I got my braces put on yesterday, top and bottom! I have to say the pain from the rubbing onto gums wasnt as bad as i thought it would be (thank the lord for wax!)
But eating with a quad helix is absoloutly impossible!!
(heres a pic if you dont know what one is!)
http://www.mashpeeortho.com/images/quadhelix.jpg
The food always gets trapped at the top and the pain in my tongue is awful! i also cant swallow properly, and talking is now very difficult!
Does anyone have any eating/general tips to help make it a tad more comfortable?
thanks xD [/url]
Quad Helix Expander - Eating Problems!!
Moderator: bbsadmin
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Jessxxxpop
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2008 6:32 am
Quad Helix Expander - Eating Problems!!
Top and Bottom braces with Quad Helix expander since: 20th March 08.
Yeahh I'm a newbie xD
Yeahh I'm a newbie xD
Oh but I have something very similar to that.. mine is called a nance. It has a retainer like substance on the wire that is lodged in the top of you mouth and its attatched to the bands on my molars. I had a hard time eating and swallowing also, but after a little while you will get used to it. I still have problems with getting food stuck up underneath the retainer like part, and i have to use a waterpik to get it out. No worries, you will get use to the akwardness.. i promise! Good luck! 
December 12, 2007- Paritally Braced, left canine back in all two brackets, nance and both bands.
Feb 4, 2008 First "adjustment" and first power chain!
March 26, 2008 Second adjustment, new power chain and wire and a full banding date. Seven weeks!
May 12 2008-----Full Banding Date!!!
Feb 4, 2008 First "adjustment" and first power chain!
March 26, 2008 Second adjustment, new power chain and wire and a full banding date. Seven weeks!
May 12 2008-----Full Banding Date!!!
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cosmicgirl
- Posts: 219
- Joined: Sat Sep 15, 2007 1:52 pm
- Location: London
Hi Jess!
Poor you - braces and the dreaded helix put in altogether! I had 4 months of just braces and I was pretty miserable. Then the helix was introduced... AAGH! It is vile and I totally sympathise with you. You'll have a couple of weeks where you lisp and spit and drool, your tongue gets ripped to shreds - wax just doesn't stick for any amount of time - and eating is nigh impossible. Puree your food and you won't go hungry.
But, you know, the body adjusts really quickly and before you know it, you'll (almost) forget it's there...
Having said that, mine ought to be removed next visit - ONLY 28 days away yahoo!!!! And that day can't come quickly enough.
I must add though, it has worked its magic like a dream and my cross bite was fixed in 8 weeks. I need to keep it in a bit longer, for fear of relapse, but I don't mind, as long as it works.
Good luck and hang in there - pain killers, Peroxyl mouthwash and chewing gum - yes really! Chewing gets you on the road to recovery quickly - ALL have their part to play.
Poor you - braces and the dreaded helix put in altogether! I had 4 months of just braces and I was pretty miserable. Then the helix was introduced... AAGH! It is vile and I totally sympathise with you. You'll have a couple of weeks where you lisp and spit and drool, your tongue gets ripped to shreds - wax just doesn't stick for any amount of time - and eating is nigh impossible. Puree your food and you won't go hungry.
But, you know, the body adjusts really quickly and before you know it, you'll (almost) forget it's there...
Having said that, mine ought to be removed next visit - ONLY 28 days away yahoo!!!! And that day can't come quickly enough.
I must add though, it has worked its magic like a dream and my cross bite was fixed in 8 weeks. I need to keep it in a bit longer, for fear of relapse, but I don't mind, as long as it works.
Good luck and hang in there - pain killers, Peroxyl mouthwash and chewing gum - yes really! Chewing gets you on the road to recovery quickly - ALL have their part to play.
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cosmicgirl
- Posts: 219
- Joined: Sat Sep 15, 2007 1:52 pm
- Location: London
Hi Jess!
Poor you - braces and the dreaded helix put in altogether! I had 4 months of just braces and I was pretty miserable. Then the helix was introduced... AAGH! It is vile and I totally sympathise with you. You'll have a couple of weeks where you lisp and spit and drool, your tongue gets ripped to shreds - wax just doesn't stick for any amount of time - and eating is nigh impossible. Puree your food and you won't go hungry.
