Damon Braces - Day 4

[mskenn]

Hi!

So I got my Damon braces put on Wednesday and I have to be honest - having braces is NOT what it's all cracked up to be! I mean, I knew there would be pain but NEVER did I imagine it would affect my eating habits! I'm eating soup, mashed potatoes, grits, yogurts, and ice cream. Please know I'm not ungrateful because there are people who are unable to eat at all; HOWEVER, I'd rather be chomping down on a grilled T-bone (from Outback), fried catfish (from my mother's house in New Orleans), beer-battered butterly shrimp (Cheddar's), chicken nuggets (Wendy's), a nice bacon cheesburger with all the trimmings (from anywhere), and some frickin' french fries (McDonald's)!!!

So here's my dilemma: (1) the sores on the side of my mouth where the brackets are - when do they go away? I've been using the silcone wax (thank you gawd), Orajel for mouth sores as well as Orajel Mouth Wash for sores? (2) the molar buildups - why, oh why, are they there? I mean, I have yet to chomp down on my braces - they are SOOOO preventing me from eating! (3) my lower bottom tooth feels sore when I bite down - is this normal?

I look forward to hearing from anyone. Your help and experience is GREATLY appreciated and needed. Thanks a bunch!!!

[catgyrl]

Welcome, and Congratulations!!

You will most certainly be able to eat "normal" foods that you listed eventually. The soft food diet you're on now is basically for while you're getting used to the teeth shifting and your bite being "off". I was eating toast a few days after getting braced, and just slowly started adding in foods to see if my teeth could tolerate them. Had McDonald's fries and burger the week after. I'm 3 weeks in, and I still eat things very slowly, but aside from tough meats, I'm pretty much eating anything I want. Just slowly incorporate things and see how you do. If they're still too difficult, don't push it. It will happen eventually.

You're doing the right thing by using the wax and Orajel on your sores. From my experience, they don't last very long (mine were usually gone overnight); however, they may "move around" as your teeth shift, and the wires move.

The molar buildups are there precisely so you don't bite down on your braces. I don't have them myself, but I've heard that although they're a pain in the butt, you do eventually get used to them.

Your lower teeth soreness is very normal, also. Those are the only ones I have that I feel discomfort with when I touch them. They're most likely loosening up, so are more sensitive. Many people have trouble biting with their front teeth for quite a while. Try chewing a bit further back.

Just know that everything you're experiencing... has been experienced by nearly everyone else who gets braces. You WILL get used to them, I promise. As long as you keep a positive attitude and know you're bettering yourself, your journey should be a pleasant one.

-Cathy

[Sunny]

I think Cathy has covered everything so well ... there's no need to repeat!

Make sure you wear wax for at least 24 hours after you think the sores are healed, to allow a little time for your mouth to toughen before the brackets can rub them. Also rinising with warm salt water helps soothe and heal your mouth and while you have sores, it's recommended you do this 5+ times a day.

Most important to help your mouth cope with having brackets on your teeth, is to keep well hydrated!

Good luck!