Metal Mouth Message Board

Within a few days of having braces I developed intense anxiety and frequent panic attacks. I started on medication and it improved in about 4-6 weeks. I was doing pretty well with much less anxiety and only a couple of milder panic attacks over the next couple months. Yesterday I had an adjustment w...

At adjustment today got new wires top and bottom - 18 stainless steel and what the orthodontist described as a "slight" reverse curve. It's my first stainless steel wire. I'm having some issues since, not so much the pain, but the increased tightness and pressure. I keep trying to tell mys...

Re-education, as in speech therapy or reduction as in surgery. The latter would seem extreme, and as assertively points out, I would really think about the possible consequences.

Andy, elastics sound interesting to say the least. I'm still in 18 niti. My next adjustment is 2/16. I don't know what to expect. He doesn't tell me in advance. I think it may be his way not to get me anxious, as he couches any change as "ready to try...?" And I think may go a little slowe...

Wendy, I agree with Emily and Assertives. I think trust and patience are going to be huge issues in treatment given your experience. My issue with panic and anxiety is completely different than yours, but my orthodontist's patience and understanding, as well as my complete trust in him has made all ...

I'm doing well, thanks Andy. I had to go back again for poking wires. They don't cut them but have the orthodontist grind them instead. They feel it's less likely to put pressure on the bracketed crowns I guess. I've had a couple of panic attacks with the bigger wire feeling tighter this month, but ...

Good to know! Fortunately the sores have improved a lot in the past day, so I'll keep using the peroxyl for now. Hope this doesn't happen with every adjustment.

I think it's just not healed and brackets are irritating. It was all 4 archwires poking so my cheeks are a mess. I'll get some today. At a health food store? Thanks!

Went back yesterday and he ground down all the wires instead of cutting them. It really helped, but something is still irritating the sores that are there. I've tried salt water and peroxyl mouthwash. Any other suggestions?

My best friend now has orders not to allow me to order spinach or broccoli when we're out no matter what I say! :lol: Reminds me of a scene from Young Frankenstein: https://youtu.be/ZZdUO3fizDg OMG. I love this movie, and Mel Brooks! High Anxiety is my favorite. I completely forgot this scene. :lol...

Thanks Assertives! I'll call tomorrow. Hard to believe they could move like that just overnight!!

Yesterday was my second adjustment, and yet another loose braces on one of my crowns put back. I was in 16 niti top and bottom and it never stopped hurting in some fashion over the past six weeks. Orthodontist encouraged me to try bigger wire, and at first was going to put 18 niti just on top and le...

I agree with Assertives. I have had some metal fillings replaced with composite, but only after many years when the meta filling had to be replaced anyway. My metal fillings are probably 30 years old at least, and I've already had to have composite replaced after about 10. I haven't had any negative...

Happy New Year Andy! I'm glad to hear braces are a relatively better experience for you than invisalign, and hearing your experience makes me feel better about my choice, and not wonder about the road not taken. I am doing better. No panic attacks in a month, I believe thanks to Prozac and self talk...

Hi Wendy. Was curious about how you're doing and what you've decided to do?