Hi! New 34 Year-Old Guy Who Just Got Braces

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SaintsFan1
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:58 pm
Location: Houston, TX

Hi! New 34 Year-Old Guy Who Just Got Braces

#1 Post by SaintsFan1 »

Hello All! I'm 34 and just got braces 5 days ago for the second time- the first time, I was in college (21 y.o.) and only had them on my lowers for 9 months because my bottom teeth were crooked. I had a permanent retainer put in, then had it removed 4 or 5 years later and- you guessed it- my teeth got crooked again.
This time I've got ceramic (Ovation-C) on top and metal on the lowers- got both top and bottom since I had a small gap on top and ortho said it wouldn't make sense to just do the bottom. I'm not the guy you would've ever seen and thought that I had crooked teeth- it's just that the lowers bothered me and I noticed the gap on top in some pictures lately. Plus- and this is a really big plus- I've had this inner ear problem for the past several years, since right after I had my retainer removed, where I hear a loud POP or crackle in my left ear when I swallow- extremely annoying, maddening and at times debilitating. I've been to well over a dozen ear specialists, ENT's, etc. and tried every medication known to man to no avail. TMJ has been ruled out, but I've heard (and know) people who had ringing in their ears that stopped when they got braces-- so I'm hoping the braces help me. If not- then oh well, at least I'll have really nice teeth. :)
So far the braces have been a lot worse than i remember the last time- probably because i have upper and lower this time, and b/c I'm not 21 anymore hehe. Anyway, I haven't had any problems with pressure or tightness whatsoever-- my big (huge) problem has been canker sores. I've been prone to canker sores all my life, but these braces have completely torn up the inside of my mouth and it's like one big open sore. Yesterday (Day 4) was pure torture- the Advil wasn't working so I gave in and went to the drugstore to fill an Rx for Vicodin the doctor wrote 'in case' I needed it. Well, I go to fill it and the pharmacist points out that the doctor left my name off the Rx, just forgot to write it I guess- so i couldn't get it filled since it was Sat. night and they couldn't verify. I was ******. Took an Ambien and slept better, though. Funny thing is, I usually never take a pill unless I am dying. Today was a little better- tried Orajel with Benzocaine, which worked great- for a few seconds. Wax doesn't seem to help at all. Tomorrow, I'm calling the doctor, asking him to phone in the Vicodin Rx and an Rx for this "Miracle Mouthwash" I've read about online that's made with Lidocaine, Benadryl, etc.
Sorry about the novel, but it feels good to pour all this out to people who might understand. Thanks for listening.
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retainerjoe
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#2 Post by retainerjoe »

congrats on getting braced agian , i found in my first round of braces that the ceramic brackets i had on top were much bigger an at first seem to cut me up more , but after a few days things did get better , round two of braces for me was all metal i found them much easier to deal with , just wax a lot an it will help as you will find out ,
http://community.webshots.com/user/head ... =community this link also has my video of me getting my braces
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Katt
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#3 Post by Katt »

First of all Congrats!! Second I know how you feel about the cheeks. I was in tears mine were so torn up. Here's what I did: Salt water rinses, got some Kanka from walmart (helps numb up the spots and also creates a little barrier over the top of it). Got some stuff that helps keep your mouth moisturized for at night when your mouth really gets dry and sticks to the braces and tears them up. And drank lots of water. Last I had to CAKE on the wax and just tried to limit my talking for a day and kinda do closed mouth talking so as not to hurt the area. I'm on day 5 also and it is much better since doing that. Oh and don't foget the chapstick. Hope this helps because pain relievers did not help for me either.
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SaintsFan1
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:58 pm
Location: Houston, TX

#4 Post by SaintsFan1 »

Thanks for your excellent advice, RJ and Katt-- it's good to hear from others in a similar situation!
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Miss Smiley
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#5 Post by Miss Smiley »

If you need the wax use it! It does not make you a stronger person to just suck it up and take the lashings that our braces can cause to the soft tissue in our mouths! I was lucky to have had an unlimited supply of wax from my ortho's office and only needed to buy my own wax a few times. I was also provided Rincinol but did not use it. I was lucky to have been able to get away with wax, lip protector braces covers and keeping hydrated with tons of water. I'd use wax during the day and the covers at night as they would add some bulk to my mouth. Wax is very important to use to protect your tissues!!!
Upper and lower 1st premolars extracted
Uppers braced 4/6/07 & Lowers braced 4/20/07
ceramic brackets and rectangular arch wires
Est. term: 30-36 months
De-banded: 3/04/09 w/ LBR and U&L Essix
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SaintsFan1
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:58 pm
Location: Houston, TX

#6 Post by SaintsFan1 »

Miss Smiley wrote:If you need the wax use it! It does not make you a stronger person to just suck it up and take the lashings that our braces can cause to the soft tissue in our mouths! I was lucky to have had an unlimited supply of wax from my ortho's office and only needed to buy my own wax a few times. I was also provided Rincinol but did not use it. I was lucky to have been able to get away with wax, lip protector braces covers and keeping hydrated with tons of water. I'd use wax during the day and the covers at night as they would add some bulk to my mouth. Wax is very important to use to protect your tissues!!!
Thanks, but like I mentioned in my original post-- I tried the wax but it doesn't work... it just slides right off soon after I apply it; maybe I have an extra wet mouth or something hehe. Trust me, I'm not trying to be "tough guy"- if anything I'm a big baby when it comes to this stuff.... I DO have an update however: I mentioned in my OP that I tried to get my Vicodin Rx filled but the doc forgot to write my name etc.; well today I spoke to my doc, got the Rx filled along with an Rx for "Magic Mouthwash" (found it online) which is a mix of Lidocaine, Benadyl, and a couple other things. You swish it around and it numbs your whole mouth for a pretty good while-- that, along with the Vicodin have me feeling NOOOO pain... :D . Actually, I can still feel the sores a little but I just don't mind as much. I don't think I'll take the Vicodin for more than another day or two though, since I'm a little drowsy and seem to have lost my appetite... Thanks again, and I'll keep ya'll updated!
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Miss Smiley
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#7 Post by Miss Smiley »

