Metal Mouth Message Board

Hi, I just got powerchains all over my upper jaw for the first time since I was braced. I find that now with power chains, brushing just doesn't do good enough job as it used to (before I got power chains). I, of course, do clean with water pik, mouth wash, flossing. But I am wondering if anyone can...

Thank you for your replies. I actually just recently started craving gum because lately I haven't had time to go brush after lunch during work and I started realizing how much I miss chewing gum. I'll ask my ortho on my next adjustment.

How come people who are in braces cannot chew gum? I haven't tried it yet because I've been told that i can't chew gum. I never asked why but now I'm wondering. Before braces, I used to chew sugarless gum so I'm wondering if the warning is for those who chew gum that has sugar? Does gum get tangled ...

Just an update. I now don't need to use the dental wax much--particularly now that the spring coil was taken off 3 weeks ago. It made such a difference in the appearance of my teeth as well as no more dealing with the dental wax. Sometimes, if a wire pokes, I'll put the wax on it to stop bothering t...

I bet your ortho might be able to do that on the computer and see if he can photoshop or use some other program and make the edge smoother. You can do it yourself--take a picture of your teeth, upload on computer, open it in photoshop and try it.

Hi purplepetunia, Thanks so much for your advice and suggestions. I confess, I actually took 2 advil before sleeping and i was fine during the night--no pain--except my jaw felt like it was glued shut because of the elastics. And at night I got this horrible that I hadn't put the elastics on the rig...

Thanks so much, Purplepetunia! I know there are threads and I did some search but found unsatisfactory results. Do you know why we only get to wear them at night? I understand these are ortho's instructions but isn't wearing at night and then stopping during the day and again starting at night --doe...

Hi,
Today was my 2nd adjustment and I just got elastics to wear them at night only (for now, atleast thats what my ortho said). Anyhow, for those people who wore them at night--tonight's my 1st night, any advice? Should I take couple Ibuprofen before going to sleep?

Thanks!

denSMSgt, like your wife, I also got braces 2 months ago. But i didn't have any pain or any issue until few days ago. Now, sensitivity is not an issue anymore. Two days ago I was in agony and yesterday it was a bit less and today it's fine. Although cold weather (i'm from Chicago) sometimes aggravat...

Thanks for your replies. I have extreme sensitivity in that one tooth (tooth #2). And now I have some slight swelling on the cheek bone or mastoids (as my friend told me). So I have taken advil so it will reduce some swelling. I hope you're right and it gets better soon.

Hi, My two upper teeth suddenly became sensitive last sunday--they were hurting couple days before. And now no matter what I eat or drink (luke warm water or milk), it hurts. I called my orthodontist and I was told that it's normal. I started using Sensodyne toothpaste but again I was told it has to...

Braceface, I completely agree. Those listerine strips are the BEST! And to others, I use the ACT mouthwash--the green one--and since it says on the label to use it once a day, I tend to use it at night but use other mouthwash during the day--I do get dry mouth--but I realize now that I am not drinki...

I'm a little concerned is how dependent I am on dental wax. I need dental wax at night because I have on coil spring on top and coil spring on bottom. Even if I just put the wax on coil springs, it's not enough. I still need to put wax on my other metal or clear brackets. The inside of my lips still...

Hi all, Today I was checking out my orthodontist's website and I noticed that he doesn't endorse In-Ovation braces anymore but rather Damon was the one he was advertising besides traditional metal and Invisialign braces. Currently, I have In-ovation clear on top and In-ovation metal on the bottom. I...

Hi XBIBIX,
Mine cost me close to $300 or a little over it for my 1 front tooth--this was back in 2007. It didn't get covered by my insurance because it is considered cosmetic.