Okay Alexis had her braces tightened Thursday. They put on new wires and brackets and a lot of other things. Well she complained maybe 2 times over the weekend that the wires were poking her and I told her to use some wax. Well she didn't say anything all day yesterday until last night late and I told her to take an advil and use more wax.

Today she informs me at 5:30 that her mouth has hug bumps in it that are "leaking puss and blood" and her face looks swollen.

Here is my issue... Since she didn't say anything until after 5:30 the ortho is closed until tomorrow morning about 8:30. To me puss means that there is infection and I don't want that to spread. Is this urgent enough to take her to an urgent care place or should I just wait until in the morning?

Thanks for any advice.

By Karen~admin on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 - 07:07 pm:

Have you actually seen the pus and blood yourself?? It could be that it's not actually pus, but just very irritated, discolored/whitish soft tissue. Obviously blood could be from open sores though.

Is she running a temp? I think if I were you, I'd go with my gut. Do you have a mouth rinse for her to use that does not contain alcohol (that will burn like crazy. ) I think if it were me, and she had a temp and I could clearly see pus and blood, I would probably take her to an urgent care. But, you will still have to follow up with the ortho in the morning. Sounds like the wires need to be trimmed, as though they are rubbing against the sensitive skin of her inner mouth.

Poor baby! I can imagine how painful that is. Hope she is feeling better soon. If she's still complaining a lot, and has a temp and/or you can see the pus, I would take her in.

By Melanie on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 - 09:14 pm:

I remember one time when I had my braces that the wire wasn't trimmed enough. It hurt like crazy!! So I really feel for your daughter.

I completely agree with Karen. If she has a temp and you can see pus and blood, bring her in. Otherwise, keep it clean and pile on the wax to protect her from further poking. She will have an uncomfortable night. Give her some advil and hopefully that will allow her to get some sleep.

(((HUGS))) to your daughter. I remember just how awful that was.

By Kaye on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 - 09:35 pm:

I am going to ditto the others. Honestly if she isn't running a temp, I would suck it up till morning. Give her a high advil dose and get her to bed.

But look at her mouth and see what you think. We never had pus, we did get swelling and irritation though.

By Crystal915 on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 - 09:42 pm:

I would take her in to an urgent care... even if it's not oozing, you said her face looks swollen, and think about how little rest she is likely to get if she doesn't get some treatment. Not to mention the residual effects, painful eating, bigger sores, etc... those will just get worse. I had some miserable experiences with braces, but never anything like what you described, and even the small pokes and rubs from wires made life hellish.