elastics rubbing on side of lips- help!

[itsabouttime22]

My ortho has me wearing my elastics in a new position and ever since I have started wearing them this way they are rubbing the corners of my lips. I know have what look like little blisters on each side of my mouth, which needless to say looks awful. I only wear the elastics at night and I have been rubbing Vasoline all over my lips before bed, but it isn't helping.

Has this happened to anyone else- and if so do you have any advice? I have a feeling I will be wearing the elastics like this for a few months and don't want to walk around with my mouth looking like this.

[Snowglobe32]

I just started wearing elastics again yesterday. I had forgotten how annoying these things are! I am having irritation at the corners of my mouth...have you tired a product called Benzodent? It is similiar to orajel but it is a thicker paste that stays in place. I bought some at Target or Walmart. Apply it with a q-tip. When I have used it before, the paste stays in place and heals any sores practically overnight. Good Luck!

Wait a second, I re-read your post. Are these sores on the outside? If they are, could you be allergic to the latext in the elastic?

[itsabouttime22]

The blisters are right in the corners- so I guess a little on the inside and a little on the outside? I wore elastics the previous month but in another position and had no reaction, plus I've never had an allergic reaction to latex before so I'm thinking it is just the rubbing. I think I will pick up some of that ointment you mentioned and hope for the best- thanks for suggesting it!

[njsuburban]

Could be Chelitis due to the bands changing the shape of your lips. You may have saliva trapped in the corners allowing for bacteria to grow.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angular_cheilitis

[Bracer215]

I also wear my elastics at night and they are toward the front of my mouth in the shape of a triangle. About 4 weeks into wearing them I too had sores and it was from the elastic rubbing on the inside of my mouth. Then about a week later the sores went away and I have been fine since. Maybe my mouth toughened up.

[bookfairy]

I don't wear them for a day or so to give it time to heal, when my elsastics rub me the wrong way

Also - are you drinking enough? I know dry mouth are a you-are-in-braces-curse but when I wake up with my mouth really dry, I can feel the elastics impressions on my "mouth wall"!