Metal Mouth Message Board

My ortho doesn't do Hawleys. I'm okay since I'm only wearing them to sleep. But I still talk like I have them in when I don't. I was so trying so hard to speak clearly with them in that I forgot how to speak normally. My tongue is tired after conversing a bit. I never thought I'd miss jaw- clenching...

My braces are finally off! I got my Essix retainer last week and I was told to wear it most of the day (and all night) for a week, and then only at night. I was talking funny, tensing my jaw, tongue and throat. I finally got used to it, but now I'm having trouble speaking without it in. It's as if m...

I noticed that I have slight parenthetical lines around my mouth (I don't know if it's because of habits I've picked up since having the braces on or the movement of the teeth.) Anyone experience this? Will they go away? I'm only 27 and would like to delay wrinkles of any kind for as long as possibl...

I went to the dentist (hygienist for a cleaning) today and he came in and was impressed. He said my teeth look much less crowded. My boyfriend, friends and family were telling me that, but to hear it from the dentist made me smile.

People are telling me there's a change already (Got braces August 18th and been adjusted once.) I kind of agree! My teeth aren't as bucky and there's some space where there wasn't any. Is it possible?! When did you (or others) notice some change?

I'm not being poked by the wire though. Which is why I'm confused. There's no wire end there. Is it from the adjustment last week anyway though?

I seem to have a blister on my gums near my buccal tube bracket (on the cheek side.) Anyone else experience this? I've been doing salt water rinses. Any way to avoid them or other ways to treat them?

The center incisor is pushed out quite a bit due to thumb-sucking as child, so maybe it's being shifted back into line? It doesn't hurt or gotten worse, it just looks like the gum is lower in that corner. It's so tight between those teeth, I have a lot of trouble flossing there and in other spots. :...

I clenched my teeth before braces. I asked my ortho if it will hurt my treatment and he said no. (And my dentist said he'd make me a night guard when my treatment is done, perhaps in lieu of a retainer, if my ortho agrees.) So I wouldn't worry too much about it.

I have noticed my gum is a little swollen between my left lateral and center incisor. Is there some sort of infection or is this just a passing thing? I brush 3 or more times a day.

I'm getting lowers in a few months when my bite adjusts.

I got my uppers on and they feel pretty good. For now haha. It feels tight, but I'm okay. I have a very thin wire for the moment. I go back in 3 weeks. This is Month 1 of 18. I am ecstatic about having straight teeth!

I'm not in any pain, thankfully. And my Novocain lasted 5 hours (I had 4 shots to numb me.) So I'm okay. I just want to get my archwire and get started on my journey!

I just got out a premolar (only needed one upper removed.) I am going to the ortho on Thursday to put in my archwire (Already have brackets.) Is that too soon? How long did, those of you who had your premolars out, wait?

I'm getting one removed on top. I have my brackets on and will be archwired after that removal. I was worried, but it's just in the way. Welcome! I, too, wasn't braced as a kid and here I am now.