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Since getting all my braces on the upper teeth (still no lower) on Tuesday, my tongue has been swollen and won't fit inside my mouth. It's now all scalloped and painful. I can't sleep at night because of that and the constant salivation... I will eventually find a way to hold my jaw so my tongue feels better, but then I have to swallow because my brain is stupid and thinks my braces are food Does anyone have any tips to help me stop this misery? I have been trying warm salt rinses, but they don't seem to be doing anything. I have cut down on my mouthwash - I read somewhere that helps. I just have constant awareness of my tongue and how sore it is and how it doesn't fit anymore
Wow, that sounds miserable -- and not at all normal, unless you have lingual braces. I am concerned that something in your oral care routine is causing the inflammation, or that you have an allergy to something in/on your braces. I would call your ortho.
I called the dentist and they were going to try and get me in, but they couldn't. So they told me to take Benadryl and see if that makes things better. I took some a minute ago, I shall see if it works. I hope it does. My teeth feel like they are twitching really badly today as well. My dentist said he'd never heard of that, ever. I will take the Benadryl and if it doesn't work I will call the emergency service over the weekend.
I ended up going to the urgent care because I couldn't swallow and I started to have a panic attack which made everything way worse, so my husband grabbed me and took to me to the doctor. They took one look at my hysterical ass and pumped me with a ton of Benadryl (to calm me down I think!) and the swelling went down to a more manageable level. Because so much goes into your mouth, it's so hard to find out what caused it. My tongue is still swollen but is way more manageable - I am not choking on soup now. My dentist says he's never heard of anyone having a reaction, the urgent care want me to see an allergist, but I can't until I see my PCM and he eliminates other issues, which is going to be 3 weeks from now. So here I sit with my big old tongue and an epi pen hoping it gets better!
I go back to have my braces tightened end of September, I guess at that time if my tongue swells up again I will KNOW it's something to do with the braces (I hope not, I don't want to take these puppies off)...
Thanks for your concern. Hopefully, it's just a one-off situation and everything will be better soon. There is nothing worse than being constantly aware of your tongue!
Glad to hear you're doing somewhat better and that you have epinephrine on hand. I hope you are able to isolate what caused your reaction. One thing to consider doing at home would be a complete elimination of all oral care products you used at the time of the reaction; brush with a new toothbrush and water only for a day before slowly adding back in whatever toothpaste, floss, gadgets, rinse, etc. you were using before to see if any one of them irritates your tongue.
I agree that you should see an allergist (can you book the appointment now and cancel it if your PCP finds the culprit?) -- he would be able to test you for allergies to various metals, glues, and latex. (I understand that, in the world of braces, nickel allergies are the most common, while latex is the most dangerous.) You could even bring the allergist a list from your dentist of the various etchants, glues, etc. that he actually used on you. (If I were your dentist I would be terrified of a lawsuit and very happy to oblige with this information!) There are low-allergy alternatives to just about every braces component, by the way, if you do isolate a particular allergy.
I wish, but we're military so I HAVE to get a referral before I can go anywhere.
They are some great tips, thank you. I will do that because I would like to sleep! If I can identify the problem prior to my next appointment with the dentist it would be a relief.
Thank you so much for everything, you've all been great.
Listen up: an allergy is nothing to play with or take casually. It could kill you. Do you understand? The next time it may be more than just a swollen tongue. If you started to feel that you couldn't swallow, that is a sign of anaphylaxis and is very serious. Look it up on Google if you don't believe me.
You need to see your dentist NOW and get your braces re-done with non-nickel brackets. If you are allergic to the latex, you need non-latex ligatures. This is an emergency, not a multi-week appointment waiting period.
You cannot wait WEEKS to get this resolved. Do you understand? Call your dentist and insist that he see you IMMEDIATELY!
I'm the owner/admin of this site. Had ceramic uppers, metal lowers ~3 years in my early 40's. Now in Hawley retainers at night!
bbsadmin wrote:Listen up: an allergy is nothing to play with or take casually. It could kill you. Do you understand? The next time it may be more than just a swollen tongue. If you started to feel that you couldn't swallow, that is a sign of anaphylaxis and is very serious. Look it up on Google if you don't believe me.
You need to see your dentist NOW and get your braces re-done with non-nickel brackets. If you are allergic to the latex, you need non-latex ligatures. This is an emergency, not a multi-week appointment waiting period.
You cannot wait WEEKS to get this resolved. Do you understand? Call your dentist and insist that he see you IMMEDIATELY!
This, absolutely. And if he balks, you'll need to immediately escalate this up the chain of command (I am a retired Navy Nurse Corps officer) and speak with the head of the department -- not the secretary, or the tech. Your life could be in jeopardy. If that doesn't work then I'd recommend you get immediately down to the Command suite and ask to speak with the XO about an issue that could be a matter of life or death. I've had mixed results with military dentists when I was on active duty -- some are quite good, others seem to be treading water until retirement. Once your airway closes, an epi pen may not be enough. This will not improve on its own and may likely deteriorate.
Dan
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. -- Buddist saying
Well, I got into see my doctor today and now my braces have been removed. I had a severe nickel allergy. He did a urine test but also held a nickel up to my arm for 10 minutes and I had a painful reaction. I am being referred to an allergist and will have a referral to a new ortho.
Thank you all for your support. Thankfully I was able to get into a doctor today who did not just dismiss me. I am sad to be missing my braces but glad that the problem is being solved. This new ortho is apparently very good has lots of reviews and is board certified. I have to wait until Sept-17th until I can get in to see him...But it will be worth it. I was not happy with the way my last provider treated me and did not want to continue with him. At least they gave me a full refund.
Does anyone have any tips to help me stop this misery? I have been trying warm salt rinses, but they don't seem to be doing anything. I have cut down on my mouthwash - I read somewhere that helps. I just have constant awareness of my tongue and how sore it is and how it doesn't fit anymore 
