how long before mouth toughens up

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#1 Post by **Lisa65** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:50 pm

I had my bottom molar bands put on last Monday and the buccal tubes are ripping my mouth to bits, they are so sharp, I just wondered how long does it take before the skin inside your mouth gets tougher?

I am using Peroxyl mouthwash with peroxide to hopefully stop any ulcers forming, my ortho didn't give me any wax to use and I couldn't find any in chemists today although I can go to his surgery and get some tomorrow.

Thanks for any advice.
Lisa

#2 Post by **nvcarissa** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:55 pm

Omigosh, I can't believe your ortho didn't give you any wax!! I couldn't have lived without mine for the first few weeks. The wax actually helped me to toughen my mouth as I would use it when the pain got too bad and it helped the brackets to not exacerbate the situation.

Can you call your ortho and tell them that you need wax? Or do they just not provide it at all?

#3 Post by **Lisa65** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 12:59 pm

He maybe just forgot nvcarissa, I can pop in there tomorrow after work and get some. Maybe he thought just the buccal tubes on their wouldn't irritate as I don't have the brackets and archwire yet.

#4 Post by **sjsarre** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 1:08 pm

I would definately stock up on wax... Your based in the UK aren't you??

If your dentist doesn't give you enough you can buy packets off the internet from a company in the UK.

My mouth has only really just toughened up now. I'm three months into treatment.. Problem is, every now and again a certain area will cause problems and you really do need wax with you just in case!!

#5 Post by **Jeneva** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 1:09 pm

i've had mine on for a week and i have to say, after a few days of having my mouth shredded, my mouth seems to have toughened to a point where i can function. I think if i were to get hit in the mouth i'd get cut, but then again, wouldn't we all...
i attribute this to using the comfort covers sold on denta-kit.com (highly, highly recommended!!!) and rinsing with full strength listerine a few times a day...

#6 Post by **CLAmom** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 1:59 pm

It took me a good 3 weeks to toughen up. I didn't think I would ever get used to the rough metal on the molar bands cutting up my tongue but eventually I did. I'm a firm believer in wax--it was my constant companion the first few weeks. I only use it occassionaly now. Knock wood.

#7 Post by **fitchick** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 2:17 pm

Hi Lisa,

I'd say mine toughened up on about week 3 after having the molar bands fitted. At some stage, brace day I think, they gave me a dental pack which includes, wax, mouthwash, toothbrush etc. I strongly recommend the saltwater mouthwashes though several times a day as I'm sure this helped more than anything. I also regularly rinse with mouthwash too. Believe me, it gets tons better very, very quickly.

Julie

Wed Jul 05, 2006 2:30 pm

I was pretty lucky. When I got my 4 molar bands on I had NO discomfort at all and I didn't even touch my supply of wax. But I guess no one is the same on this forum!

#9 Post by **KriegeR** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 2:52 pm

You will find that the toughness comes and goes, as some people have pointed out on here already. When I first had my brace fitted, it did cause quite a few sores in my mouth, with the help of wax, mouthwash, and Rinstead gel, these eventually disappeared and my mouth toughened up. However you will find that occasionally you will have 'relapses' from time to time where a previously tough bit of your mouth gets a little sore again.

Ask your orthodontist for some wax. They should give you some no problem. I remember about 6 months ago having my second set of bands fitted on my very back molars, and I forgot to take my wax with me to apply after the fitting was done. I asked the nurse if I could pinch a box and she gave me 4!

Needless to say I would send you one, but I've nearly used it all up!

#10 Post by **Lisa65** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 2:55 pm

Thanks everyone for your input.

I'll go tomorrow and ask my ortho for some, and I've also ordered some more off the net just in case I need lots over the next 18 months or so.

You lot are all really helpful

#11 Post by **ucldbmine** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 11:43 am

My ortho gave me 12 things of wax upon leaving from getting my brackets on. I don't know what stores are over in the UK but in deperation if you cant' get it from your ortho soon most drug stores have it. Walmart has 2 kids sylicone and standard wax. I like the sylicone feel on my gums better but seems to be harder to apply initally than standard wax.

#12 Post by **pk_girl** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 4:34 am

I used wax for about 2 days, it was too annoying. I let my mouth toughen up from the off.