My dd got "appliances" today and upper nance and lower something or the other, they did nto mention she should be in pain, I expeced some discomfort, but she was in tears trying to eat a bean burrito Any suggestions, should these hurt this bad, how long does it last?
Unfortunately the office closes early on Fridays, I have an emergency # but wanted to see if it was common first.
TIA

By Kate on Friday, June 3, 2005 - 11:16 pm:

Well, I'm not sure what a 'nance' is but when you get braces it DOES hurt!! It's constant pressure on all your teeth...OUCH! So yes, even a bean burrito would hurt. Eating NOTHING hurts as your teeth are slowly being moved. Once they DO move into place, they will stop hurting, but unfortunately it will begin anew each time she gets them tightened. It usually lasts for about two or three days I'd say. Give her some Tylenol or Advil, too.

By Crystal915 on Saturday, June 4, 2005 - 12:11 am:

I had lots of pain with my braces, I had my palate stretched (OMG HORRIBLE!) and 18 months of braces, including rubber bands and headgear. I used to wake up screaming with the headgear, I couldn't stand it, never wore it. I also used to have major pain (like 8 on a 1-10) from bands.

By Kym on Saturday, June 4, 2005 - 12:18 am:

The nance and this lower thing is two metal rings around her back molars with a wire connecting the two either at the top of her mouth or behind her bottom teeth, it's holding the space until all of her adult teeth come in, poor thing, I wished they would have prepared us for it, I hope once the teeth have shifted, it will not be so painful, this shouldn't move them a whole lot!
Thanks gals, I just have her some advil and dh took her to the store for "baby food" yogurt and oatmeal!

By Crystal915 on Saturday, June 4, 2005 - 03:09 am:

Kym, having those wire things put on is probably the cause of the pain, more so than movement, since these are just sort of retainers. Maybe some Orajel on the spots? Is she having localized pain, or headaches? If it doesn't go away fairly quickly you might want to call the dentist, just to be sure there isn't a pressure problem.

By Karen~moderator on Saturday, June 4, 2005 - 07:45 am:

Kym, 3 of my 4 had braces. It hurts every time you get new hardware/appliances, and every time you go in for adjustments and wire tightening. The pain should only last a few days. Our ortho just said to give tylenol or advil. I always made sure I had soft foods on hand at the time of ortho visits.

By Pamt on Saturday, June 4, 2005 - 10:49 am:

I lived on pasta and soup for 2-3 days everytime something new was done to my braces--tightening, rubberbands, etc. Sometimes the brackets on the molars are pushed into the gum too, so there is a different pain from the soft tissue trauma. Also check and make sure no wires are sticking out. Those can cut into the cheeks and back of the mouth--sometimes you have to go back to the ortho and get them trimmed and they also give you wax to put over the ends so you aren't rubbed raw. Yes!! Braces are very painful, but usually only for a couple of days after each adjustment.

By Babysitbarb on Sunday, June 5, 2005 - 12:04 pm:

My DD had expanders, braces and the nance aafter the braces and wisdom teeth were pulled a year ago. It was a miserable couple years for her. She lived on advil. She should eat soft stuff for a few days everytime she gets something new because it will be uncomfortable until she adjusts to the new appliance.
It will be all worth it in the end when she has that million dollar smile!

By Conni on Sunday, June 5, 2005 - 12:18 pm:

MY ds was in so much pain with braces that when the ortho said he may have to have them again when he is 16yo or so he said 'I WON'T be back!' (to our ortho! lol). He told me that he doesnt care what his teeth look like he will never have braces again.

He thought it would be so cool to have them, then reality set in.

By Babysitbarb on Sunday, June 5, 2005 - 10:37 pm:

Our dentist had told us also that we might have to put braces back on our DD because her teeth were still so crowded. We had her wisdom teeth pulled a year ago(should have been done before the braces)and than they put in a nance and decided to let nature take it's course.

By Karen~moderator on Monday, June 6, 2005 - 07:35 am:

Conni, that's funny, our ortho told Jeff when he got his off, that there was a possibility he would need them again in a few years. Jeff said NO WAY also. My thought was *why aren't you doing the job right the FIRST time?!?* LOL

By Lorebunde on Monday, June 6, 2005 - 08:53 am:

My son is not 14 1/2 and has had braces for a few years. Everytime he goes for adjustments his mouth also hurts. I give him tylenol and that helps somewhat until a day or two. He is getting sick of wearing them, and cant wait till they are off. Hopefully this fall they s/b off. I keep telling him it will be worth it!