Metal Mouth Message Board

Yup, that happened to me too. At first it always seemed like my top lip was getting stuck on top of the last bracket on each side of my top teeth and that my mouth would freeze open in this wide expression. As i got more used to them i guess it doesn't happen so much anymore.

I always did more jaw clenching than grinding but something my ortho told me i found really interesting. He said of course alot of grinding and things like that is made worse by stress, habit etc but sometimes it is the body's way of trying to fix problems such as misaligned bite or jaw, etc. That m...

I'd give color a try on the bottom too if you are unsure about it. Like others have said - that way you can ease into it. Plus, someone said it is like a haircut - that's true, only you can ditch it quicker if you don't like it and it is much less hassle! Believe me, i got my hair completely chopped...

I had a lower extraction too and was told it (the gap) would be dealt with later in my treatment. I agree with the folks that said when people see you have braces, they assume it is part of the treatment, which it is.

The only thing I noticed with lifting and braces is that I clench my teeth differently during lifting. I hasn't affected the amount i lift or anything like that. I did loose a small amount of weight in the beginning (a few pounds) but unless you are competing I don't think that would have any drasti...

Carmex and straight old fashioned vasoline are all I use and swear by them. I used them even before I got braces because my skin is very dry. Chapstick has never worked for me.

My ortho's office gives you an oral-b triumph when you get your braces. I've used it twice. It makes me feel like my head is going to vibrate off. Maybe it just takes getting used to but thus far I prefer manual. I have two different sized brushes in my medicine cabinet and my tooth kit and between ...

I found that after a week or so eating became easier - i agree on the suggestions to definately keep practicing and easing your way into chewing. I too have experience the really dry mouth thing at night and all i can say is keep drinking that water! I find myself waking up at night and it feels lik...

Ghost i have the same problem with them being too crowded for the threader stuff and like others here I have found that the oral b satin works great. I used it before i got braces anyway for the same reason (teeth so crowded other stuff got stuck and caused bleeding, etc) so I happened to have some ...

I agree on not hiding them! They are impossible to hide anyway and I'm kinda proud to be taking care of myself so I do smile. Big and open! Someone else said this somewhere before on a different post and I agree with it - that it is more natural for them to smile now because all the stuff they used ...

Absolutely agree with these guys - give them a call. Like others, i was asked in a prior appointment from my actual b-day as to metal v ceramic, etc. so the plan was already laid out. My main factor in the choice was cost because at the time i was not sure how much my insurance would pay and the cer...

Hey Cowlypso - I can give some cost insight on an eastern US standard. In my case it was only one extraction and the tooth was a bottom tooth, fourth one from the back (sorry i do not know the correct terms for the tooth positions and i really need to learn them since i'll be in these things for a l...

Ha ha ha - yeah, i did notice the food particle/sink thing the first time I rinsed out after dinner on brace day! You are right - that could look kinda suspicious to the average restroom visitor! :oops: Oh yeah, i hear ya on the embarrassment of hubbies and kids. What does that funny bumper sticker ...

Hmmmm.....sounds like you are having a bad time of it. I am sorry to hear that. I can say that for me it took only a few days to stop using the wax, but everyone is different. The thing that I notice most is that I have to keep my mouth and lips moist or that is when i get rubs, etc. I think many of...

I'm weighing in late too but i agree with tmost on the timeframe and the wedding thing. Pics can be doctored, most are from far away and by that time, you'll be so used to your braces you may not want to go through the hassle of getting them off then on again. I too, like you and neelie, have the ov...