Man my teeth hurt!

[Lashay]

I know there are several topics on this issue already but I need my own vent thread. I've had Clarity braces on the top only for a little over 24 hours and I'm so tired of having to take painkillers...as I've been taking them since I got the spacers put on...I know excessive use of painkillers can cause stomach or liver issues. So here's my story...getting orthodontia treatment was one of my main goals for this year and I've accomplished it. I'm thinking positive... this WILL be a successful treatment! According to the orthodontist (he's a new guy-I've had several consults with others in the past), I have an anterior crossbite and it will take about 12 months to complete my treatment. I couldn't believe it and his price was reasonable so I couldn't pass it up. I've WANTED this since I was a kid. His assistant also said my teeth will move fast (I didn't have the worst issue)...so I guess I will see. He shaped a few of my teeth before the brackets/wire were applied..and I must admit that it was a good idea to do so (some of my teeth are pointy). Anyway, his assistant actually did most of the work and he checked...wondering if I should be concerned about it but too late now...couldn't say much since my mouth was propped open with that plastic thing.

Anyway, my two front teeth are really sore. Because of my bite and now with the addition of braces I have to hold my mouth a certain way/don't bite all the way down like I used to...I was told I could eat soft foods (mashed potatoes, macaroni/cheese, soups). I'm so tired of eating soup. I'm going to try to find a protein powder and add fruit and almond milk with it to drink as a possible meal replacement. Even when chewing *soft* foods, it feels like my two front teeth are going to break/crack because they hit the bottom row of teeth. I'm VERY CAREFUL. I don't have braces on the bottom row yet...the orthodontist will put them on later...I hope very soon...my first appointment is not until 2 months.

Will this get any better? AT ALL? I was told that eventually I can eat most of the foods I like (I know which foods to stay away from) but I will have to cut them into bite-sized pieces. I just feel like I might not be able to chew/eat normally as long as I have the braces in my mouth. Also, my braces are ceramic....not self-ligating to my dismay and I totally forgot I can't drink dark cola...which I did yesterday...I brushed several times and flossed yesterday but apparently forgot to brush/rinse right after drinking the cola...it doesn't look THAT bad but I can notice...UGH.

[nifer237]

It gets much better, you will see in a few days. That's why they tell you to eat soft foods for a while...I didn't need to take any kind of medication when I got my bottom metals on, but I recently had top ceramics and rubber bands and OW. Holy pain.

Were you prescribed painkillers for the installment of your braces?

[AmICrazy?]

I felt the same way for the first week or two....teeth hurt like heck, on Advil around the clock, and not able to eat hardly anything. I am now 8 weeks into my treatment and it is MUCH MUCH better now! Certain teeth have sensitive days and it hurt a little after my first adjustment but it's not that bad at all. I haven't needed to cram the pain meds anymore either, only occasionally I will take Advil. And I can pretty much get away with eating anything now if I cut it up small enough and take my time eating it. I have ceramic uppers and metal on the bottom with a non-removable bite plate on the roof of my mouth :/ Oh, and I still drink coffee, tea, and coke too but try to always use a straw and I haven't really had any problems with staining on the ligatures. I know I probably shouldn't drink those but oh well My ortho uses the "pearl" white ligatures instead of "clear" though because they don't stain nearly as bad and they look fine in my opinion so maybe you can ask for those next time (if your ortho has them). Good luck!!

[WebDevGirl]

Its not that uncommon for the assistant to do a lot of the hands-on work. The ortho usually sets the program (what is to be done) and the schedule, but i've always had the bulk of the work done by the assistant. My ortho always checks the work and sees my progress and then writes down what is to be done the next time we meet on a card.

I have a palate expander in and i needed the wires closest to my wisdom teeth clipped and he did that himself.

As for teeth hurting, mine did as well. In fact they didn't start feeling better until i started to 'exercise' them. I had read about how bite waffers helped some people get over the soreness in their teeth. I did the poor mans solution and just used my tongue to put pressure on my teeth and chewed on straws. They started to feel much much better after they got used to pressure.

This is anecdotal at best but from what i've read on the board it seems the people who have the longest lasting soreness in their teeth are the ones that never ever try to use them. After that first sore bite they give up and go back to liquid foods.

I didn't have the problem top front teeth hitting the bottom teeth because i had no bite at all!! lol my top teeth would hit my lower brackets so they put this blue stuff in my mouth causing nothing but the blue stuff to hit my top teeth. By the time it ground down my teeth had moved enough they didn't knock together. When you get your bottom braces in make sure to point out if your top teeth do clash with the bottom brackets.

[Lashay]

Were you prescribed painkillers for the installment of your braces?

No...the orthodontist knows that I can stomach Lortabs which is what most doctors/dentists prescribe around here. I was taking Advil with the spacers and I am taking Aleve now that the braces are on...might upgrade that to Excedrin.

[Lashay]

My ortho uses the "pearl" white ligatures instead of "clear" though because they don't stain nearly as bad and they look fine in my opinion so maybe you can ask for those next time (if your ortho has them). Good luck!!

Yes, I will definitely ask in two months. I've read that the grey ones doesn't stain much either. For now I have to deal with the slight stains from yesterday's Mr. Pibb. Ugh. Thanks for wishing me luck.

[Lashay]

Its not that uncommon for the assistant to do a lot of the hands-on work.

Okay, I feel a little better.

I have a palate expander.

That sounds painful.

I did the poor mans solution and just used my tongue to put pressure on my teeth.

I'm going to try this..

When you get your bottom braces in make sure to point out if your top teeth do clash with the bottom brackets.

Definitely! I might go ahead and give them a call on Monday....the orthodontist doesn't come in until Wednesday though but his assistant are there Monday through Thursday. I want to call to address my concerns.

[Lashay]

Another thing that kind of irks me is that my lip gloss sticks to the braces...it rinses well enough off though. How do you ladies deal with that?

[ashesgap]

Lip Stains are a lot easier on the braces, doesn't get rubbed off. If you get a good one it should last a while.
When you're taking any of those meds, if you're worried about your stomach eat a little yogurt with them. I keep a tub in the fridge so I can have a couple spoons of it, especially if it's late and I want a pill before bed.
The pain gets better, and pretty soon you won't even notice the braces. Hard to believe now, but true. Good luck!

[Lashay]

Thanks for wishing me luck! I can chew a little better now...though still not the way I'm used to chewing...hate the two front teeth hit the bottom teeth like that. I saw a cashier today and her ceramic braces were SO WHITE. Hers look to be self-ligating though. I think I'm going to have to get a note from the dentist stating that it is a MUST to brush my teeth after I eat something....seems to be a problem with my job (taking up extra bathroom time because yes they monitor when we go to the bathrooom! Don't ask).

Anyway, is anyone able to floss between the teeth that have metal bands on them? I've tried unsuccessfully....it's always been hard to floss the teeth that are further back in my mouth anyway but with bands around them...MUCH MORE DIFFICULT. I'm a little worried because one teeth has a crown...and I've always had to keep that tooth in check (food used to get stuck in that one a lot).

[MalteseFalcon]

I know how you feel about the chewing. I honestly didn't think it would be this bad. I'mnot complaining, but I can see now why they tell you to avoid hard foods.

[Lashay]

I went back to the orthodontist's office today and they showed me how to floss the teeth under the band. They also applied some hard glue ish on the teeth to help with how I bite. The back molar with the crown/glue hurts again. REALLY BAD. I've used Orajel and taken two Aleve. This is the tooth I had a root canal on years ago and now I'm afraid that something is going wrong. Got to wait until Monday though to call and address my concerns.