Metal Mouth Message Board

My first week with ibraces has been quite the experience. I haven't had to use wax for 3 days now!!

My speech is absolutely terrible. I have a very small mouth, and feel like my tongue still has no where to go, so it makes it really difficult to talk. Don't get me wrong, I think my speech is a lot better than day one, but I'm still having problems with s's and th's. Is this going to improve?

I've noticed how much my teeth are moving though. I have a slight gap in between my two front teeth - how long until I being to see a major improvement? My brothers wedding is July 26 and I don't want any gaps! ahah

I'm still also on soft foods. I don't even want to eat, which is horrible, but it's such a hassle. Basically my daily intake consists of tea and cookies in the morning. Yogurt, banana, cherrios, then dinner is some pasta soaked up in sauce. I tried eating other foods but I find myself swallowing whole pieces because I can't chew.

One of the biggest discomforts right now is my jaw. I've been taking advil and excedrin for the past two days, but nothing seems to be helping. It seems to get worse at the end of the day (I still answer the phones at work.. and do a lot of talking). I start slurring my speech and feel like my jaw locks. It is also hurting when I yawn or open my mouth to eat. Does anyone know what's causing this?

What's normal for week 1? What should I except in the weeks to come?

Thanks in advance!!

I also had some jaw pain about 2 weeks into my treatment. Your speech will get better. Also my teeth have moved a considerable amount. I am really getting used to these things. good luck to you

perfectlystraight wrote:My first week with ibraces has been quite the experience. I haven't had to use wax for 3 days now!!

My speech is absolutely terrible. I have a very small mouth, and feel like my tongue still has no where to go, so it makes it really difficult to talk. Don't get me wrong, I think my speech is a lot better than day one, but I'm still having problems with s's and th's. Is this going to improve?

I've noticed how much my teeth are moving though. I have a slight gap in between my two front teeth - how long until I being to see a major improvement? My brothers wedding is July 26 and I don't want any gaps! ahah

I'm still also on soft foods. I don't even want to eat, which is horrible, but it's such a hassle. Basically my daily intake consists of tea and cookies in the morning. Yogurt, banana, cherrios, then dinner is some pasta soaked up in sauce. I tried eating other foods but I find myself swallowing whole pieces because I can't chew.

One of the biggest discomforts right now is my jaw. I've been taking advil and excedrin for the past two days, but nothing seems to be helping. It seems to get worse at the end of the day (I still answer the phones at work.. and do a lot of talking). I start slurring my speech and feel like my jaw locks. It is also hurting when I yawn or open my mouth to eat. Does anyone know what's causing this?

What's normal for week 1? What should I except in the weeks to come?

Thanks in advance!!

Congrats on starting your journey.....
The first week is the worst..... I went off my food and lost my appetite- food became a chore not a pleasure... but this will change and even though I no longer pick- eg eating in between meals I can now manage proper full meals and enjoy them.

I honestly can't say about when you can expect to see changes- infact I would love to know this my-self. I have seen no changes at all in my teeth!
I also can't help with your jaw pain- I personally have not experiened this- however I am sure its normal- I am lucky my jaw does not ache however I cant chew at all as my teeth seem not strong enough to do this action now!...

Speech will get better by the day.... If i wear wax on the upper linguals (ibraces) then this improves my speach.... however my speach is worse in the evenings when I take the wax off and I am tired.... it seems hard work then to speak.

Its funny that nobody had said anything/or commented on my speach... even when I have explained about my brace -they then say that they have noticed a slight lisp.... but only if I point it out-
what I am trying to say is I think a lot of my issues I think are in my head and I think I sound worse than I actually do....
It honestly gets better by the day.... and easier.....its a lot to deal with having a brace- but remind yourself why you are doing it..... think of that smile you will b e proud of.....

xx
Its all worth it..... and think of those perfect teeth you will have...

I cannot remember my first week enough to relay in detail, however...i remember the first month oh so well and it was TOUGH to say the least. I really did doubt my reasons for doing all this because I was in pain, my mouth felt small and my tongue felt too big to have linguals. Then after I got extractions I thought I'd end up with one of those misshapen tongues b/c my mouth was too small or a pie face b/c i needed more teeth. It was scary.

Bottom line, I can't remember the details but I remember it was scary. Hang in there as things will gradually improve, but improve...they will. Your speech will become closer to normal and you'll be able to eat everything except a good sandwich really, really soon.

BTW, congrats on starting the journey!!!!