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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Braces and throbbing earache

42 replies

Eliode2000 · 19/08/2022 09:27

Hi all,

My Nephew is 14. Last year, he was fitted with braces. About a month ago, they made an extension. He says and his father has noticed that there is a bit of wire on one side, scraping and digging into his jaw. As of yesterday, he has had a horrible ear ache. We can find no reason for it apart from maybe the wire. We cannot push the wire out the gum. His orthodontist appointment is next Saturday. He is in a lot of pain. It says only 4 doses of calpol a day (he cannot swallow tablets) but he needs way more to stop the pain. He can barely open his jaw and cannot sleep. Is there anything we can do or do we just have to sit and wait 8 days?

Thanks,
Eliode

OP posts:
Lolloped · 19/08/2022 09:29

Call the orthodontist to check his braces and GP to get his ear checked.

Lolloped · 19/08/2022 09:30

And do not take more calpol than the bottle says! It’s easy to overdose on paracetamol.

Littlemissprosecco · 19/08/2022 09:31

Get some soft wax/ blue tack, make a ball and wrap around the sharp end. Or If it’s quite a thin wire clip it off with nail clippers, but make sure you lift the cheek well away from the other end of the clippers or you’ll cut that too!

Original poster
Eliode2000 · 19/08/2022 09:31

Lolloped · 19/08/2022 09:29

Call the orthodontist to check his braces and GP to get his ear checked.

Ok, thank you! Will go to the GP to see if its not his braces and we'll get his braces un-poking! Thanks.

OP posts:
Littlemissprosecco · 19/08/2022 09:32

Obviously if the pain persists it may well be his ear.

boredasusual · 19/08/2022 09:33

Definitely wax (braces wax - cheap enough on Amazon) around the pokey but until you can see the ortho

Original poster
Eliode2000 · 19/08/2022 09:34

Littlemissprosecco · 19/08/2022 09:31

Get some soft wax/ blue tack, make a ball and wrap around the sharp end. Or If it’s quite a thin wire clip it off with nail clippers, but make sure you lift the cheek well away from the other end of the clippers or you’ll cut that too!

Thanks, that won't be possible though. We think the wire might actually be in his gum and we cannot get it out without him yelling!

OP posts:
Littlemissprosecco · 19/08/2022 09:35

You need to get him an appointment then

Original poster
Eliode2000 · 19/08/2022 09:35

boredasusual · 19/08/2022 09:33

Definitely wax (braces wax - cheap enough on Amazon) around the pokey but until you can see the ortho

Yeah, he has that but wouldn't work because we cannot find the end!

OP posts:
Original poster
Eliode2000 · 19/08/2022 09:35

Lolloped · 19/08/2022 09:30

And do not take more calpol than the bottle says! It’s easy to overdose on paracetamol.

ok!

OP posts:
Original poster
Eliode2000 · 19/08/2022 09:36

Littlemissprosecco · 19/08/2022 09:35

You need to get him an appointment then

So should we not wait the week and book one today/tomorrow? They might not be free.

OP posts:
Octopuscrazy · 19/08/2022 09:40

I'm a doctor going and say get him to A&E, somewhere that has a maxfax department.

My concern is the wire embedded into his gum/jaw is infected and tracking up to his ear.

With the ear so close to the brain, I would want this checked today.

14y/o are resilient and can be very sick before they show symptoms esp whilst being dosed with paracetamol which can mask any fever.

MILLYmo0se · 19/08/2022 09:41

Ring the ortho now and tell them he needs to be seen today, dont mention the earache but tell them he hasnt eaten or slept, and you cant find the end of the wire, it seems to be in his gum

Littlemissprosecco · 19/08/2022 09:41

how long has he had the braces in? Is this the first time this has happened?
it’s possible that the wire has slipped round and embedded itself deep into the gum at the back. You could try gently pulling the wire from the front it should slip though all the brackets and not pull them off, if you’re gentle. But you’d end up having to pull the whole wire out! Your orthodontist wouldn’t be impressed!

Original poster
Eliode2000 · 19/08/2022 09:42

He can have a dose at 10pm but thats over 12 hours away!

OP posts:
Littlemissprosecco · 19/08/2022 09:42

But it would definitely solve your immediate problem

Original poster
Eliode2000 · 19/08/2022 09:43

Octopuscrazy · 19/08/2022 09:40

I'm a doctor going and say get him to A&E, somewhere that has a maxfax department.

My concern is the wire embedded into his gum/jaw is infected and tracking up to his ear.

With the ear so close to the brain, I would want this checked today.

14y/o are resilient and can be very sick before they show symptoms esp whilst being dosed with paracetamol which can mask any fever.

ok! that sounds serious. Will try. Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Eliode2000 · 19/08/2022 09:43

MILLYmo0se · 19/08/2022 09:41

Ring the ortho now and tell them he needs to be seen today, dont mention the earache but tell them he hasnt eaten or slept, and you cant find the end of the wire, it seems to be in his gum

ok, thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Eliode2000 · 19/08/2022 09:44

Littlemissprosecco · 19/08/2022 09:41

how long has he had the braces in? Is this the first time this has happened?
it’s possible that the wire has slipped round and embedded itself deep into the gum at the back. You could try gently pulling the wire from the front it should slip though all the brackets and not pull them off, if you’re gentle. But you’d end up having to pull the whole wire out! Your orthodontist wouldn’t be impressed!

Braces in for a year, yes the first time happened. Mmm, that can be my last resort. Thanks anyway!

OP posts:
moreteensthansense · 19/08/2022 09:47

Eliode2000 · 19/08/2022 09:42

He can have a dose at 10pm but thats over 12 hours away!

Do you mean a dose of calpol? He should be able to take it every 4 hours

OverlySensitive · 19/08/2022 09:49

Do his orthodontist have an emergency number? If so I would call that and get him seen as soon as possible.

Original poster
Eliode2000 · 19/08/2022 09:49

moreteensthansense · 19/08/2022 09:47

Do you mean a dose of calpol? He should be able to take it every 4 hours

Show quote history

yes he is allowed doses every 4 hours but no more than 4 doses per 24 hrs. Yesterday at 2pm he had one dose, one dose at 6pm and another two at 10pm so technically he's not allowed one till tonight.

OP posts:
Original poster
Eliode2000 · 19/08/2022 09:50

OverlySensitive · 19/08/2022 09:49

Do his orthodontist have an emergency number? If so I would call that and get him seen as soon as possible.

I'll have a quick google

OP posts:
Original poster
Eliode2000 · 19/08/2022 09:52

Eliode2000 · 19/08/2022 09:50

I'll have a quick google

Show quote history

Doesn't say if it's emergency or not. It's a hospital. His mum just went shopping, she'll be back within the hour so I think I will wait for an hour inless the pain gets worse.

OP posts:
Ethelfromnumber73 · 19/08/2022 10:02

I'd be following the advice re A&E

Also, you can alternate ibuprofen with paracetamol for pain

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