Metal Mouth Message Board

I'm new to braces (just put on today), and I'm having trouble with what I think is referred to the molar band (that metal tube that goes around my back teeth).

The issue is that something comes off of it into the inside of my mouth on both top molar bands. The bottoms are very smooth on the inside of my mouth, but the tops have this terrible thing coming in. I have already developed a canker sore from its rubbing. I've attempted to put wax back there, but can't seem to dry it out enough for anything to stick.

Does anyone have any suggestions for getting it back there and for me to be more comfortable? I'm popping Advil and water like everyone else seems to be saying.

Thank you so much!

I have two bands, and one of them was very annoying. For some reason, the "cleat" (or whatever it is) on one band was sharp and stuck out toward my tongue, but the other one didn't. I told my ortho about it, and his assistant clamped it down for me. That helped a lot! I still had to put wax on it for a few days, but it hasn't hurt since.

I'm not sure why your wax isn't sticking. Maybe if they can smooth out your cleat, you'll have better luck.

Hope it gets better for you soon!

I complained to my ortho about the cleats and he clamped them down with pliers, flattening them down. However, they regained their original annoying position within the week!

I use a small cotton hanky and dry out the band before waxing it. I do this at home before I leave for work and after lunch brushing at work. I had to experiment with various sizes of wax before I found one which stayed in place till my next meal.

Being well hydrated also helps!

Thank you all for your help!

I've done a lot of what you have suggested: the sugarfree gum works really well when I can't get the wax to stick, and drying it out with a hankie I never even though of!

Will my tongue grow a callus where the cleats are? If so, there's no sense in hauling myself to the ortho (over a 1/2 hour away) to get them clamped down.

Thanks!

Thank you all for your help!

I've done a lot of what you have suggested: the sugarfree gum works really well when I can't get the wax to stick, and drying it out with a hankie I never even though of!

Will my tongue grow a callus where the cleats are? If so, there's no sense in hauling myself to the ortho (over a 1/2 hour away) to get them clamped down.

Thanks!

Thank you all for your help!

I've done a lot of what you have suggested: the sugarfree gum works really well when I can't get the wax to stick, and drying it out with a hankie I never even though of!

Will my tongue grow a callus where the cleats are? If so, there's no sense in hauling myself to the ortho (over a 1/2 hour away) to get them clamped down.

Thanks!

I'm not sure about the callus growing but I've gotten used to the cleats and metal bits in general... yet there are days when they would still irritate me and I'd only feel better after waxing them.