Son got Damon Braces today...Q's

[ChelseaRox]

Hi all, my 14 year old son had his Damon braces put on today (top 6 are clear). He is feeling pretty miserable at the moment. He teeth are really hurting & a top wire is digging into his cheek....ive put wax over it & will ph the ortho Monday because it feels like its sticking out more than the others...maybe they can cut the end off closer to the bracket?? Because his top teeth were hitting the bottom brace when he closed his mouth the ortho has put a lump of 'filling like' material on both lower molars (building them up to a mountain shape) so that his teeth do not contact eachother. She said this is only untill some teeth move & hopefully they can be removed in a few weeks....the problem is he cannot chew anything as none of his upper & lower teeth touch eachother. Basically all he can do is put food..like noodles...in his mouth & swallow it! He is so upset ATM & wants them removed. I understand that the pain will go away but I dont know how he will cope without being able to chew at all for the next few weeks. Has anyone experianced this or have any advise for me? thanks.

[SoCal]

Hello ChelseaRox, I got my braces a few weeks ago with bite turbos and I went through the same things. I ate mostly soft foods (mashed potatoes, ice cream, smoothies, soups) to get as many calories as I could. After about a week I was able to start chewing food, but just enough to get it small enough to swallow. It also helps to mush food with your tongue against the roof of your mouth. I am now 3 weeks in and I can chew pretty much anything, so tell him to hang in there. Give him ibuprofen for the pain.

Keep any sharp points covered with wax. I tried to be "tough" and let my cheeks toughen without them, but that is just unnecessary pain.

Hope he feels better soon. Keep us posted!

[Sunny]

Your son will adjust, although the molar buildups probably will annoy him a little longer. It's important that he tries to chew. Best is probably small pieces of food and tell him to try chewing using the buildup. A variety of foods and textures is important plus making sure that he's eat a good variety of the food groups his body needs.

It's great when the buildup can be removed ... and although I'm sure it doesn't feel like this for him now, but remind him how quickly the past few weeks have passed and the next few will do the same. Very soon this will be a distant memory ... which is a relief!

Definitely give his ortho a call about the archwire and until then keep it covered with generous amounts of wax. Warm salt water rinses done 5+ times a day should help soothe his mouth.

Good luck to you both!

[ChelseaRox]

Thank you SoCal & Sunny for your advise. Well today all is looking good....he has no pain & we returned to the ortho & she trimmed the archwire end that was annoying him. He will need the buildups left on until an eyetooth moves a little forward, then they will be removed. He still cant chew anything but atm hes coping well. I think part of the 'hate' he had towards them was because of how he thought they looked but they really only become noticeable when he pulls down his bottom lips. He saw his soccer team mates yesterday & no one made comment so i think this has made him feel better. I myself am using Invisalign (currently waiting refinements), my son did not want Invisalign because of having to remove them to eat & drink, & i am glad that he has damon braces because I know that it would be too easy at school etc for him to leave the invisalign trays out. I myself am happy with Invisalign, its all gone so quick & I havent had any pain.

[Sunny]

Great to read that things are progressing well for your son ... and here's to that continuing for the rest of his treatment!

It's good that you're also having ortho treatment and all the best with your refinements.