But, you know, the body adjusts really quickly and before you know it, you'll (almost) forget it's there...
Having said that, mine ought to be removed next visit - ONLY 28 days away yahoo!!!! And that day can't come quickly enough.
I must add though, it has worked its magic like a dream and my cross bite was fixed in 8 weeks. I need to keep it in a bit longer, for fear of relapse, but I don't mind, as long as it works.
Good luck and hang in there - pain killers, Peroxyl mouthwash and chewing gum - yes really! Chewing gets you on the road to recovery quickly - ALL have their part to play.
Poor you - braces and the dreaded helix put in altogether! I had 4 months of just braces and I was pretty miserable. Then the helix was introduced... AAGH! It is vile and I totally sympathise with you. You'll have a couple of weeks where you lisp and spit and drool, your tongue gets ripped to shreds - wax just doesn't stick for any amount of time - and eating is nigh impossible. Puree your food and you won't go hungry.
But, you know, the body adjusts really quickly and before you know it, you'll (almost) forget it's there...
Having said that, mine ought to be removed next visit - ONLY 28 days away yahoo!!!! And that day can't come quickly enough.
I must add though, it has worked its magic like a dream and my cross bite was fixed in 8 weeks. I need to keep it in a bit longer, for fear of relapse, but I don't mind, as long as it works.
Good luck and hang in there - pain killers, Peroxyl mouthwash and chewing gum - yes really! Chewing gets you on the road to recovery quickly - ALL have their part to play.
-
cosmicgirl
- Posts: 219
- Joined: Sat Sep 15, 2007 1:52 pm
- Location: London
Hi Jess!
Poor you - braces and the dreaded helix put in altogether! I had 4 months of just braces and I was pretty miserable. Then the helix was introduced... AAGH! It is vile and I totally sympathise with you. You'll have a couple of weeks where you lisp and spit and drool, your tongue gets ripped to shreds - wax just doesn't stick for any amount of time - and eating is nigh impossible. Puree your food and you won't go hungry.
But, you know, the body adjusts really quickly and before you know it, you'll (almost) forget it's there...
Having said that, mine ought to be removed next visit - ONLY 28 days away yahoo!!!! And that day can't come quickly enough.
I must add though, it has worked its magic like a dream and my cross bite was fixed in 8 weeks. I need to keep it in a bit longer, for fear of relapse, but I don't mind, as long as it works.
Good luck and hang in there - pain killers, Peroxyl mouthwash and chewing gum - yes really! Chewing gets you on the road to recovery quickly - ALL have their part to play.
Poor you - braces and the dreaded helix put in altogether! I had 4 months of just braces and I was pretty miserable. Then the helix was introduced... AAGH! It is vile and I totally sympathise with you. You'll have a couple of weeks where you lisp and spit and drool, your tongue gets ripped to shreds - wax just doesn't stick for any amount of time - and eating is nigh impossible. Puree your food and you won't go hungry.
But, you know, the body adjusts really quickly and before you know it, you'll (almost) forget it's there...
Having said that, mine ought to be removed next visit - ONLY 28 days away yahoo!!!! And that day can't come quickly enough.
I must add though, it has worked its magic like a dream and my cross bite was fixed in 8 weeks. I need to keep it in a bit longer, for fear of relapse, but I don't mind, as long as it works.
Good luck and hang in there - pain killers, Peroxyl mouthwash and chewing gum - yes really! Chewing gets you on the road to recovery quickly - ALL have their part to play.
-
cosmicgirl
- Posts: 219
- Joined: Sat Sep 15, 2007 1:52 pm
- Location: London
Hi Jess!
Poor you - braces and the dreaded helix put in altogether! I had 4 months of just braces and I was pretty miserable. Then the helix was introduced... AAGH! It is vile and I totally sympathise with you. You'll have a couple of weeks where you lisp and spit and drool, your tongue gets ripped to shreds - wax just doesn't stick for any amount of time - and eating is nigh impossible. Puree your food and you won't go hungry.
But, you know, the body adjusts really quickly and before you know it, you'll (almost) forget it's there...
Having said that, mine ought to be removed next visit - ONLY 28 days away yahoo!!!! And that day can't come quickly enough.
