Braces – Week One
I thought I’d take some time to fill in on how things are going with the braces. As I mentioned previously (I think) the removal of the four teeth took a lot more of a toll on me then I had expected. The pain lasted for several days, then there was pain in the surrounding teeth, and even now I have a sensitive spot on the roof of my mouth just behind where one tooth was extracted.
As recommended by so many, I spent the first three or four days after the wires were put on taking lots and lots of ibuprofen. It helped, I think. I’ll be curious to see how it feels next time because this experience of tightening the wires was clouded by the pain of the teeth next to the extracted teeth so it wasn’t a true measure of the discomfort to come.
I was using wax on several of the brackets multiple times a day up until about two days ago. It started becoming less and less necessary and the first two rounds of canker sores have healed. I never liked having my mouth numb but I confess a new found appreciation for the Orabase on those pesky canker sores. My mouth is currently canker sore free but I have no idea how long that will last.
It started getting easier to eat a few days ago as well. So it seems that right about the one week mark things got better. I still find myself wanting to eat softer food and find that some of my favorite foods are no longer enjoyable at all. Bacon and chips and queso are the two most obvious right now. Eating is a nuisance because stuff gets stuck and it’s annoying to chew and enjoy like previously. I would be curious to find out if I’ve lost any weight because it seems like there is no way that I’m eating like I used to. They want you to brush your teeth after every meal with braces and I can’t imagine not! With all the food getting stuck here, there and every where I WANT to brush my teeth constantly. The process to floss is unbelievably time consuming and difficult now, but again, I can’t not do it because my teeth feel dirty all the time.
Braces cause horrible dry mouth. This is actually good for me because I never drink enough water and this is forcing me to be better about staying hydrated. I’ve also joined the ranks of the chap stick girls. I carry it in my pocket at all times for application as needed due to dry mouth which causes excess lip licking which leads to, you got it, dry lips.
I definitely feel more “used” to them today then I did five days ago. Oh! And I found a good side effect, I can’t put my fingernails in my mouth like before so I have really nice nails now! I could actually go get a manicure.
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Comments
Oh my gosh, your post is so helpful to me, just knowing that what I am feeling is normal. I also had 4 extractions, but luckily I was able to go back to work with a mouth full of guaze. The braces were more painful at first than I ever imagined, after 1 week I can finally shut my mouth completely even though I feel like I am chewing down on spoons in my mouth. I did not realize that I would have brackets on the underside of my top teeth. Every time I talk my tongue hits the sharp brackets and that really hurts. I too thought I would lose weight, but no not me.I am going on 3 weeks with braces. I am constantly complaining about my lips being chapped and chap stick with me every where I go and I am even taking a glass of water to bed with me. My mouth is so dry and so I thought I would get on the computer this morning and type in braces and dry mouth. Here is where I found your post and now I am relieved to know I am not alone and that I guess that this is somewhat normal. Thanks for your post!
Wow, I just stumbled on your blog and I agree with every single thing you said! I feel like this post came right out if my head. I had 4 extractions and my wire put on the same day, and that first week was killer. I’m at 7 weeks now. I know the pain of no longer enjoying food. I was excited to think I might lose weight but sadly the scale hasn’t budged a bit. Well I just wanted to say thanks for this post, it’s helpful to have someone feeling the same as me!
How are your braces doing now?