be almost 4 yrs either. Just pay close attention to all the details and you will also get the plan in writing.

BTW, if you have any younger children, you may want to get a consult now. It seems most of the kids at the ortho finish way younger than our son (almost 15 now). I think they recommend the first phase by 8 or 9.

Aww, your poor DS. I don't blame him for being sick of it. It sounds like a lot for kids to deal with. Parents too, actually. I bet all of you will be thrilled when it's done.

I do have twins who are 7, and one of them went to the ortho as well on the recommendation of the dentist. But they felt it best to wait just a bit longer since her teeth were still moving, and coming in, and falling out, and they just weren't sure yet what all was going on in there. LOL
So we are keeping an eye on her and she'll be going back shortly after she turns 8.

That seemed really young to me, but I guess it's not.

 

[Jennifer S]

soft foods- yogurt, pudding, mac N cheese, applesauce, soft cheeses. soft bread, rolls and the number #1 favorite... MILKSHAKES. They were really filling too. My DS cut everything up so he didn't have to bite into it.

 

[chris1gill]

Wow, 7 years??? Is that unusual? I think they told us around 2.

I agree with everything that has been said.... 2 years though? You're lucky, DS has been in them for more than 4 years and he has at least one more year... but his problems were quite significant....

 

[mommaU4]

Buy a water pik! DD (10) has braces.. has had them for about a year now (and gets them off next month!), and we bought her a waterpik to help her "floss" her teeth. It's been a lifesaver for her. She uses it 3 times a day, on her own. Also, if there is headgear and/or a lip bumper involved, make sure they wear it as much as possible! It does make a difference!!!

I had to Google waterpik. I didn't know what that was. But I can see how that would help. It says they have them at Target so I think we'll pick one up. Heck, it can't hurt. Thanks!

 

[mommaU4]

I would recommend to wait until she is older. I had braces around that age and 25 years later my teeth have shifted. They look worse then when I was younger. I honestly think if I had waited until I was a late teen, of course I had no say, my teeth would be better now. At 11 you are still growing, including your mouth and jaw and so forth. So at 11 your teeth may not fit you mouth but what about when your 16 or 17. Also, with women I wonder how much pregnancy plays a roll? Your gums go soft when you are pregnant which could cause teeth to shift. Just my experience but I know both my ds will need braces and I will not even entertain the idea until they are older.

Thanks for sharing your experience. My DH had braces when he was younger and like you, his teeth actually look worse but in his case it was his own fault as he didn't follow through with some of the things he was supposed to do.

Hopefully that won't be that case, but she's so self conscious I honestly don't think we can wait. Guess we'll have to hope for the best.

And I do think pregnancy totally messes with your teeth!! I never had problems until my last pregnancy with my twins and ever since then, ugh, it's been one thing after another.
Or maybe I'm just getting older. LOL Either way, it sucks since I hate going to the dentist. I'm not exactly a good role model for my kids in that respect.

 

[kangareaux]

I would recommend to wait until she is older. I had braces around that age and 25 years later my teeth have shifted. They look worse then when I was younger. I honestly think if I had waited until I was a late teen, of course I had no say, my teeth would be better now. At 11 you are still growing, including your mouth and jaw and so forth. So at 11 your teeth may not fit you mouth but what about when your 16 or 17. Also, with women I wonder how much pregnancy plays a roll? Your gums go soft when you are pregnant which could cause teeth to shift. Just my experience but I know both my ds will need braces and I will not even entertain the idea until they are older.

PLEASE rethink this! Had I worn braces when I was younger and my mouth was still developing, I wouldn't have the problems I do now. My bottom jaw is extremely narrow. ALL my bottom teeth can fit inside my top teeth when I close my mouth. To correct the problem now requires a surgery to *SAW* my jaw apart on bottom and spread it wider. Also to saw my palate apart on top and remove some. THEN on top of that, a couple of years of braces. Ummmmm no thanks! I'll deal with what problems I have and the ugly smile. I can barely stand going for my cleanings....the thought of all that sawing and wiring and re-fitting just makes me ill just thinking about it.

I was told by 2 orthos that if this had been caught when I was younger before my jaw was *set* so to speak, I'd have needed a palate expander and a few years of braces. It would not have been a big deal. Now it's major surgery and major $$$ (close to 20K).

 

[mommaU4]

soft foods- yogurt, pudding, mac N cheese, applesauce, soft cheeses. soft bread, rolls and the number #1 favorite... MILKSHAKES. They were really filling too. My DS cut everything up so he didn't have to bite into it.

Okay, got it. Thanks. She'll be happy with the milkshakes. Course I can already hear my other 3 saying whining about how that's not fair.

