DS is struggling with his dental brace, crying with pain, any advice out there?

[cadelaide]

He's 12, he had a retainer brace fitted 6 days ago (clear plastic and wires, top and bottom, removeable for cleaning but he's sposed to wear it all the time).

The orthodontist and friends have all said it will take a few days to get used to it and he's been so good; not complaining, keeping the brace in at all times, missing out on the Quality Street golden pennies. The thing is it's hurting more than ever now, and he has a horrible ulcer (I suppose where it's digging in). I bought some liquid stuff from Boots today to treat the ulcer and it stung, then when he put the brace back in he just wept. I've been giving him ibuprofen which helps a bit, but he's not really a complainer so I know it's bad.

Should it hurt that much, after 6 days?

I've just been up and told him to take it out and we'll try ringing the orthodontist in the morning but I'm pretty sure they're not back at work until next week so I'm a bit desperate.

Have you got wax?
Yes, call orthodontist- it really shouldn't hurt that much

I would get it checked. They do hurt for a few days, but by day 6 it should be getting much better.

Your poor ds. Dd has fitted braces, they hurt for a couple of days after they are tightened up, but she's never really been in the sort of pain you're describing. Definitely return to orthodontist. There's something called Brace-Eze which is like putty which you put on the bit that hurts, maybe ask about this?

Use the wax, the wires prob need cutting

We've tried the wax, the thing is the ulcer isn't in a bit which has any wires, iyswim.

It's kind of along the bottom edge, it's just a hard plastic bit I suppose. I've emailed the orthodontist and I'll try ringing in the morning but I feel bloody awful to be honest. I've been encouraging him to persevere and I'm not sure that was the right thing at all.

Do not hesitate to persevere if you think something is not right. When DS1 has his braces fitted, he cried for 4 days, and finally, we discovered the right edge was not rounded and was cutting his tongue, so he had it removed and repaired. An ulcer is not normal, so don't be afraid to call the orthodontist, after all he didn't mention mouth ulcer, did he? So you have the right to call and pretend explanation/reassurance. It's his job, you pay him for that, he'll be used to it. I would recommend to give your DS a break until the ulcer is cured. A week won't change anything, so don't worry if they are close until next week.

An ulcer is absolutely not acceptable. 'getting used to it' means it feels a bit strange in his mouth, not that it's causing physical damage. It's imperative you get it sorted asap. We've had to get wires cut and altered many times for dd1's braces because they've rubbed.

Ulcers not acceptable? Gosh, both my DCs have had loads of them! I just thought it was an occupational hazard of braces.
What could have been done about them?

IMO, the brace needs adjusting. DSs both have removable braces and the plastic parts should not be rubbing on any part of the gum. This causes swelling which causes an ulcer which causes more swelling and pain.

OK, we've rung the practice, and the snotty patronising receptionist says we're allowed to drop in to their emergency-only clinic for them to take a look, but really we should expect it to be very "uncomfortable" for a good couple of weeks.

(God, I hope she's not MNing at her desk, they'll torture my boy!! )

Nurofen melts. They are brill. I had a different fixed retainer type brace (invisaline) so it was different for me but god the pain. I can easily imagine it being painful for longer with the type of brace your DS has although i dont know anything much so cant really say if its normal or not.

I think the receptionist is talking rubbish, to be honest. "A good couple of weeks?" DS had his for nearly 2 years, and DD is coming up to 18 months and having hers off altogether and it's never been more than a day or two at most, after some adjustments. DD's had a few more issues with wires snapping (and therefore random bits digging in) and brackets coming off, therefore involving additional trips for remedial work, but DS sailed through. One was NHS and one private. Not sure if that's relevant.

It should not be digging into his gum though. If he has it in correctly and isn't messing about popping it in and out then it should not rub like that.

Both DSs have braces like that (i.e. not welded to their teeth)

Well we went, bypassed the grumpy receptionist (I reckon she drew the short straw and had to work today, she was on the front desk alone) and saw a lovely orthodontist who looked at his jaw and winced.

She shaved quite a bit off the bottom of the brace and the relief was instant, his face lit up in a beaming smile and he has returned to his former state of full brace-commitment.

Thank you all for convincing me that things weren't right.

Fabulous!

That is exactly what DSs orthodontists do. DSs are also allowed to file them with a nail file in an "emergency" to take the edge off.

Well done