What am I doing wrong?

[Nushka]

Hi

Finally got all the bits of my fixed braces in on Monday. Was a bit of a struggle to get the molar bands in but its done now phew!! Got pink module bands which aren't that noticeable. However, I went back yesterday because the wire was too long n cutting my cheek so Iv been putting the wax on the very back bit to let my cheek heal but it wont stick!!! What am I doing wrong? Teeth feel better today- much less wobbly,

[mikeg]

your doing nothing wrong.. it is quite common for that wire to poke your cheek if the ortho assistants do not cut it flush.. or your teeth move in the several weeks before appointments, causing the wire to move slightly too...

Getting the bands on can be tough, especially if the spacers didn't quite do thei rjob, but once they are in.. it is smooth sailing!

Strt your blog and keep track of your results.. this will help keep your ortho in line too.

Knowledge is power.. unfortunately I went into my braces blind and let me ortho do everything, but now I know for my kids!

Good luck

[Nushka]

Thank you thats good advice. Will get a blog going now im feeling human again! Thought I had a high pain threshold but actually im just a big wuss!!!

[Stephanie]

no worries Nuska! It gets much easier...

I look forward to reading your blog too.

Here is hte link:

Braces Forums - Blogs

[Sunny]

Nushka it's great you went back to your ortho to get your wire clipped ... that's really important if it ever pokes you.

About the wax ... sometimes it can be harder than other times to get it to stay put, but the most important thing we've found, is to use plenty. Often when you put some on, and it doesn't feel like it will stick, mould it a little more with your fingers and then put some more over the top. It's important when you have a sore spot for the wax to do the rubbing, as it will allow the area to heal, and if the skins not broken, then it helps toughen the area without breaking the skin. Another great piece of advice is to always use wax for 24 hours after you think you need to ... just to make absolutely certain the area is fine.

Good luck!

[Zoso]

Keeping wax on the end of a poking wire, and not having the wire just poke right through, can be difficult sometimes even if you use a good-sized blob. One tip I have seen is that you can instead try using a blob of sugar-free gum.

And yes, I have long been an advocate myself of keeping wax in place for a day or two after you think any sores have healed, since the new tissue from the healed sore tends to be more delicate. Obviously though this won't apply in the poking wire scenario, if you've been in to get that wire clipped off as you ought to Make the time to do it, and don't feel that you're being a nuisance to your orthodontist - they expect to need to accomodate such issues, it takes a matter of moments, and they should be more than happy to help, rather than have you going around in unnecessary pain.