Metal Mouth Message Board

I had upper/top ibraces put on about three weeks ago and have adjusted for the most part to the speech issues (by packing the front braces with wax). No real eating issues past the second day and no real pain -- just the pressure feeling.

Anyway, I'm planning on getting the bottoms put on in mid-October. Was wondering if I'm going to have additional speech issues because of the lowers that I will need to be aware of or will I just have to deal with some soreness issues with my tongue?

Thanks - Kevin

Hi KJK--I only have lower ibraces and I only had speech problems for the first week, but nothing major at all (Question-do you have a fairly big or small mouth? I think that plays a part--I have a small mouth and a big tongue, so if I was OK, you should be fine. I am so scared to get the uppers oln due to the speech issues. I have read so much on this, but I guess I won't know how I will be until I get them... As far as your tongue being sore-YES--my tongue was so cut up and sore, I used so much wax, which really helped. And salt water rinses really soothe your tongue and mouth. How long are yours on for

Good to know - thanks. I was hoping I wouldn't have to go through the speech adjustment again.

I guess I would consider myself having a small mouth, but not sure about the tongue -- maybe that is something I'll discover when I get the lowers put in? Overall, I wouldn't say it was that big, so perhaps not as much of an issue -- let's hope.

For my uppers, the first week was tough on the speech, but I have been adjusting ever since - I'd say I'm almost back to 'normal', but have periods throughout the day where I'm not at my best. Having the wax in front of my uppers in the front of my mouth really helps.

What everyone says is totally true -- you need to practice talking not be afraid to talk (even though I'm definitely self-concious sometimes). It really does help.

I'm supposed to have them on between 15-18 months. My incisors next to my middle teeth need the most adjustment -- they stick out a bit, but other than that, not much else to correct besides perhaps a crooked tooth on my lowers.

how long are you supposed to have them on?

KJK wrote:Good to know - thanks. I was hoping I wouldn't have to go through the speech adjustment again.

I guess I would consider myself having a small mouth, but not sure about the tongue -- maybe that is something I'll discover when I get the lowers put in? Overall, I wouldn't say it was that big, so perhaps not as much of an issue -- let's hope.

For my uppers, the first week was tough on the speech, but I have been adjusting ever since - I'd say I'm almost back to 'normal', but have periods throughout the day where I'm not at my best. Having the wax in front of my uppers in the front of my mouth really helps.

What everyone says is totally true -- you need to practice talking not be afraid to talk (even though I'm definitely self-concious sometimes). It really does help.

I'm supposed to have them on between 15-18 months. My incisors next to my middle teeth need the most adjustment -- they stick out a bit, but other than that, not much else to correct besides perhaps a crooked tooth on my lowers.

how long are you supposed to have them on?

Hi KJK--ok...good to know that the speech thing isn't going to be all the time--it will just take getting used to....because my upper teeth are more crooked then my bottoms--well just the one on the right of my front tooth and then in the back they go in more, so the braces will widen them...I am supposed to have them on the same as you 15-18 months. But my bottoms are moving faster and better the my ortho predicted so he said maybe even shorter time! It's nice to see the results without having to look through metal (when you have the outside ones on).Can Iask a personal question? Any problems with kissing and other stuff with the tops? I haven't had a problem with the bottoms, but was just curious. I have heard mixed reviews on this site.

sorry for the long delay -- was traveling for work.

no issues at all with kissing -- my tongue felt a little strange at first, but my wife never mentioned anything.