Metal Mouth Message Board

I drink coffee and red wine but refuse to drink through a straw. I have ceramic brackets on top with wire ties. I have metal brackets on the bottom with smoke ligs. I haven't had any issue with staining with these. My clear power chains (my ortho only has clear) do get slightly stained but so far I ...

Power chains are odd. Sometimes they work right away and sometimes they don't. I got my newest power chains a week and a half ago. Today my top front teeth are hurting like crazy.

I agree about taking NSAIDs. They really do help. Also, be sure to take a dose prior to your adjustment. Another thing I found that helps me is to schedule a massage a day or so after my adjustment. Warm, moist compresses can also help.

Looks like I've started a thread of sadness. Sigh, why do braces have to hurt this much? I'm pretty sure if the pain wasn't that bad I wouldn't even have any negative thoughts about them. In my case I don't think I can tear down the picket fence and build a new one, after having done 4 extractions....

At my last adjustment my ortho put bends on each side of my lower wire. I asked her why and she explained that the bottom teeth tend to get excessive curve of spee, meaning your teeth start looking like a swoosh with them lower in the back and higher in the front. Since she did the bends my bottom t...

I question myself every day. I'm about eight months in to this and I feel nothing but regret. My teeth are looking great but I have dealt with a lot of pain. The week after an adjustment is the worse. My jaw is just so sensitive to the pressure. And don't even think about wearing elastics. I had fou...

I had braces when I was younger, but I don't remember having the pain and discomfort then that I do now. I'm sure everyone is different but now seven months into it I'm like UGH. Eye on the prize though. I think I am just going through an awkward phase. Hang in there it will be worth it. I have cera...

I don't think it's normal either. I go back today for an adjustment (maybe). My jaw is doing better. No real clicking except when I am eating, and that's off and on now. I'm just frustrated thinking I have screwed up my jaw. No matter how I place my jaw it feels off.

I'm currently on a break from elastics and need to eat soft foods for the next two week because I have been having some jaw joint issues (clicking when I chew, some ear issues). It started a few weeks ago when I received new wires, new power chains and moved up in elastic strength. First my ortho ha...

Timetoshine wrote:
Where I live we cut and kiwifruit in half and scoop it out with a spoon!

Great idea.

As an update. My jaw is already 75% back to normal and my ears have started draining. I also have some allergy issues going on that aren't helping, plus I was stressing out. Hopefully things keep progressing positively.

I am six months into treatment. I have power chains to close my gap. About three weeks ago my orthodontist had me start using a heavier Class II elastics. Since that time I have had ear problems (went to my primary care physician last week and he said I have a fluid build up). My ears are still maki...

Wow! Looks fantastic. Congratulations.

After

Rinse mouth with water>Brush>Floss

I just use floss. Had an adjustment yesterday and my ortho said I have excellent hygiene. A lot of people use water flossers though. Personal preference.