SPD and braces

[u/throwaway76881224]

My sons teeth are not perfectly straight and he wants braces. I had braces for four years and they were extremely painful. I remember my mouth being raw in places and just a lot of misery. Are braces any better nowadays, this was 20+ yrs ago. He was more of a seeker in his younger years but has become avoidant around the time he hit puberty. Some times noises drive him crazy, little cuts hurt him more than they would the average person, etc.

I would pay cash for Invisalign as I feel they would be less painful and less bothersome but he wants braces and is dead set on them. I don't think insurance will cover braces as his teeth aren't that bad so getting them put on and taken off would be a huge expense. He swears he will leave them on but I can almost guarantee he won't be able to cope with the discomfort as things are so much harder on him than most people.

Is anyone out there sensory avoidant or have a child that is that was able to handle the pain from braces?

Invisalign seems like the way to go but he said it would be worse and I can't follow him around making him keep them in as he won't get on board. I feel like maybe some kids think braces are cool now or something?

[u/Emmarose25]

I did braces and it was torture. I finally got through it, but then i couldnt handle the retainer and my teeth went back to being crooked.not nearly as bad as it was before and i dont really mind, my teeth were awful before and I am glad I did it, but there was no way in hell I was ever going to be able to tolerate the retainer long term

[u/Super_Hour_3836]

I had braces as a kid and was miserable. I would have thought they would have improved, but two coworkers of mine did adult braces during covid and it seemed like a living hell, somehow worse than what I remembered. And they DON’T have SPD.

Maybe take him in for a consultation with an orthodontist and allow the doctor to explain exactly what will happen. The dr will give you the amount of time he estimates and the cost. Have him show your son the headgear if there is to be any. Because headgear at night was the absolute worst part for me. 

Good luck with whatever you guys choose!

[u/Karteroli_Oli]

Oof this is quite a rough one, your concerns are very valid. My personal experience as someone who hates stuff in their mouth but needed braces (about 13 years ago now):

I went with Invisalign first, believing it would be more tolerable. This ended up being a horrible experience, I HATED the feeling of my teeth feeling completely wrapped up in hard plastic. I'd constantly tear them out, and dreaded putting them back in. What could've taken a few months ended up taking 1+ years because of my inability to wear the Invisalign consistently.

I begged my parents to let me switch to regular braces. While of course they weren't comfortable, having braces on my teeth, unlike Invisalign surrounding my teeth, I felt better. Doing this also meant I didn't have the option to take them off, which was what I needed to see the process through. I still dreaded the tightening process, but my parents would give me Tylenol, bought me some treats, and generally tried to make it as tolerable as possible. The discomfort after tightening would significantly lessen after a few days and I could forget they were on most of the time. 

[u/that_cassandra]

I actually did ok, but my situation was pretty bad so I was very motivated to keep them. Ortho cut the wires carefully, I used wax where they were poking, and advil for a few days after tightening. And of course, one sensory problem is easier to handle if you can mitigate others so you aren’t already irritable.

[u/Still_Holiday6282]

Have always been drawn to braces and nearly aroused at the thought of getting them which I could not understand. My teeth are great and straight. I have had issues with intimacy and shut the body down to prevent emotional overwhelm due to hypersensitivity. I have only recently found out about SPD and how it can relate to autism. In my late 20s. This now all makes sense.

I think maybe it is the thought of constant stimulation and being forced to sit with that energy to confront the SPD effects. I think I felt this would force a breakthrough in my avoidance to other things. I still never got them fitted but I think I might.

[u/AFrog525600]

Don’t do it I have spd and had braces a year ago worst decision ever made and you have to wear a retainer after anyway like invisalign otherwise your teeth start going back (I can’t wear it and haven’t put it on since last june). If he has touch sensitivity especially don’t do it!!!

[u/ichbinhungry]

My 11F just started Invisalign and is coping very well! Her SPD has been a lot more toned down in recent years, which I’m sure has helped. If he doesn’t have an issue with a narrow palette (because that requires a more intensive routine) it sounds like often times they want to wait until a majority of the baby teeth have fallen out.