Sleeping advice...

[ohmyjaw]

I have had this problem from time to time - I wake up with nice grooves along the insides of my cheeks. You will find that the insides of your mouth toughen up after a while, but in the meantime, use wax if it helps.

[Lisa65]

After a while the groove carved into your cheeks by the archwire will provide a convenient resting spot for it. After 18 months I have permanent grooves inside my mouth which are as tough as old boots. As a side or face down sleeper I did use wax to begin with on some of the brackets, but soon found I didn't need it, as long as I stayed hydrated. A glass of water beside the bed is good if you wake up with brackets stuck to your cheeks. A swish of water will "unstick" them.

[cosmicgirl]

Hi there metalmouthmom!
Happy New Year!

Wax wax and wax again! It's the only way to get instant relief! Just break a little bit off, warm it up between your fingers and squish onto the offending bracket/wire. AAAH that's better!
I've stocked up and have little packets secreted all over the place - at work, in the depths of my handbag, in the car, by the bed.... can't live without the stuff.

[calyanne]

i just got morgan bumpers (google it if needed) and wow what a difference. they say not to sleep with em in, but im assuming thats a CYA thing to make sure so one sues them for choking but screw em, it works great at night.

[4113n]

being hydrated actually works, or if its the end of the wires that are the problem, ask your ortho to cut them shorter

[calyanne]

wow, let me tell you, i know all about staying hydrated now! New year's eve night i learned my lesson big time by drinking alcohol and not enough water before going to bed. i was dying new year's day feeling all cut up and sore! drink water, drink water drink water! it really helps!

[Miss Smiley]

I can't agree more with all the suggestions on keeping hydrated. Also, I did use wax for night time, but I had a good length of my wire digging due to my wayward molar so I invested in a lip protector for braces cover. It clipped right onto the archwire and was great for night time. I didn't end up choking on it because my face was planted to one side as I slept with my mouth hanging wide open for all the bugs to hide out in. After a couple weeks I didn't need it anymore as my mouth had adjusted to the hardware.

[mariahfromchicago]

Hi there metalmouthmom!
Happy New Year!

Wax wax and wax again! It's the only way to get instant relief! Just break a little bit off, warm it up between your fingers and squish onto the offending bracket/wire. AAAH that's better!
I've stocked up and have little packets secreted all over the place - at work, in the depths of my handbag, in the car, by the bed.... can't live without the stuff.

I've never used it... I just toughed it out. Call me crazy. I never invested in any cover.
- mariah

[Tin Indian]

I used the Comfort Covers and wax that I bought from Lynn for the first week or so but what really helped me was the salt water rinses. They seem to toughten up the whole insides of your mouth. And don't forget to keep yourself really hydrated and use lip balm liberally. I use Carmex as it has a waxey feel that seems to keep my lips lubricated from sticking to my brackets. Maybe sleeping on your back could you help too, but the wife thinks I snore to much that way!