Metal Mouth Message Board

Four weeks in, and I'm going through a bit of a low period as I can detect almost no changes yet. Perhaps a little on the lower; it appears that the one tooth that was really low has come up a bit, judging from the wire, but there's just not much room for it to move with all the crowding -- and at m...

That is amazing progress! I know you are thrilled. I'm at 4 weeks out, and comparing my photos, only a tiny change in the bottom (one tooth that was low has come up a bit). Top arch still looks exactly the same. Sigh...but I am older (56), and my understanding is that teeth move a lot slower when we...

Can you feel any difference when flossing? That was my first clue my teeth had started to shift...teeth that were very hard to floss between suddenly became a little easier. Actually, I do think I'm noticing that! My teeth are crowded, especially on the bottom, so it's not like big gaps are opening...

I have been taking photos once a week but have not seen any differences yet. I'm due for a new set of photos tomorrow, so I'll be looking closely. I really didn't have much soreness after getting new wires on the 18th, but self-ligating are supposed to hurt less than traditional ligating brackets, s...

I admit it, I'm obsessed with determining when my teeth are starting to move! I got my braces (self-ligating, like Damon but a different system) almost four weeks ago, and I can't tell if any movement has begun or not. My teeth look exactly the same to me as the day I got them on. I'm thinking my te...

Thanks so much! It's Monday, and I can't wait to see what he says. I hope braces can help my bite, and perhaps as a side effect, help with the grinding and clenching. I never did either until my bite went wonky because of my bike accident/jaw fractures. Glad to hear that you've experienced less gri...

No, it was just a generic one size type of guard. Technically it was an athletic style but. It worked for what I needed once I cut the little tab thingies off that stuck out of the front. I didnt need it for very long, once things moved around a bit more I stopped clenching. It must have been an un...

I clench and grid at night and found it super annoying not having a mouth guard at night. I bought a giant mouth guard for braces on Amazon and it sucked. So then I tried the disposable mouth guard that has just the plastic parts for the molar's.. and it works great! Which one did you buy? Thanks!

Let us know how it goes. I can't imagine! I don't have an overbite (thought I did but turns out it's an overjet instead, still learning the proper orthodontic terms...), so I don't think I'll have to have the build-ups. I'll be interested to hear how/what you manage to eat. Sounds like soft foods o...

I too think my teeth look yellower since getting braces (ceramic top and metal bottom, self-ligating like Damon system but called "Speed" system). However, my ortho tech told me no whitening toothpaste or rinses while in braces, so I guess I'll just have to live with it until I get them of...

assertives wrote:

EmilyTravels wrote:

assertives wrote: Nope. I had my cleaning done with the wires in. It didn't really hinder the cleaning process, just that I am not able to get my teeth polished.

Thank you! I get the most build up on the backs of my teeth anyway; those are certainly no different cleaning with wires in.

I went through a period of bad night clenching early in my treatment and my ortho gave me a clear guard I could wear at night over the braces. Maybe ask if they have anything that would work? Did the night guard cost extra? I am having the same problem periodically during the night. Also clenching ...

Aaaand my molars are in different zip codes... Let us know how it goes. I can't imagine! I don't have an overbite (thought I did but turns out it's an overjet instead, still learning the proper orthodontic terms...), so I don't think I'll have to have the build-ups. I'll be interested to hear how/w...

Since debracing I only use mine occasionally, and put it under the sink and off the counter. In the thread "Confess your orthodontic sins" someone posted that they use their flosser to blast away gunk around the sink drain and overflow hole, which I think is genius. I haven't tried it yet...

I second the regular cleanings with the general dentist. I go once every 3 to 4 months. Also, fluoride rinses would help too. I don't think it's the ortho's responsibility to tell you if you have developed a cavity, but your ortho would probably give you feedback on how effective (or not) your oral...