Braces and throbbing earache

[Eliode2000]

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

He can have one at 2, at which point he will only have had three doses in the past 24 hours
you can alternate with ibuprofen if the pain is not controlled by the paracetamol
and make sure you are giving him enough - he’s having calpol because he can’t take tablets but he can have a larger dose than an 8 year old

Oh yes! That is very true, thank you thank you.

As others have said. Maybe A&E is your best bet then. I hope you can get it sorted out. My son has had braces for just over a year and I know how painful they can be.

I called his mum. She said if she's not back in an hour we should call 911. Does that sound sensible? He says that the pain is better than it was an hour ago - don't know why - but it hurts to open his mouth even a fraction. Could he last until Tuesday 6pm do you @Octopuscrazy think? That's when his mum says he could possibly get an early appointment, not with his normal orthodontist.

His normal dentist may be able to pull the wire out

that's true. Will they have space? In an hour, if he can't last util Tuesday evening we'll call 911 and see what they think

This happened to my son - just needed a bit of wire snipped he was in agony. 8 days is a ridiculous time to make him wait.

I's phone up and try and get an earlier appointment, which can be difficult. Failing that get an appointment at his actual dentist, not the orthodentist, and get them to have a look and ss if they can tidy it up for him.

I have had braces myself and tiny things poking out can be absolute agony, drives you to absolute distraction - and often all that is needed is a tiny adjustment. just get him to a dentist.

Do think he could wait until Tuesday or would that be too long?

He says the ear is calming down. He doesn't have a temperature but the wire is quite firmly in. I cannot think of any other reason for the earache though.

The wire needs snipping today. I really don't think it's related to the earache but he does need an orthodontic appt today. Orthodontic and maxfac nurse here.

thank you so much @20viona Should we just walk into the hospital then or do we need to book something?

He just needs to go to his normal orthodontics. Give them a call or just turn up. They won't turn you away it's literally a 2 second job.

Ok thanks, we'll go today

It's difficult to say for certain over the internet for obvious reasons.

My inclination would be to get him seen and assessed. Tuesday feels like a long way away.

It sounds like a miserable way to be, only being able to open the mouth a fraction with a possible infection.

I personally wouldn't wait till Tuesday. If you can't get a orthodontics appt, and don't want to go to ed, then a dentist or gp would be appropriate at least for an assessment and possibly antibiotics.

And do tell them about the earache as well - it is a vital piece of information.

There are lots of things it could be, some of them can potentially become serious if left.

I hope it's just irritation from the wire digging in but the mouth area can become infected quickly for obvious reasons.

Ok, thanks. As I said, the earache is better than it was yesterday but the wire looks lodged in. We'll call 911, go to the hospital or local dentists and have it checked out. I cannot feel the end of the wire so I think it has pierced the gum which is unfortunate! Also unfortunately, the area around it feels swollen. Thanks! I will not wait until Tuesday then.

How is your nephew? Do you have an update OP?
Hope he is feeling better

Hi! Sorry for late reply. Yes, @Octopuscrazy . We went to his dentists. They snipped the wire. No infection. He still has mild earache - apparently not to do with it though. Thanks for all your help!