https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 16 Apr 2026 06:40:37 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/braces-as-an-adult-jaw-surgery#post-2804251 Wed, 14 Feb 2018 14:41:26 +0000 KT326 2804251@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: good to know! They haven't mentioned that to me. I already have bad teeth (lots of cavities as a child, a few root canals and a couple crowns). If I need extra cleanings I will definitely get them.</p> <p>@aprild: that would be really annoying! Luckily I have a water flosser at home and plan on getting a travel one for work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/braces-as-an-adult-jaw-surgery#post-2804157 Wed, 14 Feb 2018 10:36:29 +0000 cat620 2804157@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have problems with my jaw, but I just got Invisalign last week to help straighten my bottom teeth. It was painful the first few days, but I haven't felt soreness since then. It's just annoying to have to take them out each time I want to eat or drink anything other than water and then brush my teeth before putting them back in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/braces-as-an-adult-jaw-surgery#post-2804102 Wed, 14 Feb 2018 06:59:00 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2804102@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>A friend of mine just got braces because her jaw alignment was causing severe pain. Her treatment plan called for teeth extraction.</p> <p>I had braces as a young adult. The one thing I don’t recall being told was that moving your teeth around can disrupt your gums and make the roots shorter. As a result I get my teeth cleaned four times a year instead of two. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/braces-as-an-adult-jaw-surgery#post-2804045 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 17:08:02 +0000 KT326 2804045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Yoyo: yes, it is all out of pocket. I'm on a 3 year payment plan (!! that's how long my treatment is estimated to be, including surgery). I'm also utilizing my Limited FSA and HSA so at least I'm paying with pre-tax dollars. </p> <p>I have to admit, I almost cried when they told me the cost. We could buy a new car for that amount... but it will be worth it in the end. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/braces-as-an-adult-jaw-surgery#post-2804031 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 16:24:30 +0000 Mrs. Yoyo 2804031@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KT326: You sound almost exactly like me. Are you paying entirely out of pocket? I would do it if it weren't for the extreme $$$$. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/braces-as-an-adult-jaw-surgery#post-2803964 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 13:44:44 +0000 yoursilverlining 2803964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KT326: I had a palate expander as a kid and don't remember it being too terrible. Not bad enough to give me any lasting negative memories, at any rate! Ditto with braces pain. Definitely sore but manageable. </p> <p>I am going in next week for a final Invisalign consult (already done the xrays and stuff). I'm 36 and my dentist has been gently (and not so gently) suggesting braces for several years and yeah he's right, I need them. I had braces as a kid, teeth pulled, adult teeth removed before they came in, palate expender, retainer and while my top teeth are OK, even after all that my bottom teeth are jacked. Bah. Here's to the best for both of us :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/braces-as-an-adult-jaw-surgery#post-2803958 Tue, 13 Feb 2018 13:21:01 +0000 KT326 2803958@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@nwm: Luckily he told me that it pretty much sucks having the expander. But I could also stand to lose 10lbs too... hahaha. </p> <p>@SweetCaroline: I've had three different opinions! I definitely have to have upper jaw surgery to move it forward. Most likely I will need my lower jaw done as well as it is slightly crooked but he said braces might fix it. So we will know more when my teeth are straight.</p> <p>@MamaBear87: thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/braces-as-an-adult-jaw-surgery#post-2803793 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 21:12:32 +0000 nwm 2803793@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>sounds like our issues were not too dissimilar! i didn't have to have surgery, but did have to use two kinds of expanders and then was able to do invisalign. </p> <p>i have to say, i felt like my doctor undersold the expanders and how bad they would be. for me the problem was that they rubbed against my tongue (because my arch was so small!) so in addition to the pain of teeth moving, i had my tongue get swollen pretty regularly. i had wax that was supposed to help the problem, but it really didn't work. i ended up relying a LOT on soup and shakes. and i honestly dropped like almost 10 pounds over the few months i was wearing them. hopefully whatever the way your mouth is shaped and the expander is, you won't have this problem, but i did wish i had known what to expect a little more (on the other hand, it was probably good i didn't know and couldn't really back out by the time i had it).</p> <p>now on the far end of the process i'm so glad i did it--i finally know where to put my top jaw when i bite down! and i think my teeth just look so much nicer. good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/braces-as-an-adult-jaw-surgery#post-2803769 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 19:02:12 +0000 SweetCaroline 2803769@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KT326: I had braces twice due to jaw problems . They always knew I'd have them twice: first in 5th grade and then later on, in 8th grade.</p> <p>I have had a slew of jaw issues and I have this piece of advice: do not have jaw surgery without seeking a second opinion first.</p> <p>Sorry, neither of my experiences with braces was in adulthood, but my mom managed to live through braces at 40! I commend you for taking care of yourself! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/braces-as-an-adult-jaw-surgery#post-2803747 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 16:34:14 +0000 MamaBear87 2803747@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KT326: i had that expander as a teen. It wasn't very pleasant but nothing ibuprofen won't take care of. It's also better than the alternative which is one you turn yourself with a key 😣 </p> <p>Rubber bands weren't great and having to get them adjusted hurts but so worth it to have a corrected bite and a nice smile! </p> <p>Good luck </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/braces-as-an-adult-jaw-surgery#post-2803740 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 16:01:33 +0000 KT326 2803740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mama Bird: I think it depends on what you need done. My ortho told me that after an adjustment my mouth would be really sore for a day or two until my teeth got used to it. I would have an adjustment every 3-4 weeks depending on the movement of my teeth. </p> <p>I'm also not a candidate for invisilign because of my bite. I have to get the regular metal braces. I have to get an expander before I can even get the brackets and wires because my arches are too small. The patient coordinator said this will probably hurt more than the adjustments! </p> [attach=1482/18/p422el.600x416.quad1.