Metal Mouth Message Board

I use A & D Ointment, the stuff you find in the diaper rash section. Not the cream, the Vasoline-like kind. My lips will get so bad they bleed just from talking, and that stuff is the only thing that has really helped. I'm just figuring on having to do some serious lip rehab when the braces are ...

I feel your pain (literally). Just about the time your cheeks get used to the brackets, they throw those elastics on. They do tear the inside of the cheek all up to h*ll, but I can attest that you do get used to it. And better yet, they will do the job they're put in there for.

I've lurked here a bit over the past couple of years, but haven't actually posted until tonight. My name is Staci. I've always been self-conscious about my crooked teeth, so in August of 2010, at the age of 39, I finally started doing something about it. I have ceramics on my upper teeth (from Augus...

I ate a lot of mashed potatoes or rice right after my braces were put on. There were times after adjustments where even the rice hurt.

It sounds unlikely, but you do get used to it. Same with the elastics (though judging from my dental hygienist's remarks about my "poor cheeks", they must look pretty tender for a while).

I was 39. I'm 41 now.