Braces on...and random question...

[MelissaMUA]

So, my top braces are on as of Thursday!!! A bit of pain, not horrendous....I can already tell what is moving in my mouth...weird. I didn't think I would notice that quickly. My bottom braces go on June 5th. Woo! Can't wait to have nice teeth!

Question- Has anyone had itchy gums? My gums itch over a specific tooth, which happens to be crowned and root canaled, and it is a tiny bit red and sore. Just wondering if I should be super concerned. It's not horrible pain or anything, just unusual. I noticed it after I left the ortho, when they were put on, so it's not food that's stuck. And I brush and floss like five times a day.

[Kipepeo]

Oh my gosh, your teeth are so pretty.

[Tobilei]

I agree, your teeth are already very pretty

As for itchy teeth, sometimes I get irritation above back brackets and the one's with hooks on them. Otherwise I get itchy gums when teeth are aching but it's more like an annoying itch than an actual one that needs to be scratched. See how it goes for 24 hours and if it gets worse or you're worried about the redness maybe call your ortho.

[isthistaken]

I noticed that in the beginning, used the picks a lot more than I do now.

[MelissaMUA]

Kipepeo - Thanks! Yours are gorgeous! I've always had an issue with them, can't believe they will actually be straight for once in my life! I might actually cry when my braces come off.....

Tobilei - Aw, thanks! Yes, it is one of the back brackets with a hook, it's doing a little better today. Maybe it's just my teeth getting used to being moved. That is my problem tooth, has been forever.

isthistaken - What picks did you use? I have a water pick, haven't used it yet, I feel like I will later on, when my teeth aren't as sore.

[Kurisu]

Wow your teeth are quite pretty!! How do you keep them white? I'm worried about yellowing during the braces process :/

How long do you have to wear them for?

[isthistaken]

Kipepeo - Thanks! Yours are gorgeous! I've always had an issue with them, can't believe they will actually be straight for once in my life! I might actually cry when my braces come off.....

Tobilei - Aw, thanks! Yes, it is one of the back brackets with a hook, it's doing a little better today. Maybe it's just my teeth getting used to being moved. That is my problem tooth, has been forever.

isthistaken - What picks did you use? I have a water pick, haven't used it yet, I feel like I will later on, when my teeth aren't as sore.

I used "soft picks" that the ortho gave me, little toothpicks with brushes. They are also available at stores (in US anyway.)

You can adjust the WaterPik so that it is very gentle. In fact if my teeth are bugging me I just use the brush attachment on the WaterPik instead of brushing until they calm down.

[MelissaMUA]

Kurisu - Thanks! I used whitening strips for a couple months before I got them on, I still use whitening toothpaste every day, and I brush five times a day or so. I've only had them on since Thursday, I'm hoping they don't get too yellow during my treatment. I gave up coffee and anything with a lot of coloring in it, trying to keep them looking as good as possible. I am going to be in them for 12-18 months. I am hoping for 12-14, and my ortho knows I want them off ASAP, so we are working together to make it happen as fast as my teeth will allow.

Do you have yours on yet? How long is your treatment?



isthistaken - Ah, got it! They kinda look like tiny trees, right? My ortho gave me one, I'll have to buy some more soon.

I'll have to try that with my waterpik. For now I'm using a super soft toothbrush they gave me to brush with, that is about all the pressure my teeth can handle. But the waterpik might feel good, I'm gonna try it before bed tonight.

[SunshineRay]

which whitening strips did you use? I agree that your teeth are pretty!

[MelissaMUA]

SunshineRay - Thanks! I used the regular Crest WhiteStrips, and Rembrandt whitening toothpaste. I still use the whitening toothpaste everytime I brush.

[jrk7382]

Is it maybe just pressure from the brackets causing your gums to swell/compress?