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AIBU?

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Original poster

Pain in mouth after braces

21 replies

shoes4life · 10/01/2023 18:33

Sorry not AIBU but didn't know where to post it.
Son has had top fixed braces for a few months all fine. Had the bottom set put on yesterday and is in real pain and can't eat. He can only manage smooth soup and scrambled eggs, trying to chew is excruciating. Is this normal? How long should it last? Any ideas for filling smooth liquids I can give him - he's so hungry 😞

OP posts:
Misty999 · 10/01/2023 18:36

Yes I was like this for about a week, lots of painkillers and soft food it improves

regularsize · 10/01/2023 18:37

Yep totally normal, worse at first fitting, then adjustments painful but not quite as bad. I used to give mine ice cream for dinner and nurofen that day. Should subside in about 24 to 48 hours.

Onnabugeisha · 10/01/2023 18:37

Yep normal. We actually bought baby food for those first few days.

SayMyNameProperly · 10/01/2023 18:38

Chicken and sweetcorn soup! Add rice and grains to soups to make them hearty and easy soy swallow.

Buy dental wax to go over the painful bits. And bonjela to numb sore areas. Could last 2-3 weeks but perhaps less.

Good luck!

dementedpixie · 10/01/2023 18:38

Could he eat soft things like noodles?

Singleandproud · 10/01/2023 18:44

You look silly but tell him to puff his checks out, ie push / hold air between teeth and cheeks if that makes sense so the cheek tissue doesn't touch the metal parts, it'll give him some relief.

Oblomov22 · 10/01/2023 18:47

Totally normal, painkillers, soup, custard, youghurt, soft foods.

SolitaryMind · 10/01/2023 18:49

Just finished 3 years of adult train tracks, they ripped my mouth apart for months.
Soft foods only, I lived on mashed potato and overcooked pasta. Iglu mouth gel is an absolute life saver, has to be that one, bonjela is useless.
The wax is annoying but does help, use whole strips over all the brackets in the early days. The wax from a babybel is also good for relief, if just sitting at home.

MaverickGooseGoose · 10/01/2023 19:01

God no to chicken and sweetcorn soup, perfect size to get caught.

Mash and gravy, soggy pasta, ice cream and baby food for a week.

Expect the same every time they are tightened.

20viona · 10/01/2023 19:04

Completely normal. I'm an orthodontic nurse and I found when I had my lowers fitted they were so painful! Just got to grin and bear it for a few days, painkillers soft foods and rest. It's worth it!

SolitaryMind · 10/01/2023 19:04

MaverickGooseGoose · 10/01/2023 19:01

God no to chicken and sweetcorn soup, perfect size to get caught.

Mash and gravy, soggy pasta, ice cream and baby food for a week.

Expect the same every time they are tightened.

Reminds me of when I ate a bowl of couscous the first week…. Oh what an error 😳

Original poster
shoes4life · 10/01/2023 19:05

Thsnks everyone that's reassuring. And thanks for the suggestions, will try mash and gravy 👍🏻

OP posts:
Imthegingerbreadwoman · 10/01/2023 19:05

Yep! Completely normal. I had upper and lower tracks for 4 years! Plus a head brace at night! Absolute agony. I used to take the head brace off in my sleep and throw it across the room! My biggest tip! Make sure when they do eventually come off that he uses the retainer and that it fits properly. My lower one never fit properly and 1 year later they where crooked again!

RosieBdy · 10/01/2023 19:11

Unfortunately, yes it's normal for the first couple of days but it will get better.
DS found ibuprofen worked best in terms of pain relief if yours is ok with that.
The pain lessens and he was fine after a couple of days, but it does come back each time they tighten/ adjust them, although never as bad as that initial pain and not for as long... but something to be aware of.
DS had some ibuprofen before each appointment and that seemed to help.
Not nice, but DS does now have a lovely smile and says it was worth it!
Now for DD to get hers...

CeriB82 · 10/01/2023 19:16

Oh its awful. Poor him. It will get better in a few days. Ibuprofen and paracetamol. It shows the good work is already starting.

bowlingalleyblues · 10/01/2023 19:20

i use Anbesol gel on my sensitive teeth it’s a numbing gel with lidocaine, it won’t help with aching but numbs gums/teeth instantly - available at boots

Springblossom2022 · 10/01/2023 19:32

I had braces as a teen (11 years ago!) and it took around 4-5 days for the pain to mostly wear off, but it did get slightly better each day. The pain was honestly excruciating and not something I'd ever want to go through again to be quite honest! So I fully sympathise.

I had quavers and instead of chewing them I let them dissolve in my mouth. Mashed potato and gravy. Thick milk shakes helped to make me feel full too when I wasn't wanting to eat.

Hope he feels better soon!

beckycharlie · 10/01/2023 19:53

When my son had his braces fitted a few months ago he liked those weetabix drinks.

CombatBarbie · 10/01/2023 21:52

Yup, my DDs had both sets put on 12 Dec, first couple weeks was a nightmare. Not too bad now but still some pain depending on the type of food. Bonjella seemed to help....

Original poster
shoes4life · 10/01/2023 22:33

Thsnks all. Just made him a big bowl of mash and gravy which he loved. Couldn't find weetabix drink but got him milkshake and custard pots for lunch

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 10/01/2023 23:06

Think the weetabix drinks are with the cereals and cereal bars in the supermarket

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