Metal Mouth Message Board

Last week I got my braces and so far only one tooth, my upper right canine, has given me any real pain and thankfully this disappeared in the last couple of days. However the pain returned full force today at my first appointment to get the wires trimmed.

Basically the dental therapist moved the wire from side to side a bit, so she could cut as much as she could, putting just enough pressure on the canine for the pain to flare to life again and then some. I left there having traded annoying wires poking me for horrible, agonising pain. Yay me. Still I had things to do and couldn't go home and curl up in the fetal position like I wanted to (I'm kidding... sorta). A little while later I was absentmindedly wandering around the supermarket, trying to remember what I went in for, when my nose started to itch. But when I went to scratch it I somehow managed to miss my nose and punch myself in the mouth instead. Okay, it was a light bump but it sure felt like a punch and I spent the next few minutes with my hand over my mouth to hide a silent scream and pretending to be completely absorbed in choosing what cheese to buy so people wouldn't notice. I'm lactose intolerant though, so no cheese for me. Then I pretended to be yawning when a few people did start staring at the crazy lady with tears in her eyes who was rudely blocking the cheese.

Not sure why I felt it was necessary to hide what happened from strangers... I guess I'm still self conscious about the braces. The whole thing left me feeling rather stupid and somewhat amused at/with myself. Anyway I'm sharing this in the hope that some of you might also have some funny or silly stories about braces that you might like to share. I'd love to read them if you feel like sharing.

Your story just made me feel really lucky that I've only had very minimal pain because of my braces. Hope the pain goes away quickly!

Sita wrote:A little while later I was absentmindedly wandering around the supermarket, trying to remember what I went in for, when my nose started to itch. But when I went to scratch it I somehow managed to miss my nose and punch myself in the mouth instead.

Aww, I've totally done that when my teeth were really sensitive, too! I managed to hit my jaw upward, causing my teeth to smash together. Not fun when they're very sensitive! I had a similar reaction to you, but I was in the company of just my mum so I could certainly verbalise it! Hehe.

Hang in there! They'll feel better soon

Sita, your supermarket story made me laugh so hard a bit ago, I had to share with my wife (who's also in braces) by reading out loud. Thanks for the great chuckle!

The worst was when I first got my braces. My top teeth mashed into my lower brackets, and it happened frequently while talking. So, I'd try to hide it, but of course the twitch in my eye was pretty noticeable. Not fun,but kinda funny to look back on.
It's a good idea to always take an advil before an appointment, and if you know they're planning something big take two. I keep telling my orthos they need a gum ball machine type advil dispenser, but they never listen.

All right, I will share my completely humiliating story with everyone...

Sometime last year, I decided to join a gym to finally get my fat butt (and fat everything else) back in shape. This club offered a complimentary one-time trainer. It's embarrassing enough for me to work out in front of people... Period... Let alone a young, skinny little "B".

Anyway, I had been having problems with a pokey wire that insisted on impaling my cheek. I also hadn't been drinking much water during my workout. Halfway through a conversation with her, the wire grabbed onto my cheek, and would not let go. Instead of saying, "That wasn't too bad," my sentence came out like, "That wasn't too baaaaAAAH!" I had to turn around and, using two hands, hold my cheek aside with one hand while pulling the wire out with the other. I was mortified. I made sure I was well-hydrated after that.

My best advice is to just laugh off the embarrassing times. I've accidentally spat on people; slurred my words beyond comprehension, and walked around with food stuck under my wires all day. And yes, I have also hit myself in the mouth. Yeah, not fun...

That's what I'm thinking. Laugh it off. Better that than crying.

I think from now on I will be taking ibuprofen before every appointment. I didn't think I would need it for getting wires clipped, but now I know better.

i do that all the time! well not usually punching myself (although i've done that) but my son and i have a knack for bonking heads, usually his crainum + my jaw. the number of times i have hurt my teeth or crushed my tongue with the lingual brackets... ugh

No real funny storie until now, but i agree better take it in laughing, what i try to do when i m talking and make it un-understanble (dry lips/cheeks, tongue stuck in inner hooks etc...) "oups sorry , reverse tape : i redo it in french".