6 month Smile treatment - clear ceramic braces

[FRANK30]

Hi, I'm new to the site and 6 weeks into having my lingual brace fitted on my top teeth ("6 month smile treatment"). I have already noticed a huge difference and at this rate, my dentist says it should be off in 2 months! Quicker than I thought.

I have the clear brackets with a white wire & clear elastics, I have noticed my teeth become stained if I eat anything dark, like marmite, dark sauces, tea etc. They change the elastics every month which isn't so bad, but I am self-conscious so I tend not to smile too much. Can anyone recommend a good cleaning method to minimise this (other than the obvious)?

The problem I have is the brackets at the back of my teeth "catch" on the inside of my mouth which can be incredibly painful. I tried the ortho-wax, rubbing it onto the bracket, but didn't find this to be effective. Can anyone recommend something to avoid this happening?

Thanks and good luck if anyone else is considering this treatment. I have found it to be very effective (and uncomfortable!)

[PS101]

That is great that you could be finished so soon!!

There isn't much else out there to help. There is a product called "magic mouthwash", available by prescription in the US that helps numb the mouth a little. You could ask your dentist about it. Maybe you just need a chance to let the inflammation go down to stop rubbing. Also, taking some ibuprofen may help.

I find the wax is okay, but I can only leave it in for a little while.

I am only on day 5 of 6 month smiles. Trying to hang in there!

[BellaBraces]

I'm on about week 7.

My dentist said you can put sugar free gum on the brackets, though I have not tried that yet as I don't find I need to.

I have no tips about the staining - curry is my downfall.

[PS101]

I am using this toothpaste by Colgate, it's called "Optic White". It says it has the same ingredients as whitening strips. I have been letting it sit on my teeth and braces for a few minutes in the morning and at night. Maybe that could help? Although you usually leave white strips on for 30 min. It will be an experiment.

[bnelson52]

I'm on day 6 with 6 month smiles. Did you have any problems with some of the "paint" chipping off of the wire? And there are two black spots on one of the braces and I thought he said that would come off with brushing (it's on there for installation purposes) and it hasn't come off yet. Did anyone have any of these problems? I don't want any noticeable spots on my braces.

[PS101]

I haven't had any chipping from the wire, at least I haven't noticed any yet. Do parts of your wire look different?

As for the dots, thy will keep fading every day. I am on day 10 and there are still two light green spots on my left side, where I clearly don't brush with as much pressure as my right side.

Hang in there and don't worry, you are probably brushing enough. Give it some more time. My doctor told me that they should come off easily and that if they are still there at my 1 month visit that he will know I wasn't brushing enough. By day 6, I thought he was messing with me. But then they started fading again.

[BellaBraces]

My dentist just ground off the spots at the first appointment.