Metal Mouth Message Board

Hello all!

I've had my Damon braces on for 3 weeks now and a friend at work referred me to your site. All of the information, stories, and support I see here are quite spectacular!

I'm 31 years old and this is the first time I've ever had braces. When I was a kid the dentist told me I didn't need them, but I could get them if I wanted. Silly man! Once slightly crooked tooth on the bottom just wasn't worth it! Now, years later with lots of teeth grinding, my bottom teeth have moved really quickly. I finally decided to take care of it now in hopes that the treatment won't take as long if I address it early.

I've been searching for any information on teeth grinding, but have so far been unsuccessful - or maybe I'm just too new to the site. I imagine I am not alone in my teeth grinding, but what I don't know is how other people deal with it. Mouthguards perhaps? Does grinding one's teeth make the whole process of wearing braces longer? Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated. I got braces to correct crowding on my bottom teeth, but they seem to be moving closer together. Is this a normal thing or do I need to be concerned?

Thanks in advance!

Hello HavocBlue:

My Ortho said that I grind my teeth too. He said that getting the teeth and bite into a better alignment will help a bit. For me, my Ortho recommended permanent retainers (after the braces) and a mouthguard then.

Ask your Ortho, what s/he recommend for you.

BTW, how do you like your Damon braces? I am getting mine on Mar 22.

Thanks for all of the feedback and for putting a name to the teeth grinding! Bruxism, huh? I've never heard the word, but I'm sure I'll start to use it!

The weird thing is that I mentioned the bruxism to my ortho before I got the braces and while I was getting them on. I was told to get one of the cheap ones because my bite will change constantly. That was about the extent of it. I have an adjustment in mid April so I'll bring it up again then. I've been dealing with a cheap nightguard and making adjustments. Luckily, I'm a jeweler so I have all sorts of neat tools that make fitting easier.

To answer your question, WiredforSound, the Damons aren't too bad. I can handle the pain and the change in diet - even if it means I can't eat licorice for a year. No one told me about the weight loss that comes with the braces though, which I'll admit to liking a lot. Of course not being able to eat pounds of licorice per week helps. I can even handle what I look like with braces. What I really don't care for is not being able to get used to talking again. I feel like I slur and lisp constantly and any word with the letters "f" and "v" in it is difficult for me. The pain wasn't too bad as long as I wasn't putting pressure on my teeth. I'll admit to taking some Excederin the first night I got them. Somehow I thought eating toast would be ok. Other than that, I haven't had to take anything for the pain. It went away after a few days and now it is more pressure than anything.

Any advice on the slurring? I try to annunciate clearly, but then I look like Mr. Ed trying to move my lips way out of the way.

Okay, I'm officially switching to KiwiK's ortho so I can continue to eat licorice!! My ortho said "no way." What gives?

That makes a lot of sense to me. I also expect that as you get used to the braces you learn your limits. I guess I'll find out soon.. Anyway, Australia might be a bit too far to go for those adjustments!

We use the rainbow passage when fitting people with respitors to ensure that the mask will fit properly and give the right amount of protection factor for the job they will be doing.

Chris

Karen - Thanks for the speech thing! I have been a bit annoyed that I can't talk like I did, so I will be repeating that daily!

I have bruxism as well. I have been using a cheap night guard. When I got my braces on, I ask my ortho about it and to see if I could continue to use my cheap night guard, but he told me I wouldn't be grinding my teeth anymore. It turns out I grinded my molars down so far, that they had to put glue on my back molar, so when I bite down, I wouldn't bite into the lower bracket.. anyways! So.. now none of my teeth touch, except the very back ones... no grinding.. but hard for eating!!

Good luck!

I must say I hope braces fix that problem. I do know for a fact that most of my family does it. My brother, my son, my daughter that I know of for sure. My daughter is 5 and has seriously worn down her teeth. Good thing they are baby teeth.
Does anyone else have family memberd who have the same problem?