OT: DD just had braces put on this morning and is in terrible pain

[seashoreCM]

He was able to eat a very soft grilled cheese sandwich by tearing off small pieces and smashing them against the roof of his mouth with his tongue. He said it still hurt to eat it but he was starving and needed solid food!!

Would it be less painful to bite off only a tiny piece at a time?

Or would the longer time to consume the entire sandwich prolong the misery so as to be worse than managing a bigger mouthful at a time?

 

[LoveKermit]

Oh the memories this thread is bringing back.....

The day I had the wires put on, I also received my headgear which was to be worn overnight. AND my parents were out of town. At least my grandma came to stay at our house (don't know why), but I was in my parents bed instead of my own. Everything was out of sorts. I barely slept. That also began my addiction to chapstick.

As I became more of a "pro" I would chew gum (no flames!) after a tightening. In my head, it felt like it took some off some of the pressure. But I wouldn't do that now when they are so new.

It will get better and she will get used to it. And the wisdom teeth is worse (and also probably in your future).

 

[Shagley]

The day I had the wires put on, I also received my headgear which was to be worn overnight. AND my parents were out of town. At least my grandma came to stay at our house (don't know why), but I was in my parents bed instead of my own. Everything was out of sorts. I barely slept. That also began my addiction to chapstick.

Hmmmm - I also wore headgear as a kid, and have a chapstick addiction. I never realized that the two things could be connected. I learn so much on the DIS.

OP - I'm glad your DD is feeling better!

 

[LoveKermit]

I couldn't suck on metal all night so I would coat the thing in chapstick. By the time I was done with it, I couldn't sleep without my lips coated too. And it's been in my pocket ever since 7th grade......I'm 34.

I guess I'm glad for it now, but what a horrible time.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

Would it be less painful to bite off only a tiny piece at a time?

Or would the longer time to consume the entire sandwich prolong the misery so as to be worse than managing a bigger mouthful at a time?

Gosh, I don't know. I supplied him with the sandwich and let him eat it however he wanted. I assume he ate it in the easiest and least painful way for him.

 

[minnierocks]

I am glad that she is feeling much better
One thing to keep in mind is that she will be miserable for a couple of days after every adjustment on those braces, especially in the beginning. The only thing that worked for both of mine was the liquid Advil gel caps and we took them before going to the appointment. The other thing that we always did was to feed them well before the appointment. DS would fill up since he knew that he wouldn't be eating well for the next two days! He still remembers the pre-appointment trips to KFC!

 

[sweetbambi]

Also she needs to remember that lip balm is very important so that when she talks, her mouth will glide over her braces. And, if you can afford some little treat (CD, ITunes card, new blouse) this will make her feel really special and ideally forget about her pain--and it's bad--for a while. When I first got mine (as an adult), my husband bought me two hardback books. Plus that as an adult, I could drink a little liquor!

 

[jakoky]

Braces are definately no fun...all my kids have had one, one still in them...my kids have extremely high pain tolerance and have complained very little but i do know that advil works great, probably far better than tylenol ever would...My youngest daughter doesnt eat much after each monthly visit as her teeth are quite sore, she has just learned what she can eat for those two days until she is more comfortable...I still feel sorry for my son, he got them off last year after 39 months in them....Good thing he is tough, he NEVER complained...lol, good thing!

 

[skhermsmeyer]

Don't know if this is too late or not, but I had braces as an adult (19) and the pain was HORRIBLE! After a week of not being able to chew, I finally called the DR and told her I was coming in.

She had put the braces on TOO tight and had to readjust them. If it's still going on, I'd take her back and ask the Dr. to look at her. JMO.

After that, I never had any real problems with the braces and tightening them never caused the amount of pain as that initial week.