TPA Question
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new2braces2
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Sun Jan 16, 2011 12:40 pm
TPA Question
I've received my TPA on Thursday, today is Sunday so I had it approx 4 days now. I've developed a dime size callus on my tongue (only on the one side) and I was wondering if anyone else had this happen to them? I have to put all my food into a blender or food processor. Every time I swallow, It HURTS!!! I've been taking Tylenol on a regular basis. I even have some cough medicine with codeine. Please tell me about your experiences with a TPA if you had one. I will go to the ortho tomorrow to see what he has to say. Thanks...
Re: TPA Question
I got a pendulum, not a TPA - but I can tell you this is par for the course, and it sucks.
Ortho said "Minor discomfort" and "it takes some getting used to". He did not explain I'd have to re-learn how to swallow, would not be able to eat for weeks, would have an indent on my tongue that did not stop hurting for 12ish weeks, and that I'd have panic attacks because I felt like I couldn't swallow. Okay, that last one I don't blame on him, but it's very sad they aren't realistic with what treatment consists of.
It's hard. It does get better, it does not ever feel normal (at least not for me!). You will adjust, and at least for me, sometimes you will cry with the ridiculousness of how hard it is to simply eat when other around you tell stories of their experiences with braces and how they ate just fine.
Try avocados, jack in the box breakfast bowls (watch those calories), mac and cheese, lots of soup that has no bits in that could get caught anywhere (cream of potato is a fave of mine I normally forgo the potatoes), mashed potatoes from KFC is good, milk shakes, protein shakes/ensure meal substitute shakes worked well for me. As I learned to eat better tater tots (NOT crispy, I cook them for half the time it suggests on the bag), biscuits (if I have the time and inclination to pick out soft bits for 10 minutes before brushing), and home made panang curry with well cooked peppers and ITTY bits of chicken in it with rice make up staples of my diet now.
Eat less often (I certainly do!!). Eating has never been more of a chore, and since I'm meticulous about cleaning, I normally opt not to eat over the pain and/or bother of the cleaning ritual. DO NOT put anything near your mouth that is hot. You simply can not move it away with the TPA/appliance to not burn yourself and self inflicted pain of burning along with the pain of the appliance is simply maddening.
Good luck - and if you need to talk to someone - I am here!!! Sorry it took me so long to respond! I'll try and keep an eye out for you! =) I find out this Wednesday, 16FEB11 if my pendulum comes out that day or if it stays in another 6 weeks! I walk around the house chanting "OUT OUT OUT OUT!"
Ortho said "Minor discomfort" and "it takes some getting used to". He did not explain I'd have to re-learn how to swallow, would not be able to eat for weeks, would have an indent on my tongue that did not stop hurting for 12ish weeks, and that I'd have panic attacks because I felt like I couldn't swallow. Okay, that last one I don't blame on him, but it's very sad they aren't realistic with what treatment consists of.
It's hard. It does get better, it does not ever feel normal (at least not for me!). You will adjust, and at least for me, sometimes you will cry with the ridiculousness of how hard it is to simply eat when other around you tell stories of their experiences with braces and how they ate just fine.
Try avocados, jack in the box breakfast bowls (watch those calories), mac and cheese, lots of soup that has no bits in that could get caught anywhere (cream of potato is a fave of mine I normally forgo the potatoes), mashed potatoes from KFC is good, milk shakes, protein shakes/ensure meal substitute shakes worked well for me. As I learned to eat better tater tots (NOT crispy, I cook them for half the time it suggests on the bag), biscuits (if I have the time and inclination to pick out soft bits for 10 minutes before brushing), and home made panang curry with well cooked peppers and ITTY bits of chicken in it with rice make up staples of my diet now.
Eat less often (I certainly do!!). Eating has never been more of a chore, and since I'm meticulous about cleaning, I normally opt not to eat over the pain and/or bother of the cleaning ritual. DO NOT put anything near your mouth that is hot. You simply can not move it away with the TPA/appliance to not burn yourself and self inflicted pain of burning along with the pain of the appliance is simply maddening.
Good luck - and if you need to talk to someone - I am here!!! Sorry it took me so long to respond! I'll try and keep an eye out for you! =) I find out this Wednesday, 16FEB11 if my pendulum comes out that day or if it stays in another 6 weeks! I walk around the house chanting "OUT OUT OUT OUT!"
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I love my teeth
- Posts: 410
- Joined: Wed May 20, 2009 5:16 pm
- Location: Michigan, USA!
Re: TPA Question
I had a TPA for 8 months-----it's no picnic. But after 2-3 weeks you get used to it. Everything Tovin said, I agree with. It's just a learning curve. I thought I'd be soooo happy the day he took it out, but it almost felt weird after 8 months to feel the roof of my mouth again!!
I noticed your post was a while ago (i've been on the orthognathic surgery forum, as I had surgery the day after your post.)--hope you are doing better now!
I noticed your post was a while ago (i've been on the orthognathic surgery forum, as I had surgery the day after your post.)--hope you are doing better now!
