OT - DS got braces Monday...Help!

[mom_of_3_70737]

Hello all! I know this is OT, but I need some advice from you fellow Moms/Disers! DS8 was unfortunate to need braces and had them put on Monday. He has done rather well, other that having a small problem eating certain foods. Here is where I need some advice. He is having pain and some little ulcer type irritated spots where the bracket is rubbing the inside of his mouth/cheek. Is there anything that I can do to help alleviate some of the pain for him, other that oragel/anbesol? Those things work but only for a little while and he can not reapply at school. I have given him Motrin, but I can't give him that all the time. The ortho gave us some wax and that works to an extent, but usually falls off. Help!!!

 

[EpcotSweetHrts0512]

Oh, I remember how "fun" braces were as well!! It sounds like you are doing everything right so far... the only thing I would add is to use warm salt water to help with the ulcers. The wax didn't really help me either... I did eventually get used to the brackets and the area where the ulcers were "toughened up" and didn't hurt after a while, and I'm sure your son will as well soon!

 

[lunalibre]

My DS just got braces a month ago. The first week was the worst. Yes, he had the ulcers and sore spots. The only thing that seemed to help him was wax. Yes, it fell off and we had to keep putting it on, but it did get better within 7 days of getting them on.

Tell your DS to hang in there!

 

[PlutoPony]

Our ortho gave DS a prescription for a topical dental paste (Triamcinolone Acetonide .1%) to use on the sores. He used it this summer after his Herbst was put in, and if he still needed it now I would have taken it into school and filled out the paperwork for him to use it as needed during school. The ortho told us that if the sores got real bad, take a very small piece of TP or kleenex, wad it up into a tiny ball, wet it and put this paste it it, then wedge it into mouth so it's resting on the sore.

I'd call the ortho and tell them your son's problem - I'd think you could get something like this pretty easily.

 

[mom_of_3_70737]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Scurvy]

I second the suggestion of warm salt water. The skin in that area will toughen up soon, but I know it's uncomfortable until it does!

Even if the wax doesn't help now, keep it! I had braces years ago, and a couple of times the wires came loose from the place they were attached at the back. The wax was great for anchoring where it belonged till I could get to the dentist. Also, the wire actually broke once and sprang out at an angle and we had to use wire cutter to clip it short so it wouldn't poke through my cheek. The wax worked well to keep that from hurting me till the dentist could fix it.