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/braces-as-an-adult-jaw-surgery#post-2803732 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 15:43:57 +0000 Mama Bird 2803732@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wait, what? Braces are that painful? I've been considering getting them because my bite is getting worse and worse. I figured they're such a common thing, how bad can it be? Now I'm terrified... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/braces-as-an-adult-jaw-surgery#post-2803729 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 15:38:18 +0000 agold 2803729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KT326: I'm a huge baby when it comes to dental work and I've had my fair share. You can ask your dentist to prescribe you a small dosage of vallium or some generic thing similar. I am not a fan of medicines, but I really think the vallium will help you at least walk into the procedure. I couldn't even bring myself to walk in and sit through something I had to have done after I begged for and and was willing to pay to be fully knocked out and they wouldn't do it. So vallium is a good alternative. Of course, you need someone to drive you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/braces-as-an-adult-jaw-surgery#post-2803721 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 15:24:22 +0000 avivoca 2803721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KT326: My husband had his taken out (one at a time) and wasn't under general anesthesia for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/braces-as-an-adult-jaw-surgery#post-2803714 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 15:09:45 +0000 KT326 2803714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@avivoca: That's great! I'm not going to get my hopes up, but it would be awesome not to have surgery. Especially since I have two kids at home! I do have to have my wisdom teeth removed but I'm hoping that is an easy extraction since they have already erupted. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/braces-as-an-adult-jaw-surgery#post-2803713 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 15:02:07 +0000 avivoca 2803713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KT326: Also! As a kid, I was a jaw surgery candidate but I ended up not needing it because the combo of chains/rubber bands was enough to bring my jaw/teeth forward. My friend did have the jaw surgery in high school but she had a very, very small jaw and headgear/rubber bands wasn't enough to bring it forward. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/braces-as-an-adult-jaw-surgery#post-2803709 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 14:57:01 +0000 KT326 2803709@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@agold: Thanks! </p> <p>@avivoca: now that I think about it, I like chewing when my gums are sore from a cleaning. </p> <p>@afc061018: Thanks for the tips!</p> <p>@Mrs Lavender: Thanks for the tips! I wish I could go without the surgery, but the way my bite is they don't think it is possible. We'll see once my teeth are straightened. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/braces-as-an-adult-jaw-surgery#post-2803704 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 14:47:51 +0000 Mrs Lavender 2803704@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@KT326: I got metal braces when I was 29 and had them on for 3 years. Best decision ever! You story sounds similar to mine. I was a jaw surgery candidate. I was dealing with a 10mm over jet, my midline was off, and had some crowding. I found a doctor would who said he'd correct my bite without pulling teeth or surgery, it would just take longer. I basically wore rubber bands throughout my entire treatment - those are horrible.</p> <p>What helped me was meal planing for a week after adjustments such as soups, smoothies, pureed beans, mashed potatoes, tender pulled meats, yogurts, protein shakes, scrambled eggs. I found Macks pillow soft silicone ear plugs worked better than wax. Keep a small bag in your purse with things you'll need such as those christmas tree picks, toothbrush/toothpaste, wax, rubber bands and chapstick. Take pain killers before an adjustment. If you are getting metal braces opt for light gray bands over white or clear. The gray will blend in and white and clear will stain. Everything gets stuck in them! So when you eat, get in the habit of swishing the water around your mouth every now and then. </p> <p>Good luck and it will all be so worth it!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/braces-as-an-adult-jaw-surgery#post-2803690 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 14:09:19 +0000 afc061018 2803690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I had braces in my twenties. I was self-conscious, especially at work, but it was worth it. Take some Tylenol on the days you get the wires tightened, and use the wax to cover places where the braces hurt your cheeks. (I got it at Target.) I opted for mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, pancakes, pureed soups, etc., on days when my mouth was sore. Smoothies would be good to help get nutrients in on those days. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/braces-as-an-adult-jaw-surgery#post-2803683 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 13:55:42 +0000 avivoca 2803683@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wore them for four years as a teen and my sister is currently wearing Invisalign. Soft foods helped when my teeth were sore but I semi enjoy it when my gums are sore so chewing helped them feel better in a way. I guess it's like how babies like to chew on things when teething. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/braces-as-an-adult-jaw-surgery#post-2803682 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 13:54:28 +0000 agold 2803682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have any tips. But good for you for taking care of yourself! Best of luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/braces-as-an-adult-jaw-surgery#post-2803676 Mon, 12 Feb 2018 13:49:11 +0000 KT326 2803676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Has anyone had braces as an adult? Jaw surgery? Any tips you can share with me? I'm a big baby when it comes to my teeth. My dentist has been recommending them to me for over 10 years... I'm finally biting the bullet and getting them done. I'll be 35 this year...</p> <p>I'm terrified of the surgery. But my bite is completely misaligned, I have a very slight open bite in the front and none of my molars line up when I bite down. Luckily I don't have TMJ, the ortho was shocked I didn't have any issues.</p> <p>I have a water flosser and will be getting a travel one for work. Anything else I should think about? </p> <p>Food tips for when my teeth are sore? </p>