Twin block functional brace-saliva, not wanting to wear, soreness.....etc etc

[georgeclooneyfan]

My dd almost 15 was fitted with this brace on Wed this week.Every since then she has been complaining about it being sore, impossible to eat, talk do anything.She hates it as you can imagine at her age everything seems to be about looks.She skipped of school on Thursday afternoon as she doesn't want people to see her with it.Over the weekend she looks like she is coming down with tonsillitis, which she gets alot.This unfortunately is making having the brace more difficult, she said it is making her gag and we were told there may be more saliva but it is so bad she has to sit with a cup to spit into( sorry sounds disgusting I know). I do feel for her but I can see the slightest thing that goes wrong, she is going to blame on the brace.I feel like telling her to take the blinking thing out, the stress it causes in the morning before school her crying and getting worked up, trying to keep calm and tell her in the long run it will be worth it.She has an alignment issue with her jaw hence the reason it has taken so long for the braces to happen, we waited a while for a dental hosp appointment etc.She was told 9 to 12 months for brace twin block thing then if it hasn't worked another possible hospital appointment, but if everything ok then braces for up to 2 years.This all seems like its going to take forever, she wants them off asap but keep telling her it will take time.Any advice would be great.Sorry for the long rant! Thanks in advance.

My daughter got her twin block brace at the end of April. The first week was the worst, as you say saliva, hard to speak, soreness, aching. I got her some orthodontic toothpaste and wax from Boots and this seemed to be the turning point with the soreness in her mouth. The wax isn't brilliant, but does help take the edge of the worst parts and the toothpaste is meant to help with irritation. My daughter made sure she had plenty of tissues the first week to help with the saliva, but that has all stopped now. Speechwise, she's even coping with have to speak verbally in class and end of year tests in Spanish and French.

I'm sure it's not a nice thing to wear, but within a month you can start to see a difference. For the first times in years she can close her lips over her teeth. She can take the brace out for eating and you can see the difference, so do encourage your daughter to stick at it.

Thanks for the reply Madmog, glad to hear that it does improve with a bit of time.The tip about the orthodontic toothpaste and wax sounds good I will get some tomorrow, I am willing to give anything a try.I have had her at doctors this morning and she has tonsillitis as I thought.It is typical it coincides with getting this brace, feel sorry for her but am trying to encourage her to keep it in.Thanks for your help.

Yep, definitely worse for the first week or so. DD is 18 months down the line and is having hers removed on her 17th birthday at the end of the month!
She has sensory issues (food, texture, etc) and patience isn't one of her strong points, so was a little worried with how she'd cope.
However, it's been quite a doddle really; apart from initial soreness (used the wax) and a feeling of tightness, she's been fine. She's looked after her teeth brilliantly; really didn't think it'd be this easy!
Hang in there, it will get better!