Metal Mouth Message Board

Yesterday, I went for my second adjustment. I am not having my teeth straightened, but rather the gaps between them closed. All they did yesterday was change the chains I have on my upper and lowers -- long for the uppers and medium for the lowers. They left the archwires alone. So why are my lower braces irritating my lip now when I eat? I mean they didn't do anything other than change the chains and I had no discomfort whatsoever before they did this. What the heck could the problem be?

Well, you probably have a bit of movement from your adjustment, and since the brackets are hitting in a slightly different place, you have irritation. This used to happen to me. Sometimes the movement is very small, but nevertheless....

Well, that makes sense. Thanks!

Erin

When they put on powerchains on the entire arch, it seems my bite changes immensely that very same day! Our mouths are very sensitive to the slightest changes.

Thanks, everyone! My DH got braces shortly after we were married, but he had different issues than me. His teeth were very crooked and twisted whereas mine are basically straight, but lots of big gaps. I remember how much agony he'd be in for days after seeing the ortho, but I haven't had much pain at all. Certainly not like he did! Other than an occasional wire stick, I really haven't had much discomfort either. The gaps are closing -- I can see that -- especially the really big one between my front teeth. I'm so happy about that, because I think when your teeth are still bad AND you have braces, it makes you even more self-conscious. Every time I see an ad for orthodontics, the models always have braces on top of beautifully straight white teeth and I'd think, "Wow, that doesn't look too bad. I think I can handle that!" What you don't realize though is it takes a while to reach that point! LOL

Erin