Cheeks are killing me!

[prose]

I got braced (tops and bottoms) on November 2, then had two upper and two lower teeth extracted about three weeks later. Although each day has been some new feeling of pain, movement, or just general strangeness in my mouth, my current issue is the inside of my cheeks. Apparently at night I'm clinching my back teeth and catching my cheeks in the closures. The inside of my mouth is full of swollen areas that are hit by closing teeth all of the time. Chewing continues to be an issue, so much that I've lost 9 pounds since bracing day. Is there a suggestion out there to get me through this part of the process?

[klobird]

I'm not sure what is happening, but if your cheeks are getting chewed up by any part of your braces, then you can liberally put wax on the braces in the area where your cheeks are getting sores--wax works wonders. I find Mack's earplug wax the softest and easiest to apply. It sticks very well. If you forget to take it out when you eat, it will usually stay, but it won't hurt you if you swallow it.

Also helpful is Rincinol--(really helps with the mouth sores), and Oragel. I have used all of this stuff from time to time and they work for me. What I have also found is that what hurts today or this week, goes away and moves to somewhere else, because your teeth really are on the move..

Hope this helps!

[sirwired]

If you are losing significant weight, you should be talking to your ortho. In the meantime, supplement what you can chew with soft foods like canned soup (especially higher-calorie versions like chowders), eggs, etc. Nine pounds in six weeks isn't generally dangerous weight loss, but look for it to stabilize.

You can certainly drink nutritional drinks such as Ensure, but they aren't truly necessary as long as the diet you are chewing is relatively well-balanced.

But yes, load up on wax for any areas that your braces are rubbing. You don't need to use it indefinitely; just long enough for your cheeks to heal and toughen up.

[sea54change]

Prose- Welcome to the board! It sounds like you've had a rough month! Did your ortho give you any packets of wax in the little flat colored packages? I used to walk out of his office with at least 8 every time. I also like Klobirds suggestion of Mack's earplug wax. I use it for my husband's snoring, never thought about it for my teeth, but it makes perfect sense!

I love Klobirds comment, which is SOOOO true.
What I have also found is that what hurts today or this week, goes away and moves to somewhere else, because your teeth really are on the move..

[prose]

Thanks everyone for the words of advice! I've been using wax when there have been poking wires, but hadn't thought of it for this problem. It seems more like I am catching my cheeks between my clenched teeth at night. Must be doing some very serious thinking in my sleep!

Klobirds comment was encouraging...amazing how the uncomfortable areas do see to change, almost daily, as movement happens. Thanks for keeping me grounded!

[sea54change]

Prose-
Have you asked your dentist to be fitted for a mouth guard for night time? I had one for a few years when I was really stressed at work and was grinding my teeth. It might help you through this time frame as your teeth move and your jaw adjusts.

With my top braces recently off and my bottom braces still on, I now have a new sore on my left side where I've bitten the inside of my cheek several times- my mouth is adjusting to the new space created by removal of top braces.

[prose]

Thanks for the advice!

[TwistedShelby]

I did too, but only for the first month, somehow my mouth has got used to it and even in my sleep, I'm not chomping down on my cheeks.

[prose]

Maybe it is an early Christmas gift...but last night's sleep left me without any cheek biting! I felt so blessed when I awoke this morning! Also, earlier in the week I followed the advice of a number of internet sites, saying that Rincinol is an amazing oral rinse that coats the mouth to encourage healing. It tastes awful, but helped me through my waking hours.

Merry Christmas to all...and to all a good night!