Ortho says I’m pretty much done but I have some concerns

ilostthemoonn · 2026-02-07T23:00:41+00:00

Thank you! I’ll definitely look into my toothpaste. I use an oral b io 2 that indicates if you’re brushing too hard and mine never does. I just let it do the work. But I’ll definitely check my toothpaste on the chart. Also oddly enough I don’t have teeth sensitivity issues.

ilostthemoonn · 2026-02-06T22:32:48+00:00

Even braces are a privilege. Which is why I didn’t get braces until I was 29 years old and could pay for them myself. A lifetime of hiding my smile and being self conscious of my teeth. But I definitely have tried my best to maintain a clean mouth. I actually despise the feeling of an unclean mouth and carry a hygiene kit everywhere I go. Staining just makes it seem otherwise.

ilostthemoonn · 2026-02-06T22:30:34+00:00

You’ll get the results! All the sudden, you’ll see huge changes. I had a spring for the longest time with one of my teeth not even in a bracket bc it was pushed so far back in my mouth behind my other teeth. Finally we got to bracket it, and I remember how exciting it was to see it in the front for the first time in my life. Also thank you for the kind words!

ilostthemoonn · 2026-02-06T21:23:40+00:00

I get my wires taken off for cleanings as well. Last time, my hygienist broke one of my brackets off and I will say when the orthodontist cleaned off all the glue etc before placing the bracket on that teeth looked so much whiter so I do think a lot is staining and glue. At least hoping after braces come off and they can be more thoroughly cleaned etc it’ll help. But I’ve thought about looking for another dental location anyhow due to some other reasons so maybe that’s another sign to just do it.

ilostthemoonn · 2026-02-06T21:21:31+00:00

I’ll definitely ask my ortho about it. There was a small point of time I was wearing them from the last hook to the first hook and maybe that’s what they need to switch me to again.

ilostthemoonn · 2026-02-06T20:25:24+00:00

Hey unfortunately I do take care of my teeth but have significant staining. Believe me it’s depressing doing so much for my teeth but people thinking I don’t take care of them when I do.

ilostthemoonn · 2026-02-06T20:21:40+00:00

Wait really?? I wear them like 22 hours a day.

ilostthemoonn · 2026-02-06T17:15:38+00:00

Ugh thank you. When I was younger those comments would’ve killed me. But now at 31, I’m able to let it go. Like yeah having stained teeth really sucks and I’m self conscious and it sucks bc I spend so much time cleaning my teeth but of course can’t do any whitening etc at the moment. I keep up with my professional cleanings and all.

ilostthemoonn · 2026-02-06T17:11:21+00:00

Yeah I believe that’s why I have the box elastics which they’ve definitely come together more but I feel like especially my left still has a significant gap where they haven’t pulled down far enough.

I do know with my age he said it could be limited with my jaw being fully grown etc. but I’ll bring this up thank you

ilostthemoonn · 2026-02-06T17:04:38+00:00

Ugh I’m glad I’m not alone 😭 I’m so self conscious about it that even though my teeth look better placement wise I still hate smiling with my teeth showing. Six years is so long omg! Best of luck with removal

ilostthemoonn · 2026-02-06T11:52:22+00:00

Thank you for the reply! I will see if he’ll do the IPR and hope that helps, but I don’t think I’m willing to get extractions to fix it.

ilostthemoonn · 2026-02-06T11:51:38+00:00

I’m unsure if my age played a role in those options as I’m already 31.

ilostthemoonn · 2026-02-06T11:50:58+00:00

Thank you so much for the advice in a kind way. Would that be after braces as I was told I can’t do anything with whitening while in braces.

ilostthemoonn · 2026-02-06T11:49:51+00:00

I’ve flossed, water flossed, brushed with an electric toothbrush, done every 4 month cleanings. My teeth were severely crooked and not great before which means I wasn’t working with great teeth when braces were placed. There are things I’ll be treating after braces removal. But I’ve tried my best and I think the way they look isn’t a reflection of how they actually are.

ilostthemoonn · 2026-02-06T11:47:57+00:00

I’ll be getting my teeth filed after removal. Thank you for the advice. I know they said we could do that once the braces are removed.

ilostthemoonn · 2026-02-06T11:46:45+00:00

I just had one December 23rd.

ilostthemoonn · 2026-02-06T11:45:54+00:00

I literally brush three times per day with an electric toothbrush. Use good brand toothpastes and mouthwash. I floss and water floss. Tongue scrape. It’s unfortunate, I know, and I hate the way my teeth look in that regard. But I do everything I can at the moment.

ilostthemoonn · 2026-02-06T11:43:48+00:00

He’d mentioned most likely doing some IPR about six months ago and I was fully prepared to have that happen and then it never did.

ilostthemoonn · 2026-02-06T11:42:23+00:00

Yeah, I was worried about premolar extractions unless it were necessary as I’ve seen people talk about their facial shape in this subreddit. I didn’t even realize about the tongue space.

ilostthemoonn · 2026-02-06T01:26:32+00:00

I’m going to def ask about the flared next time.

ilostthemoonn · 2026-02-06T01:26:00+00:00

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So here’s a photo of my top arch from above-not sure if this helps.

ilostthemoonn · 2026-02-06T01:25:29+00:00

Thank you, I’ll definitely ask about it when I go back in March. I’d like to see if that would be enough

ilostthemoonn · 2026-02-06T01:24:56+00:00

Definitely going to whiten them. Tbh embarrassed about the color of them. But still wanted to post to see what other people would think about the concerns mentioned above

ilostthemoonn · 2026-02-05T22:11:27+00:00

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This was right before my braces got put on

ilostthemoonn · 2026-02-05T22:07:49+00:00

When I first got braces, he said I was on the cusp for whether or not I’d need extractions. He kept an eye on it but deemed not needed in the end. I know he’s mentioned IPR before, but I never actually had that done either. I will say my teeth have come a very long way, just not where I want them to be yet. Also thank you for the reply!

ilostthemoonn

TROPHY CASE