Metal Mouth Message Board

Not sure if anyone feels this but every time I drink something cold
I feel my mouth getting tighter . I haven't notice it yet with something
hot... I forgot to ask if it is the stainless steel new wire on now..

I've heard of some wires being heat activated but never cold. I know if while taking a shower I power wash my brackets I can instantly feel the tension in my wire.

Yes, I've noticed this myself. I know the wires are heat activated and the sensation is one of feeling 'tighter' but I wonder if the sensation is because the wires actually loosen up for a brief moment while they are cold. Pressure is off the teeth momentarily and we are so used to the pressure that it feels 'funny' without it. Just my theory but again, I know what you are talking about!

I was starting to think maybe I might be going a little crazy with all the
changes with these braces... I could write a book of all the things that go along with them. I can't wait for the next thing to happen. Today my rubber band started to break while eating and that never happen before. But maybe that is good because bite is getting tighter. or someone put smaller bands in my bag..... LOL.......

footpounds wrote:Yes, I've noticed this myself. I know the wires are heat activated and the sensation is one of feeling 'tighter' but I wonder if the sensation is because the wires actually loosen up for a brief moment while they are cold. Pressure is off the teeth momentarily and we are so used to the pressure that it feels 'funny' without it. Just my theory but again, I know what you are talking about!

Perfect way to describe it!

I've noticed my wires feeling stiff when I drink cold stuff, and what's even odder is that it seems to happen every time I ride my bicycle in the cold. I tend to be a mouth breather, and if I don't have my mouth clamped shut I can feel the wires stiffening up. Odd feeling.

I have noticed this from time to time!

my ortho told me that the wire is heat activated.. hardens once in the warm mouth.. so drinking cold things loosens the tension on the wire.. he told me after adjustments if i was in pain to drink a cold drink to relieve pressure a bit.