Canker Sores and swollen cheeks as a result

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#1 Post by **andie40** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 2:23 pm

Hello- I have just found this website and have gotten great information so far! What a supportive community of fellow brace faces. I have recently (5 weeks and 3 days ago) been braced with Damon braces. Second time-had them in the dark ages as a teen. Wasn't told to wear retainer for life, etc. SO, we all know what happened. My arch collapsed, back came the crossbite. And, here I am. Asking for your help...I don't remember braces being this much agony the first time around.

I have canker sores that are huge. They both being sliced in two because they are rubbing on my rubber bands. And are now causing my cheeks to swell. Talking hurts and eating is excruciating. What can I do???

Andie40

#2 Post by **blindboarder2008** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 2:49 pm

welcome aboard to this forum and sorry to hear you are having such a hard time with canker soares. I use "Kanka" for my canker soares and it really helps with them. takes the pain away and provides a barrier so things can't continue to rub up against them. Do you have ortho wax at all? It might be a good idea to use some of the wax cause that will also provide a barrier so that things don't continue to rub!!! You can also try using the salt water rinse (warm water with a teaspoon of salt). It doesn't sound very good but it definetly works! swish it around in your mouth. You can do this several times a day and it will help relieve some of the discomfort but clean your mouth at the same time and help with the inflamation. best of luck and hope this helps

#3 Post by **PatJ** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 12:54 am

Elastics cutting into the inside of your cheeks, talking like a ventriloquist in pain, and eating not much fun ... yes, I can identify with all that! The salt water really does help, use it each time you brush and clean. I keep a big container of salt in the bathroom. The other thing that I did out of sheer desperation for some relief (and you can only do this when you're at home with an understanding husband/partner who is not going to laugh!) is to cut up one of those round make-up remover cotton pads into quarters and just slide between your cheeks and teeth for a couple of hours. It looks gross but it just gives you a rest from the chafing and gives your poor cheeks a chance to heal. My ortho thought it was a pretty good idea!

#4 Post by **duckie** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 10:40 am

oh man. I feel for you. I really do.

#5 Post by **Shutter** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 4:57 pm

See if you can find a product called Canker Cover.

They are little pill shaped disks that you put on top of the sore. It adheres to the shore and forms a sort of soft bandage that lasts for about 6 - 8 hours.

There are two downsides to them - depending upon where the sore is, the cover can make it pretty hard to talk. Also, they tend to stain clear ligs if you have them.

But, they work pretty well. I tend to only use them at night (because of the talking factor) unless the sore is really bad.

#6 Post by **browneyedgrl** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 6:43 pm

I agree with blindboarder that kanka works great!!! I keep it in my bag at all times. I also find that rincinol works wonders as well.

I've used the canker cover prior to getting braces and it worked great!!! I didn't know that it stained clear ligs.

Good luck,

B

#7 Post by **bbsadmin** » Sun Apr 26, 2009 7:45 pm

Go to the drugstore and get some Rincinol PRN. It forms a protective shield on the sores and works well. In addition, warm salt water rinses might help. Also, use a lot of wax. Make yourself as comfortable as possibe!

#8 Post by **andie40** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 8:14 am

THANK YOU to all the wonderful replies...I have been rinsing with warm salt water. Amazed that it helps so much. Will try to find the Kanka remedy today at a drugstore. And I did use the rolled up cotton balls in my cheek last night. My husband thinks I am hilarious but beauty knows no pain-right? My cheeks are still killing me and I am actually getting another big sore on the other side. I think it is because I sleep on my side at night and am putting pressure on the rubber bands against my cheek. Frustrating but at least I have some tools to deal with the situation. I so appreciate all the advice and support on this website. We will all have such beautiful, white, straight teeth after the process...it will totally be worth the moments of torture.

#9 Post by **duckie** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 2:55 pm

I have found that the mouthwash with peroxide in it in the oral care aisle has been a godsend. It really helped my mouth heal quicker.

Tue Apr 28, 2009 9:24 pm

glad the salt water rinse is helping:) ya its a miracle worker. You don't think its actually going to work until you see its work in progress:) ya I find myself that I get more soares on one side then the other. I tend to sleep more on my one side then the other side so it would only make sense that, thatd be the side where i get all the soares. if you want you can always wax up that side of the mouth before you head off to bed to try to help deal with the soares if there really bothering you. Overtime your mouth will toughen up and you shouldn't get as many soares and as bad as well. good luck with the kanka. Hope it helps out as well!:)