Small Rant.....

[Tobilei]

Sorry guys but I need to whinge! I've been holding it in for months, driving my other half mad. My braces are driving me nuts! I don't want to scare off anyone who's thinking about braces but for me this is a miserable experience! I've had about 4 days since I got them on when there hasn't been some kind of mouth ulcer and about a week total (not even in a row) where my teeth haven't hurt so much that I can't eat properly. I thought after the initial couple of weeks things would settle down and I'd ben in for a few days of pain after each adjustment but it's been 10 days since my last one and I still have most of the teeth in my head hurting like crazy

I also have a mouth ulcer the size of Queensland that's been there for 4 days (today is day 5) on the left inside of my cheek and it just won't go away. I've done rinses, I don't like the bonjella much and I can't get any wax to stick on that bracket for some reason. ARGH!!!! I want to cry today

Thanks for listening x

[OldBikerBag]

If you can't get wax to stay put, stuff some surgical cotton (gauze) between the offending bracket and your cheek. It will feel a little funny and make you look like you've got a gob of chewing tobacco in your mouth, but the ulcer won't heal with the bracket constantly tearing at it.

For the pain itself, try over-the-counter analgesics. I don't know what's available in Oz, but ibuprofen has been very effective for me. If it's not enough and you're not in a safety-sensitive job, don't be afraid to ask for advanced pain treatment. If your orthodontist refuses to prescribe something, see your physician.

[Tobilei]

Oldbikerbag (lol, I feel rude typing that!). Thanks! I popped down the chemist and grabbed some gauze and have it wedged in there as I type (along with a whole lot of braces relief gel!) Unfortunately I can't take ibuprofen, it messes with my stomach, but you can buy codiene over the counter in Aus and I have some of it so I'll take some and see if it helps. I appreciate the advice.

Ciara, I'm sorry you had such a bad time when you had them the first time I'm trying to stay positive but it's so hard! And I know, it's really weird how some people barely notice them and others are in agony. One of the dental assistants at my ortho's office said hers barely bothered her but one of the other girls couldn't eat solid food for a month and almost begged for them to be taken off. My little brother had a nightmare time with his too. Maybe it's genetic

Thanks for the advice.

[starfish88]

Make sure you keep drinking loads of water. I didn't really get ulcers until I went on holiday and being dehydrated on the plane made loads of ulcers appear and it was horrible. I fly back soon so will try not to fall asleep a dehydrate this time!

[Mary Crawley]

Sorry to hear you're having such a bad time. Mouth ulcers are the worst. I have a couple right now. I'm sure you've probably tried this, but just in case you haven't, try drying the area as best you can before sticking wax onto the bracket. Moisture makes the wax slip off.

[OldBikerBag]

Codeine is most effective in conjunction with another, weaker analgesic. Try it with acetaminophen, in normal doses. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) generally is much easier on the stomach, but is very hard on the liver in extreme doses. They like to mix the two drugs together here, call it Tylenol-3, force you to see the doctor for it and then charge four times what you'd pay for the generics individually.

My mom used to give me cloves to put on achy teeth when I was young.


And don't feel rude about my user name. It's my twisted sense of humor. Heh...

[starfish88]

Is that paracetamol to us outside the US? You can get the pills with both in in the pharmacy normally.

[OldBikerBag]

I googled paracetamol. It looks like it's the same thing.

[xanidu2012]

Hey biker. We're in the same class. My mom (88yo) used to put cloves on my teeth for pain when I was little. I keep a bottle of oil of cloves in medicine cabinet and I even use now with these darn braces. Quick relief.

[Ciara]

Yes, acetaminophen is paracetamol.

Not medication, but I found ice-cream really helped. Just numbing my mouth for a while relieved the pressure and discomfort.

Has anyone tried this: http://www.dentakit.com/gumease.html

[Tobilei]

Thanks everyone! I bought some gauze and jammed it in for most of yesterday afternoon and evening, dabbed a bunch of Kenalog (some kind of gritty mouth ulcer treatment) on before bed and it's a bit better this morning. I've managed to use half a box of tissues (not really ) drying the area and currently have some wax on there (decided it would stick today!). I've also loaded the sore spot up with a bunch of braces relief gel (it's very full on, my tongue is numb as well as half my mouth and I only used the tiniest bit!).

Yep, the codeine comes as a mixture of paracetamol and codeine, I don't know if you can buy codiene on it's own here. I generally just stick with panadol because even the codeine messes with my stomach a bit.

Ciara, that kind of reminds me of those teething rings you can buy for babies. They tell you not to freeze them now days but when my little brother was little they were generally chucked in the freezer. I'll have to stock up on some ice-cream. We've currently run out!

Thanks again everyone! I'm feeling a little better today. Some days are just really tough! I appreciate the support

[Dee17]

Hi Tobelei,
I just came across your rant. So sorry to hear you're still having such problems. I've been so lucky because I haven't had a single mouth ulcer yet. Glad to know you were finally able to get some relief. Hang in there, girl!
Dee

[Snowglobe32]

Have you tried Benzodent for your mouth sores?
It is a lifesaver! It stays on the sore because it is a paste-like material and it makes everything better by the next day!

Try it, it works!

[junglejulie]

All I can say is that I hope it gets better!

[Tobilei]

Thanks Dee! Hanging in there. This particular ulcer is a stubborn one. It just won't go away! I think it's because when I sleep the bracket digs in so I make it a bit better during the day, go to bed and it gets worse again

Snowglobe, sadly we don't get that here in Australia. I do have something called Kenalog which is a thick gritty paste you put on them at bedtime. It helps but you can't use it all the time Teething gel seems to be about as good as it gets in Australia. Thank you though

Thanks Junglejulie! I hope so too!