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I've had my top only braces for 3 days and my lips are sooo dry. I've been drinking much more water ( I'm now craving salty things) and have used carmex, but they seem to be getting worse. Any ideas? Will this be a problem for the entire 3 years of braces? I'm afraid if I use chapstick kind of stuff too much, I'll make the dry lip problem a chronic one.
Thanks,
Tinsel Teeth
I reject your reality … and substitute my own.
This is going to sound kind of stupid, but maybe the Carmex isn't helping. I don't like Carmex - not for the offensive odor or bad medicine taste, but it doesn't seem to help once it's worn off. When it's on there it lubes them up, but once it's gone there's no benefit. Same with Blistex. Try a different brand. Just because it says medicated doesn't mean it's going to help more.
A lot of people like Burt's. Good ole Cherry Chapstik may be the way to go. Hydrating lipstick. I also like Avon's cheap chapstick.
And remember, your still not used to the braces and you are probably constantly "playing" with them with either your hands, lips, or tounge. This is going to make the chapped lips worse. (Not to mention the colder weather coming on...) It will get better.
If you are desprite, my mom swore by Vitamin E oil (or pop a capsule and use the innards), but it tastes nasty. Maybe before bed?
Barbiedoll!
I would personally recommend plain vaseline from any old drug store. It really helps! I've only tried Carmex once and it didn't help at all.
carmex actually dries my lips out more. I recommend Bigelow's Mint lip shine from Bath and Body Works. Vaseline works well too!
Damon 2's top and bottom, BRACED 02/22/04 and REMOVED 08/29/05. Now in bonded retainers (top and bottom) :4 wisdom teeth surgically removed on 12/22/05:
Urgh I canso relate to this, my lips have been dry for weeks now and I've tried everything, it's driving me crazy as I'm always tempted to pull the chapped bits of skin then it tears and bleeds, awful.
Karen you're right about exfoliating lips it does help, try the bodyshops lip exfoliating stick it gives a great tingling sensation.
Also I like Mac's tinted lip conditioner, tastes slightly like Vanilla and makes your lips go all soft.
This is probably going to sound stupid, but it's Monday.
I use a Bee Bar Lotion Bar. On my lips. I have used it on my hands forever, but I started using it on my lips after I got my braces. The same company has lip balms, too, but they don't work like the Bee Bar Lotion Bar. It's got Shea butter, Jojoba, Beeswax, Lanolin, Cocoa Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, and Vit E. It doesn't leave a shine on my lips, which would appeal to a guy (I'm guessing), but leaves a film that seems to last a lot longer than other stuff. My husband doesn't mind kissing me if I have this stuff on, but if I juice up with lip gloss, he's all, like "I don't want to get that crap on my lips". Funny, when we dated, he didn't mind! LOL
So that's my input.
Upper ceramics on 6/21/05 (on, off, on)
Lower metals on 7/23/05
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Suzy
3 teenagers, 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 goats, 3 chickens, 1 guinea, and 3 guinea pigs...
what more could a girl want???