I agree with everything that has been said.... 2 years though? You're lucky, DS has been in them for more than 4 years and he has at least one more year... but his problems were quite significant....

Well, they said 2 years. I'm hoping they are accurate. I was surprised to because I was thinking it would be at least 3.
I wasn't at the appointment. DH took her in while I was home with the other kids, but apparently they said something about new braces that work quicker and more effectively.

I guess we'll see. I'm kind of thinking I'll believe it when I see it at this point seeing as how mostly everyone else has been in them much longer.





Thanks again for all the advice everyone! We might get some or all of this info from the ortho but it's nice to hear it anyways, and sometimes they forget to tell you things since it's so routine for them. Plus it's nice to have this to reference to.

 

[TLHB70]

I had to jump in this thread; I wanted to make sure that I subscribed because we are just entering this too. DD, age 12 (will be 13 in July), just had her ortho consult two weeks ago. The office told me that they are waiting on two teeth before they put her in anything. They expect to put her in something next year. However, our dentist/orthodontist office is recommending invisalign. I totally love our dentist/orthodontist office!!! They have been good to us through the years. I trust them. I did question and ask why they recommend invisalign over wire braces. The doctor answered me and gave specific reasons. These are the reasons that he gave me: (1)invisalign works faster. The typical time is about a year which is must faster than wire braces, (2) instead of going for an ortho appointment once a month, invisalign is an appointment about once every 6 weeks. That saves on gas/time, (3) invisalign can be removed to brush and floss and for special occasions, (4) invisalign does not require wires, wax, and is less painful, and last (5) most people prefer the looks of invisalign over wire braces. I asked about cost. The doctor said that they are " the same cost." We have not gotten into cost detail yet since we are about a year away. If it is indeed the same, we are probably going to try invisalign.
Do any of you have any experience with invisalign?
In case you are wondering what it is, here is a page from my dentist/orthodontist site. Down on the bottom right of the page is a link to learn more about invisalign. http://www.realpagessites.com/armstrongthomasw/page4.html

ETA: I wore wire braces for 6 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[fraggle551]

yeah it is unusual. I had orthodontia (sp?) work done from the time I was in first grade until 8th grade. First I had a pallete expander, then this rolly bar thingy on the roof of my mouth, then braces...it was AWFUL. the worst part was that my beautfiul teeth shifted in less than one week when my wisdom teeth came in. I thought my mom and dad were going to cry...its not that bad though. We're not going through any more orthodontia work!

You may want to ask about some sort of treatment before the braces are put on. I cannot remember the name of it, but I know that people have had white spots on their teeth from where the braces were. I have no idea if this is common or not. My mom made me brush constantly, and I had no spots.

Also, after every appointment I got a fribble from Friendly s. They were the BEST to help with the pain. That and I always got taken out of school early for my appointments. Man, im starting to miss being younger! I have to buy myself the fribbles now!

 

[gypsydoodlebug]

As an adult who's had her braces on two years, one month and three days (not that I'm counting), here are some more food ideas -- basically anything that can be swallowed with minimal chewing:

• Spaghetti-Os
• Spaghetti w/ meat sauce (after browning the hamburger, use your fingers to crumble it really fine, then mix with the sauce. Use kitchen shears to "cut" the spaghetti into small bites and it can be swallowed almost whole.
• Refried beans w/ salsa, cheese and sour cream
• Mashed potatoes
• Squash -- I bought the frozen kind and mixed with brown sugar and cinnamon
• chili (see above for spaghetti method)
• Tuna/egg/chicken salad (use lots of mayo so it swallows easier)
• Canned ravioli -- cut the ravioli into bites
• Oatmeal (really filling)
• I made "pizza" by using a shallow skillet. Place about 1/4 c. cheese into the bottom of the ungreased skillet. When the cheese starts melting, place about 2 tbsp. of pizza sauce on it. Allow to cook until the cheese is melted and the sides start bubbling. Slide out of the skillet onto a plate with a paper towel and allow to cool a bit. Cut with a pizza cutter -- this can be eaten with a fork.
• Creamed cauliflower

I'm sure I can think of some others...

I'd also recommend brush picks. I have them EVERYWHERE: desk drawers, car console, purse, wallet, coat pockets. You can discreetly use them to dislodge food out of the brackets easliy.

You may want to ask about some sort of treatment before the braces are put on. I cannot remember the name of it, but I know that people have had white spots on their teeth from where the braces were. I have no idea if this is common or not. My mom made me brush constantly, and I had no spots.

I went to the dentist for a cleaning yesterday, and I think the hygienist called it calcification or something.