I must add though, it has worked its magic like a dream and my cross bite was fixed in 8 weeks. I need to keep it in a bit longer, for fear of relapse, but I don't mind, as long as it works.
Good luck and hang in there - pain killers, Peroxyl mouthwash and chewing gum - yes really! Chewing gets you on the road to recovery quickly - ALL have their part to play.
Poor you - braces and the dreaded helix put in altogether! I had 4 months of just braces and I was pretty miserable. Then the helix was introduced... AAGH! It is vile and I totally sympathise with you. You'll have a couple of weeks where you lisp and spit and drool, your tongue gets ripped to shreds - wax just doesn't stick for any amount of time - and eating is nigh impossible. Puree your food and you won't go hungry.
But, you know, the body adjusts really quickly and before you know it, you'll (almost) forget it's there...
Having said that, mine ought to be removed next visit - ONLY 28 days away yahoo!!!! And that day can't come quickly enough.
I must add though, it has worked its magic like a dream and my cross bite was fixed in 8 weeks. I need to keep it in a bit longer, for fear of relapse, but I don't mind, as long as it works.
Good luck and hang in there - pain killers, Peroxyl mouthwash and chewing gum - yes really! Chewing gets you on the road to recovery quickly - ALL have their part to play.
-
cosmicgirl
- Posts: 219
- Joined: Sat Sep 15, 2007 1:52 pm
- Location: London
Hi Jess!
Poor you - braces and the dreaded helix put in altogether! I had 4 months of just braces and I was pretty miserable. Then the helix was introduced... AAGH! It is vile and I totally sympathise with you. You'll have a couple of weeks where you lisp and spit and drool, your tongue gets ripped to shreds - wax just doesn't stick for any amount of time - and eating is nigh impossible. Puree your food and you won't go hungry.
But, you know, the body adjusts really quickly and before you know it, you'll (almost) forget it's there...
Having said that, mine ought to be removed next visit - ONLY 28 days away yahoo!!!! And that day can't come quickly enough.
I must add though, it has worked its magic like a dream and my cross bite was fixed in 8 weeks. I need to keep it in a bit longer, for fear of relapse, but I don't mind, as long as it works.
Good luck and hang in there - pain killers, Peroxyl mouthwash and chewing gum - yes really! Chewing gets you on the road to recovery quickly - ALL have their part to play.
Poor you - braces and the dreaded helix put in altogether! I had 4 months of just braces and I was pretty miserable. Then the helix was introduced... AAGH! It is vile and I totally sympathise with you. You'll have a couple of weeks where you lisp and spit and drool, your tongue gets ripped to shreds - wax just doesn't stick for any amount of time - and eating is nigh impossible. Puree your food and you won't go hungry.
But, you know, the body adjusts really quickly and before you know it, you'll (almost) forget it's there...
Having said that, mine ought to be removed next visit - ONLY 28 days away yahoo!!!! And that day can't come quickly enough.
I must add though, it has worked its magic like a dream and my cross bite was fixed in 8 weeks. I need to keep it in a bit longer, for fear of relapse, but I don't mind, as long as it works.
Good luck and hang in there - pain killers, Peroxyl mouthwash and chewing gum - yes really! Chewing gets you on the road to recovery quickly - ALL have their part to play.
-
cosmicgirl
- Posts: 219
- Joined: Sat Sep 15, 2007 1:52 pm
- Location: London
Don't worry Jess! You'll get used to it even if you think you can;t (I know it seems impossible but trust me). I promise. You just have to give it some time. I had palatal expander for 2 1/2 months (now, I'm in braces & a transpalatal arch) & mine is worse. I'm 14 BTW.
With that metal bar, everything can get stuck up there and swallowing is almost impossible at first! After a week or less, you will sometimes forget that you have expander!
Good luck,
Zameera
With that metal bar, everything can get stuck up there and swallowing is almost impossible at first! After a week or less, you will sometimes forget that you have expander!
Good luck,
Zameera
I feel your pain!! I had a quad helix for 6 months when I first had my braces put on. I was miserable by day 2 and couldn't even talk because it hurt so bad. I used the little proxy brushes and must have spent hours fishing food out of the little coil. Salad has to be the worst to get out. Hang in there and do the warm salt water rinses, they really do help. I had hit my breaking point with the tongue pain and then I had a great idea. When I used Sucrets to numb my throat, it always numbed my tongue more than it did my throat. I sucked on a Sucrets and the tongue pain went away for the first time. I practically cried because it felt so much better. Give it a shot and hang in there. Keep trying with the wax, any relief is better than none. It will be off before you know it and the rest is cake....
