Metal Mouth Message Board

I was a pretty good flosser before braces and still found that I bled a little during flossing after they were first put on. Jennandtonic may be right -- just some temporary swelling, or perhaps due to small shifts in tooth position or extra pressure. For me, the problem went away after a couple of ...

I think I'm missing something with the Colgate Total thing. The times I've tried it, it leaves a greasy film on my tongue and makes everything taste funny. Guess it's just me... Right now, I use a combo of Arm & Hammer peroxicare and Biotene because I hate how the Biotene doesn't bubble but like...

I'm 31, in California, and my treatment time is 24 months.

Gel-Kam is actually made by Colgate. It's not a UK thing, it's just hard to find in stores. I order it from the internet. I believe Gel-Kam is more concentrated than Act and the literature I've seen says it prevents cavities better than sodium fluoride. It also helps tremendously with my sensitive t...

I agree with weird_wired....and I really don't think that most people seriously regret either choice. I thought I would regret my choice to do all metal, but I took one look in the mirror and thought, "Okay, there are braces on my teeth...Big deal." I'm pretty sure I would've thought the s...

1. 31 2. Um, every couple/few years...or whenever I had insurance 3. I'm reformed -- I'll go every 4-6 months for the rest of my life! 4. Hmm... Floss?? Maybe once a week before braces. 5. I'll brush less than 5x/day once braces are off, but otherwise, I plan to keep up the same general routine, inc...

I've heard it's possible to break or chip a tooth because of clenching or grinding.... though I'm sure it's not extremely common. Since right before my first adjustment on March 1, I've started clenching too :-( It's so bad that it's waking me up 3 times a night, so I went to the ortho this morning ...

Hi, Samantha08! I'm supposed to get them as part of my treatment but don't have them yet. They're even listed on the printed treatment plan I was given. My understanding is that they're to help open up the bite more...? I'm curious to know what they are like, if you care to share your experience wit...

It's possible that it's coincidental and totally unrelated to getting your elastics off....If it sounds like there's water in your ears, maybe you even have an ear infection or a sinus infection. You might want to call your regular doctor and get checked out. They'll be able to tell you if it's TMJ ...

Same problem here, Super Soo ! I had my first adjustment last week and got a spring up top, and now when I smile the thing pokes out in between my lips. The worst part is, it doesn't look like my braces so I think people are a little confused !! I also had much trouble closing my mouth when I first ...

I think everyone's different, but I'm in your same boat. Ever since I've had braces (almost 8 weeks), I've never had a day *without* any aching teeth. Some days it's several teeth, others it's just one or two... makes it very hard to eat, though. I just had my first adjustment where I was fitted wit...

Yay, Karen!!!!! What a great payoff for all that cleaning you've done these past several months You've inspired me to continue as well!

Perhaps an oral surgeon would be willing to try the extraction with a local anesthesia. That way, if there's a problem and it breaks, he can put you under and take the rest out if necessary(????) I will say that I have my wisdoms out under general anesthesia and the whole idea freaked me out beyond ...

I'm glad someone asked this, because I've noticed that my teeth touch now more than they used to. I've also noticed that the last few days my jaw is extremely tight and I don't really know why. It's like, I'll go to take a bite of something and I can hardly open my mouth! I'm going to ask my ortho a...

BraceFace15, I feel your pain -- I hate my teeth too :-( I had a bicuspid that never came in under a crowned baby tooth, and it's caused SO many problems. My teeth shifted, my jawbone eroded where the tooth should've been, and the teeth around it got all kinds of cavities. I don't know if this will...