Metal Mouth Message Board

I came across this in an ortho's website. Scroll down to the bottom.

http://www.drmehan.com/Patient%20Instructions.htm

Anybody been asked to do these "exercises"?

weird... nope- not me... although i'm still trying to figure out how "nobody will notice" you placing a paper clip in between your lips

Mostly I think that sounds like a bunch of hooey... but then I think about my treatment.

My ortho is totally surprised at how much progress my teeth have made, and I'm pretty sure it's because I took up swimming at the same time I got braces. Think of it - swimming requires your mouth to be closed in such a manner that is very similar to those exercises.

So maybe it's not a bunch of hooey.

If you wish additional cleansing of the teeth, utilize a Water Pik irrigating device with 1 shot of Listerine in the solution. Adding 1 squirt of antimicrobial soap (Dial, Softsoap, etc.) to the solution will help cleanse the teeth.

Huh??? Anyone else here wash their mouth out with soap?

Mmn.. I tried some of the lip squeeze exercises, it definately puts pressure on my teeth, however I don't think my teeth need to meet at the front as they will do anyway once they are pulled back and inline.

In fact I think I pull those faces without thinking about it anyway!!!

If you wish additional cleansing of the teeth, utilize a Water Pik irrigating device with 1 shot of Listerine in the solution. Adding 1 squirt of antimicrobial soap (Dial, Softsoap, etc.) to the solution will help cleanse the teeth.

Huh??? Anyone else here wash their mouth out with soap?

I don't think so!

At least not on PURPOSE!

My, you are brave!

LOL! Didn't it all froth up under the pressure of the Waterpik though? I can just imagine ending up with this huge mouthful of bubbles.

Soap rinses? No way!

Bianca, I'm not too sure about the swimming factor. My mouth is almost permanently open to get air in and out.

I came across this link again by chance when surfing the other day, so I thought I'd give the soap in the waterpik idea a go. I put a drop of liquid antibacterial soap and a shot of Listerine Tartar Control in the reservoir and went for it. I couldn't taste the soap and my teeth felt smooth and kinda squeaky clean afterwards. They didn't have that film that toothpaste sometimes seems to leave behind.

Not sure I'll take up cleaning with soap on a regular basis, but it was worth a try.

They look difficult. So far I can't get my back teeth to meet by biting closed. *lol* Instruction 1 = impossible