The best advice I can give with a quad helix is to try your best to have patience. I've had mine on for over 2 months now and I hardly know it's there. If your tongue is giving you troubles try and buy some numbing gel from the chemist and use 1/2 water 1/2 hydrogen peroxide rinses until the tongue heals up.
I talked funny for about 4-5 weeks but am pretty much right with it now, it will get better
I talked funny for about 4-5 weeks but am pretty much right with it now, it will get better
Jess,
My first week with the helix expanders was a lot like yours sounds.
However, I am confident that, after your first week of pinching your tongue in the helices and being so sore from all the rubbing and helix imprints (have you gotten that yet?) the pain and discomfort will subside. Your tongue will learn where the painful spaces are and stop going there. Remember to take ibuprofen or something else to reduce swelling and pain. It really helps a lot.
As for eating suggestions:
1) pick one side of your mouth that seems to work best and use it
2) softer foods
3) smaller pieces
4) don't chew as much
5) use whatever you are drinking to help wash the food out between bites
My absolute best suggestion for helping you maintain your sanity is to get a waterpik. I swear by mine. I rinse with it after each meal and it gets most, if not all, food bits out of the helices (and everywhere else!). It's kind of gross when you see how much food comes out, but just think...it's not stuck in your mouth any more
Best of luck to you and keep the end results in mind!
My first week with the helix expanders was a lot like yours sounds.
However, I am confident that, after your first week of pinching your tongue in the helices and being so sore from all the rubbing and helix imprints (have you gotten that yet?) the pain and discomfort will subside. Your tongue will learn where the painful spaces are and stop going there. Remember to take ibuprofen or something else to reduce swelling and pain. It really helps a lot.
As for eating suggestions:
1) pick one side of your mouth that seems to work best and use it
2) softer foods
3) smaller pieces
4) don't chew as much
5) use whatever you are drinking to help wash the food out between bites
My absolute best suggestion for helping you maintain your sanity is to get a waterpik. I swear by mine. I rinse with it after each meal and it gets most, if not all, food bits out of the helices (and everywhere else!). It's kind of gross when you see how much food comes out, but just think...it's not stuck in your mouth any more
Best of luck to you and keep the end results in mind!
I haven't read through all the replies yet. I was wondering if anyone posted about some type of wrap /bandaid that goes around that center piece? Many have found huge relief with this. I sympathize with you because I had one on my lower molars for 7 months. I was miserable for a few weeks with cuts in my tongue and I couldnt swallow or speak well for some time . You get used to it and you figure out where to put wax and how to make it stick even if the first doezen attempts dont work! lol
I got used it and I would often find my tongue playing with the expander. The day I got it off was like heaven for me. This will pass and it will be soooo worth it!
Gennel
I got used it and I would often find my tongue playing with the expander. The day I got it off was like heaven for me. This will pass and it will be soooo worth it!
Gennel
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cosmicgirl
- Posts: 219
- Joined: Sat Sep 15, 2007 1:52 pm
- Location: London
what a great idea Gennel! It sounds the perfect solution. But would a band-aid come off when you want it to??
I tried wax, but it kept falling off, then I thought - chewing gum! But as luck would have it, that only stuck to the molar bands and brackets...
I did find something called brace-eze which comes in a tube and once squirted on, solidifies. I'm off for a squeeze now and in the meantime will find the fabby website that sells it...!
Also liked the idea of the numbing throat pastilles. Aren't we an inventive lot!
I tried wax, but it kept falling off, then I thought - chewing gum! But as luck would have it, that only stuck to the molar bands and brackets...
I did find something called brace-eze which comes in a tube and once squirted on, solidifies. I'm off for a squeeze now and in the meantime will find the fabby website that sells it...!
Also liked the idea of the numbing throat pastilles. Aren't we an inventive lot!
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cosmicgirl
- Posts: 219
- Joined: Sat Sep 15, 2007 1:52 pm
- Location: London
