Phoenix461

Last night was not bad. While I am feeling pressure I also feel as though I have a very minor toothache in each tooth especially on the top row. I suppose this is normal considering I just had the first set of chains put on. When I flossed last night, I could feel that my teeth had already moved closer because it was a bit difficult to floss. This morning, I can feel the pressure and tried to bite down on something and felt the same a when I put the braces on 5 months ago. I guess today I will ...

I have been MIA only because I have had nothing to report (thankfully). The hooks on the upper back molars continue to rub the inside of my mouth so I am still using wax on those brackets.

I went for my adjustment earlier today and had a chain put on the upper row and two elastics. Time to get these babies really moving. So far, I have not had any pain but was warned it might happen later.

There might be some rubbing along the inside of my mouth where two new hooks ...

Today was my third wire change. Why did I have to ask when is the leveling going to be done? My ortho changed my wires to steel wires ... hopes this makes sense to those who know about the types of wires. The technician told me that it is highly likely that they will start moving the teeth around on my next visit on October 2. Oh joy!

So far so good as far as pain ... I guess I won't know until later.

So far so good since the last wire change. Luckily, I have no additional sensitivity and eating quite normally. The only sensitivity (slight) I notice is when I bite down on something semi-hard (not too crunch because I don't want to break off a bracket). Just another 3 weeks and I will have my third wire change.

Sunny - you will be very happy to know that I eating my green salads and not worried about them sticking in the brackets.

The clenching is still there but I am either getting used to it or it's not as bad. Also, I am down to wearing the wax on three brackets on two of the two molars in the back and one on the bottom right back molar.

I can definitely floss easier between certain teeth so this is movement going on albeit slowly which I guess is good. I can even floss the back molars much easier now that I have in the past.

This afternoon, I go for my semi-annual cleaning.

Okay so I have been doing well without the wax and am down to just one or two spots. I cannot believe I am actually saying that.

My latest thing is I realize that I am clenching my teeth when I sleep. Does this make sense?

I never did this before I had the braces; or maybe I didn't realize I was doing it but I don't recall doing it. I don't have any kind of pain or discomfort in my jaws when I wake up but I realize that I am doing it because I feel it.
...

Finally a whole night last night without the wax on and none so far today. Here's to hoping I don't develop any sores.

I also notice that the spaces between the teeth at the gum line seem to be more evident. I can get an interdental brush in those areas much easier than before. I guess things are moving around.

Whew!

My teeth are definitely being moved around. My bottom teeth look displaced ... the front teeth now look like three little steps so some movement is taking place.

How long does the "leveling" phase usually take?

OK so yesterday I was feeling brave .... and I went for 12 hours without wax. I was drinking a lot of water to stay hydrated (close to a gallon) but my mouth felt quite dry. I did have about 4 small spots where the brackets would rub. Last night, I put the wax on just to be safe because the spots were tender.

Is it my imagination but my mouth seems to be drier without the wax on the brackets ....

One of these days I'm going to OD on the wax. I have a couple brackets where I am trying not to use the wax and one of them is really rubbing ... ouch! I guess I just need to be patient but I don't like the sores. Ack! I know, I'm a scaredy cat.

Hydration is way up because so far today I have had 2.5 litres of water.

Also, last night I didn't put wax on one of the brackets on one of my bottom left molars and must have slept on my left side. Wouldn't you know it ...

My second wire change was this past Friday and luckily, the sensitivity when I bite down on my molars is nowhere as bad as it was.

I was able to resume relatively normal eating by Saturday.

Based on the recommendations on the board, I have upped my hydration to see if this will help alleviate any sores forming, in addition to using lots of wax to prevent the rubbing.

I am such an impatient person and having the braces is giving me a run for ...

Sorry I have been MIA folks. My last wire change was on May 29 and that went okay with minimal pain / dull ache that was felt in my molars when I would bite down. Luckily, that only lasted a week. Other than that, it seems that I have been using more wax than I used in the first 2 weeks and thought my mouth would be used to the braces. But, I chalk that up to the fact that the teeth are moving even if I cannot see it.

Earlier today I went in for a wire change and got a stronger ...

Well as of yesterday, I realize brackets that were previously not rubbing against my cheeks are now rubbing. I immediately put on the dental wax over those brackets so I don't get any sores.

I even had pizza today . I felt like I had died and gone to heaven.

The stainless steel bumper is going strong and all brackets seem to be in place.

Is it me or is my mouth getting used to the braces? I have been wearing less dental wax ... hmm. Maybe I'm just getting braver. I also feel some pressure on my bottom left molar which is a good thing because I guess it means it's moving.

The mental bumper is working just fine

I've been home with the flu just having broth and ice cream when I am awake. I am brushing and flossing as usual to make sure I keep these choppers clean and don't develop any cavities. ...

My ortho replaced the bumper. Instead of a rubber one, he made one from a tiny steel tubing and it feels just as comfortable as the rubber one. If I break this he will give me a reward. All kidding aside, I better not break this one.

The archwire never actually slipped out of the brackets but the actually rubber was splitting apart at the seam where it was joined (super saliva) .

I told the office I should just have a standing weekly appointment ...