Dom's Story

[Mazly007]

You are lucky you didn't bleed much. I had all 4-1st bicuspids pulled on 1/4/2012. I don't think I stopped bleeding till noon the next day. It wasn't pretty.

The whole tooth extraction process took just under 2 hours, and my face felt like a balloon. I'm sure I was a site between being swollen and having cheeks stuffed with gauze. Just a tip, I started rinsing my extraction holes out with a syringe after 3 days as some of the little food that I had eated was lodged in my holes and starting to get gross. If you have one, I would use it after a few days with some salt water.

I was able to have my braces placed on my uppers and lowers the next morning, less than 18 hours later. While I wanted it that way so I had less time with these open holes in my mouth, I think it ended up being a tad more painful. Not only were teeth starting to shift those first few days, but I also had open/new extraction sites in my mouth. Just remember, now you will have room in your mouth for all those nice teeth to more right in to place!

[Domino]

Thanks for sharing, Mazly007!

I'm a bit worried about food lodged in there that I can't see now! I'll have to try your syringe method. Did you push it fast so the water came out like a jet? Or is that asking for trouble? Hehe.

Regarding time, I'm a bit worried now about having the last 3 out next Monday... I don't fancy that pain on both sides of my mouth, and I'm not sure how I'm going to get away with eating for days afterwards...

It would be nice to get the braces on soon after, but I think the day after is a bit too fast for me, hehe I think a week would be alright, but I think my dentist mentioned possibly two for it to heal properly. We'll have to see!

[Mazly007]

Domino,

The first couple of days, I sprayed it softly because I didn't want to dislodge the blood clot. Worse than having bad breath and food particles is dry socket. After maybe 5 or 6 days, I just shoot it in now.

[Domino]

Thanks! Yeah, I heard about dry socket from my mum (surprisingly not my dentist, though...); doesn't sound nice! I haven't actually needed to do anything with a syringe so far, luckily. I think it's healing nicely! I've used salt water on it 3 times today after I ate. Pain has been pretty manageable today, too.

This should hopefully give me an idea of how long they'll take to heal, so I can book my braces appointment at the right time I don't think Monday is going to be very pleasant, though

[Domino]

Extractions Delayed
Hey everyone. Just a quick update. I was meant to be having the rest of my extractions today, but unfortunately my dentist's x-ray software wasn't working, so he couldn't do it I'm not sure why they need the x-ray on hand in order to perform an extraction; perhaps they use it, I don't know! Funny how I never think to ask these sort of things when I have a chance.

The earliest they can get me in for the rest of the extractions is 2 Feb, so quite a wait unfortunately. I guess it'll give my gum from my first extraction time to heal properly; it still hasn't stopped hurting

I'm also considering getting a Waterpik, as I hear them mentioned a lot on here. My dentist also said they are good, although he said I don't necessarily need one with my high level of cleaning (lol). Regardless, I think they sound quite cool and I might prefer it to wire flossing anyway. It should especially be helpful when I get my braces on.

I think I'll get the Ultra, as I don't have a shaver socket in my bathroom anyway, so I'll plug it in in the mains socket outside the door. Can anyone else here recommend a Waterpik? The Waterpik WP100 Ultra Water Flosser is going on Amazon at £55.88 at the moment. Is that worth it? Or perhaps is there another brand that's better?

Thanks!

[nessness]

Hey Dom!

Well that's a bummer, but good news is you only have to wait until next week. Not far, so it's all good

As for waterpiks I recently invested in one of these clever devices, I went for the spam. Bit cheaper and fits snuggly on the bathroom table.
For me its pretty worthwhile, it's great how your teeth feel afterwards and can adjust it to how you want it in case of sensitive areas etc. So a pretty good investment overall.

Hope things go well for you next week, and pretty soon you would have joined the ranks!

[Domino]

Thanks, nessness!

What does this mean?

... I went for the spam.

I think I'll definitely get one! Just need to get a waterproof/safe extension to reach around the door. (I don't care if it says to not use an extension!)

[itzztrick]

I'd recommend getting a plastic syringe rather than a WaterPik as a waterpik might be too much pressure. You can get a plastic syringe for free at CVS!

[nessness]

lol unsure why I can't type that word but seems on this website you can't write n...a...n...o? Lord knows how that can be interpreted as a bad word! Came up as spam instead...pretty stupid.
But yeah the small one..in case spam comes up again for something I didn't type.

