Saw this article today about how some teens are making TikToks about their first day with braces, and it got me thinking about my own experience (which was, uh, less glamorous). The news was saying a lot of kids are super nervous but end up finding out it’s not as bad as they expected. I remember feeling like my mouth was full of metal and I couldn’t stop poking at the brackets with my tongue. Eating anything that wasn’t mushy felt like an Olympic sport for the first week.
Did anyone else get that weird pressure feeling when they first put them on? I swear my teeth felt like they were humming. Or maybe that was just anxiety, lol. Curious if anyone actually had a positive first day, or is it just rough for everyone at the start?
That pressure feeling is so real. I remember thinking my teeth were going to pop out or something the first day, and I couldn’t decide if it was actually pain or just my brain freaking out about all the new hardware in my mouth. The humming sensation you mentioned—yeah, I totally get that. I kept telling my mom it felt like my teeth were “buzzing” and she just laughed.
Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who had a truly positive first day with braces. Most people I know just wanted to go home and eat ice cream in silence. But I will say, after a few days, things calmed down a lot for me. The weirdest part was how quickly I got used to having them on, even though that first week felt endless. And yeah, the poking with your tongue thing...I still catch myself doing that sometimes, even though they’re long gone.
Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who had a truly positive first day with braces.
That’s interesting, because my first day actually wasn’t as bad as I expected. Don’t get me wrong—the pressure was weird and I kept worrying about stuff getting stuck, but pain-wise, it was more annoying than unbearable. Maybe it helped that I’d read up on what to expect and prepped with soft foods and wax ahead of time? I guess everyone’s pain threshold is different, but I wonder if prepping mentally (and budget-wise) makes a difference.
Did you notice a huge difference in comfort depending on the brand or type of braces? I went with the cheapest option my insurance would cover, so I was bracing myself (no pun intended) for the worst. But after the first week, it really did become just part of daily life. The tongue poking thing—yeah, that never really went away for me either. Even now, I sometimes “check” my teeth like the brackets are still there.
Curious if anyone tried those silicone covers or extra wax to help with the initial discomfort? I found the regular wax worked, but I always wondered if paying extra for the fancy stuff was worth it.
Curious if anyone tried those silicone covers or extra wax to help with the initial discomfort? I found the regular wax worked, but I always wondered if paying extra for the fancy stuff was worth it.
Honestly, regular orthodontic wax does the job for most people. The silicone covers can be a little easier to apply and sometimes last longer if you’re eating or drinking a lot, but they’re not a game-changer for everyone. I’ve seen some patients swear by the silicone, especially if they have really sensitive cheeks or lips, but for others it just felt like an unnecessary upgrade. If you’re managing okay with the standard stuff, there’s probably no need to spend extra.
As for comfort differences between brands or types of braces, it’s more about how well they’re fitted and adjusted than the brand itself. Some of the newer self-ligating brackets can feel a bit smoother, but honestly, most of the initial discomfort is just your mouth adjusting to something new. You hit the nail on the head—mental prep makes a bigger difference than people expect. Knowing what’s normal (like that weird tongue-poking habit) and having soft foods ready goes a long way.
And yeah, that “phantom bracket” feeling is real. I’ve had people come in months after finishing treatment still running their tongues along their teeth out of habit. It fades eventually, but it’s surprisingly persistent.
It’s reassuring to hear your first day wasn’t as rough as you expected. I’ve seen a lot of anxious faces on day one, but after a week or so it really does become routine. The pressure and soreness usually peak in the first 2-3 days, then things settle down fast.
If you ever get a sore spot that won’t quit, sometimes switching up the wax (or even trying a dab of orthodontic silicone) can help. But for most people, patience and a little TLC are all it takes. The body adapts faster than we give it credit for.
Ha, “phantom bracket” is the perfect way to describe it. I kept catching myself poking at my teeth with my tongue for months after mine came off—old habits die hard, I guess. Wax was my lifesaver too, but I did try those silicone covers once. Honestly? They felt a bit like putting a raincoat on inside. Maybe good for marathon eaters, but otherwise, meh.
The first day was wild though. I genuinely thought I’d never eat pizza again. Spoiler: I survived, and so did my love of carbs. It’s funny how the brain makes it all seem way scarier than it is.
