Worries over braces

WNBRich

My son,aged 14, after a 2 year wait, saw a NHS orthodontist a few months ago, and he recommended fixed braces for an overbite, prominent upper teeth and misalignment. Before treatment started he had to have three teeth extracted and he went through that very bravely. But last night he suddenly said that he didn't want to have the braces, and that he was worried that it would be painful and that the cement would damage his teeth (my niece had fixed braces about 20 years ago and the cement took off the surface of her teeth, and she had to have veneers).

He was meant to have had the first fixed bands put on today, but due to my son's distress, I cancelled the appointment. I don't know what to advise him to do as I feel that his concerns have some basis. Does anyone have experience of damage to teeth caused by the cement used with braces? Should I take my son to see the orthodontist to discuss his concerns? I'm sad that he's been through the misery of having 3 healthy teeth taken out, and it may all be for nothing.

Any help would be appreciated.

Alikay

My son and daughter both had fixed braces and had no damage whatsoever to the surface of their teeth. If your son has met the criteria for NHS braces, it's likely that there's significant misalignment with his teeth and the treatment will make a substantial improvement to the appearance and function of his mouth, so I'd definitely take him to speak to the orthodontist. NHS orthodontic funding is rare and precious - don't let him miss out!

Poor lad may be a bit traumatised by the extractions - the worst bit of the treatment I think, but once the braces are fitted and have settled down the time will just fly by, and by the time he's at uni he'll have a lovely smile

**confuzzled**

Hi, I had fixed braces about 10 yrs ago(:eek:) and was the best thing I ever had done:D OK, it wasn't at the time and cleaning my teeth several times a day was annoying but when I started to see the difference my confidence soared!
I never had a problem with the cement causing damage or any kind of pain, except when the bands got tightened but thats to be expected:)
Is it possible your niece had weak teeth, hence the enamel coming off?!?! Or she didn't brush them properly while having the braces causing decay to the teeth???

If your son is reallly worried about this then yes, definitely talk to the orthodontist, they can hopefully put his mind at rest. But in my experience and from people I've known it's generally fine and your niece is probably part of a very small percentage.

hth x

poppyolivia

I should have had braces at 13 I told my mum I didn't want them and she was cool with that....nothing against my mum but I wish she forced me, fell out with me, whatever....they should have been done then....now I am 33 and had a fixed upper and lower for 2 years and now have upper and lower retainers and its the best thing I got. Mine were really painful but was told it was because I was older...not sure if there is any truth in it but at some points he had his knee up beside my chest trying to move my teeth!...alot of crunching during the adjustments and hard to eat for 2 wks at a time!....STILL glad I got it done!!! Getting them taken off was sore too but like i said he just kept saying it was because i was older.

If he was my kid he wouldn't have a choice in the matter I'd force him...sounds cruel but he WILL regret it a few years down the line!

peachyprice

Things have moved on since 20 years ago. The only damage to the surface nowdays it likely to be calcification from not cleaning properly.

I would contact the orthodontist and ask for an appointment for him to exlain exatly what will happen, what care he needs to take and what to expect from the end result.

My son is also 14 and had his fixed brace fitted in the summer after 3 months of a removeable one. It is only uncomfortable for a day or 2 after it's been adjusted, other than that he hardly knows it's there and at the end of it he will have a beatiful smile.

I have a small overbite myself and if I were a child today would definitely be eligible for a brace on the NHS, however when I was young it was rare to have a brace unless your teeth were awful so my parents never pushed for it. To this day I eternally regret that, and if I ever manage to get the money together i will have it done. Don't let your child go through life trying not to smile because he doesn't like his teeth.

Jo_R_2

I had fixed braces going on 20 years ago now:eek:

Had to have 4 molars extracted and a removable brace initially, then moved onto the fixed braces. It wasn't a big deal as loads of kids I knew had them so in that respect I wasn't worried.

I didn't have any trouble with my tooth enamel, there were a couple of teeth where there was a small square that was ever-so-slightly lighter (where the cement was stuck) but that soon disappeared.

I won't lie, it was painful when having the new wires and bands on, but that doesn't last long and it's definitely a short-term pain for long-term gain, pleased I had it done now. Could you have a chat with someone at the practice to allay his fears and worries?

Teerah

It will be uncomfortable after each adjustment but thats how I would desccribe it...uncomfortable not painful. A soft diet for a day or two helps.

The braces wont damage teeth unless they arent cleaned properly. If plaque is allowed to gather and not removed then the enamel will become decalcified and leave marks when the brackets are removed but tbh this doesnt tend to happen much nowadays...if your son didnt have good oral hygiene he wouldnt be considered for orthodontic treatment in the first place and if things arent being maintained adequately, most orthodontists I know will stop treatment early and just remove the baces rather than let things deteriorate.

I would urge you to rebook the appointment as soon as possible. Unless your son is wearing a space maintainer, the longer you leave it now that the extractions have been carried out, the more space will be lost and it may mean treatment lasting longer than was originally necessary.

freda

I've just had braces on for nearly 5 years (in my 30s!) and no damage was done to my teeth at all.

I'd definitely point out to him that if he doesn't do it now, he may have a much more painful time later in life. I had a large overbite which, although I had braces when a teenager, wasn't sorted out properly as they didn't have the technology to correct not only my teeth but my jaw as well (which they can do these days). That meant that in my 30s, I started getting pain when eating and was advised that if I didn't get it sorted I would do permenant damage to the bone structure of my mouth over the next couple of decades. Getting it sorted involved not only braces but some pretty awful surgery where both my jaws had to be broken and re set.

So, if your son gets it sorted now, while his jaws are still able to be sorted out by braces, he is avoiding all the pain later on.

Also, you can get all sorts of 'cool' fixings for braces, with colours and patterns. It only aches a bit for a day or two when it is tightened, it is easily got over with some painkillers.

Can you offer him an incentive - a treat after each trip to the orthodontist, or a promise of a trip somewhere special?

giantmutantbroccoli

I'd reccommend taking him to the orthodontists to talk things over with them. The cement shouldn't damage your teeth provided you keep them really clean. If he changes his mind later when he's an adult, and wants it done it will be more trouble, more expense and take longer.
I was told to wait by my childhood dentist - turns out she was wrong. It's taken 6 years of fixed braces to do something that the orthodontist assures me would only have taken 2-3 if my teeth had still been growing. They're easier to move about when you're younger. And if you're not able to get referred to a teaching hospital or similar, you'll be stuck with a hefty bill!

Penny_Watcher

Show him these photos of my DS1

Before




After



Both my youngest children have had fixed braces (DD2 has about 12/15 months still to go). Newly fixed braces are can make your teeth feel achey for a couple of days and also after things have being tightened. But that discomfort means that his teeth are moving to where they need to be.

I watched while DS1 had his braces taken off. The adhesive they used came away very easily. They then gave his new smile a bit of a polish to remove the last of the glue and hay presto - Hollywood Smile

The treatment started when he was in primary school - he needed to have his bottom jaw moved forward over a year or so - and then a fixed brace for about 18 months. Even now as a grouchy 15 year old he said it was "worth the hassle".

juby_2002

hi,

i had braces and im going to be honest. there are sooo painful after adjustments each month or so.

i remember not being able to eat as my teeth were so senstitve and felt `wobbley`. even talking and having my teeth touch together made me grimace in pain.

there were no damage to my teeth by the cement and removing them was a relief (had them for 2 years).

it is worth while in the long run as my teeth are now straight but, if your son is like i was then be prepared for bouts of serious bad moods.:D