[Domino]

I'd recommend getting a plastic syringe rather than a WaterPik as a waterpik might be too much pressure. You can get a plastic syringe for free at CVS!

I want a Waterpik as a flossing alternative, not just something to clean my braces with, so a plastic syringe is definitely not going to cut it

lol unsure why I can't type that word but seems on this website you can't write n...a...n...o? Lord knows how that can be interpreted as a bad word! Came up as spam instead...pretty stupid.
But yeah the small one..in case spam comes up again for something I didn't type.

Lol, how bizzare! I wondered if it was a filter or something odd. "spam" WHY NO NΑNO!? (Greek capital alpha ftw)

I still think I'm leaning towards the Ultra, as there isn't much difference in the price, and I hear nothing but bad reviews about the cordless one's battery.

But, as I asked before, if anyone can recommend a different brand over Waterpik, I'd definitely be interested in hearing. Otherwise, the Waterpik WP100 Ultra Water Flosser it is.

[Breel]

I just recently purchased the Ultra Waterpik from Amazon and I love it. The first time I used it - I was not sure I would like it.... I sprayed water all over myself, the counter and mirror Since then - I have figured out the finer techniques of using it and I think it works great. It does not take the place of flossing but is great for rinsing your mouth after meals and when you do not have time to floss.

Good luck with your next extractions. I had one extraction last week and it is feeling great now - no more soreness.

[Domino]

Thanks, Breel! That's a bit concerning you say it doesn't take the place of flossing... That was kind of my whole point to buying it. If it means I still need to use wire floss, I'd rather not bother getting it at all; it's not exactly cheap, after all.

And thanks regarding the extractions. It's getting closer... I'm getting a bit nervous as the idea of having 3 out at once is not pretty. I know this current one gave me a lot of grief and I hope the others don't... It's mostly stopped hurting now, but I can still feel a dull ache at times, and eating on it is still not a good idea. I'm going to be hopeless at eating once my entire mouth is out of commission!

[braceface74]

I have been using the waterpik to wash my teeth as opposed to flossing.. my teeth are so tight together that flossing has never really been easily possible so i thought this would be a good thing for me! Although it's not an actual waterpik i have.. i looked at the reviews on amazon and ended up with a SPAMTRONIC SPAMSONIC SPAMONAIDE SPAMSTER SPAM SPAMINATOR one i think it is. I have no problems using it.. just need to be quick as the tank isn't v.big for it so you get about 40seconds to one tank.. although you can always refill.

I am hoping that as my teeth move flossing will be easier.. i got the oral b super floss which i am able to thread through the braces but i've only done this the once.. i don't expect too many problems to be caused with the lack of flossing so far as i haven't actually been able to eat mcuh and certainly not chew lol.

I've just got the hang of chewing after having my uppers fitted two wks ago and now i'm about to get thebottoms done :s.

[Breel]

My teeth are also very tight together and I have a great deal of difficulty getting the floss between my teeth - so when I do floss it is very time consuming. I use the oral b glide floss which helps a little bit.

When I ask my dentist about a water pik - he told me that the waterpik information will tell me that it is as effective or more effective than flossing. He explained that the studies do show that the waterpik is effective if the exact critieria are met - such as exact water pressure, perfect angle, perfect timing etc..... and rarely are all the critieria met when people use the waterpik. So - basically (he said) the waterpik is better than nothing - if I were to never floss........ flossing most of the time and using the waterpik in-between is acceptable......... and flossing daily is ideal.

I have been trying to floss daily and get in the habit of doing so... but honestly, I know I will skip once in awhile and use my pik.... Like Braceface - I hope flossing will get easier and quicker as my teeth move and I have more space.

Now that I am finally beginning to eat some regular food like bread - I am shocked at how much food I have left on my teeth and under my brackets when I am finished eating - even after swishing water around in my mouth. It is actually quite disgusting and I will have to remember to never smile after eating in public So - I have found my waterpik to be quite helpful to rinse that food from my mouth after meals - I like it well enough - I am thinking of getting a small portable one to carry with me.

I agree - they are expensive. You may want to wait until you have all of your braces on and are eating more to see if you think it would be helpful.

[railroad]

If you are a Costco member, they are offering $15 off for the combo pack Waterpik starting February 2. I can't wait to get mine because this flossing is driving me nuts.