You should try using a cotton swab to dry the area, then roll the wax around in your fingers to warm it up a bit, make sure your fingers are pretty dry too. If usuing regular wax I was sure to use a generous blob. When I used orthosil, I found I needed less to be comfortable and when dry it was fine.
Upper and lower 1st premolars extracted
Uppers braced 4/6/07 & Lowers braced 4/20/07
ceramic brackets and rectangular arch wires
Est. term: 30-36 months
De-banded: 3/04/09 w/ LBR and U&L Essix
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TEXLADY
Posts: 36
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2008 2:20 pm

Tongue being torn up not cheeks

#8 Post by TEXLADY »

My cheeks seem to be doing fine - however the underneath side of my tongue is killing me from rubbing in the back when I eat or talk. I use the wax all day but take it off when I go to eat something. I don't have any desire to eat whatsoever with this thing.
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breal87
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Location: Virginia

#9 Post by breal87 »

congrats dude!! 8)
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kaycee
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Location: Vermont

#10 Post by kaycee »

Hooray for Vicodin. Big globs of wax are good as well as the Kanka for the chafing, but there will be times when the pain is from your teeth adjusting to a new wire and not from chafing. I save the Vicodin for when my teeth are extra sensitive, either the day of or day after an adjustment. I have liquid Vicodin so I swish it around like mouthwash before I swallow it. It does a good job of numbing my mouth and then its off to bed. By morning, the pain is usually gone.
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SaintsFan1
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:58 pm
Location: Houston, TX

#11 Post by SaintsFan1 »

Thanks ya'll... It's been a week ago today that I got 'em on-- and things are getting much better. I only took the Vicodin that one afternoon/evening (3 pills total), yesterday back to Advil, then nothing today (except for the Magic Mouthwash before meals. I almost wish I had taken advantage of the Vicodin more :P , but the one night I took it I felt a little depressed (or just "weird" or "off") and couldn't sleep, plus I didn't feel like I needed it anymore. Thanks again, and congrats to all of you for going through this as well!
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Becca
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#12 Post by Becca »

I just went out and bought some Rincinol and Kanka. I have to say, the Rincinol is WONDERFUL! Haven't tried the Kanka, yet, but I'm about to. It's nice to finally get some relief! :D
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SaintsFan1
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:58 pm
Location: Houston, TX

#13 Post by SaintsFan1 »

Becca wrote:It's nice to finally get some relief! :D

True That. :thumbsup:


The pain really was exhausting... I guess I've been lucky so far in life that I haven't experienced high levels of pain very often (getting my wisdom teeth removed was an exception), but after this past weekend I have a lot of sympathy for people who have to live with pain everyday...
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cledin
Posts: 17
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2008 2:17 pm
Location: Southeastern Massachusetts

#14 Post by cledin »

Hi all ~ does anyone find that in a single day the pain and discomfort can come and go and even change like the wind? I woke up today and one of my top ceramic brackets was literally STUCK to my top lip!!! OUCH! (gotta keep a chapstick in every room!) Later, after a warm cup of tea, it's almost like I could forget I have braces....now the canker is acting up.

Saints Fan~what was the 'miracle mouthwash' you mentioned? I would be interested in trying that.....I've heard simply swishing with salt water too.

Oh, found out last night that two margaritas definitely help the pain too! :lol:

I hope you all have a great weekend!!
Christine

Day 18 for me (Ceramic uppers / metal lowers / molar bands) ~ four extractions to come (2/26)
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SaintsFan1
Posts: 8
Joined: Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:58 pm
Location: Houston, TX

#15 Post by SaintsFan1 »

cledin wrote:Hi all ~ does anyone find that in a single day the pain and discomfort can come and go and even change like the wind? I woke up today and one of my top ceramic brackets was literally STUCK to my top lip!!! OUCH! (gotta keep a chapstick in every room!) Later, after a warm cup of tea, it's almost like I could forget I have braces....now the canker is acting up.

Saints Fan~what was the 'miracle mouthwash' you mentioned? I would be interested in trying that.....I've heard simply swishing with salt water too.

Oh, found out last night that two margaritas definitely help the pain too! :lol:

I hope you all have a great weekend!!
Christine

Day 18 for me (Ceramic uppers / metal lowers / molar bands) ~ four extractions to come (2/26)

Hi Christine-- The Magic Mouthwash varies from doctor to doctor and pharmacy to pharmacy, but basically it's just a concoction of Lidocaine, Benadryl, and a couple of other things... The Lidocaine is the part that you need an Rx for, I think. Anyway, the finished product is a pink, creamy solution that you swish around and it numbs your mouth. It doesn't last a super-long time, but I find that it works longer than oOrajel or other over-the-counter stuff i've tried- plus it coats your whole mouth. I'm not even using it anymore, but when I did it was great for using right before meals so that I could enjoy eating, or right before I had to do a lot of talking for work, like on a conference call or something. Just call your doctor and I'm sure he'll know what you're talking about.
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