Summary: My gums keep getting swollen
For some reason my lower left gum (right behind my last molar) keeps getting swollen every now and then. It sucks because I try to keep it clean but every time I poke it or use a floss it ends up getting swollen. It might be because with the rubber bands, the molar is being pushed too closely to the gum and the bracket and wire is poking the gum.
I am going to leave it alone for a few days. That usually helps but it does nothing good for my breath!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Week 82 with the Damon Braces
Summary: It's been a while since I've experienced any tooth pain but it is back!
I must say that I was pretty disappointed after my appointment with the orthodontist yesterday. As the day went by, it all changed. By lunch time, my teeth were sore. Who would have thought that a slight change in a rubber band would make such a difference?
By night time, of my upper left teeth were sore. I can tell my back molar has moved too as my bite is off and I can't really bite down completely anymore. It is the first time I have experienced so many teeth sore all at the same time in a while - 6 teeth in total. The weirdest part is that if I bite on the opposite side, I can feel some pain on the other side. I guess it is so tight right now that any minor pull or pull can be felt.
This morning I woke up without much improvement so I am guessing this will last until tomorrow. My only fear now is that my front teeth will try to shift towards the left which would be counter productive.
I must say that I was pretty disappointed after my appointment with the orthodontist yesterday. As the day went by, it all changed. By lunch time, my teeth were sore. Who would have thought that a slight change in a rubber band would make such a difference?
By night time, of my upper left teeth were sore. I can tell my back molar has moved too as my bite is off and I can't really bite down completely anymore. It is the first time I have experienced so many teeth sore all at the same time in a while - 6 teeth in total. The weirdest part is that if I bite on the opposite side, I can feel some pain on the other side. I guess it is so tight right now that any minor pull or pull can be felt.
This morning I woke up without much improvement so I am guessing this will last until tomorrow. My only fear now is that my front teeth will try to shift towards the left which would be counter productive.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Week 82 Ortho Visit
Summary: Upper left fixed elastic was pulled back to the last molar
I spent at total of 15 minutes at the ortho office. That includes 2 minutes wait time prior to the appointment and 3 minutes waiting for the receptionist to make my new appointment.
Nothing really happened. I got in and got my fixed rubber bands replaced by the assistant. These are the ones that go from the hooks to the molars. The orthodontist took a look and said the gap was closing really well but asked me to keep putting on my cross rubber bands. He then told the assistant to change the upper fixed rubber band to go to the last molar to close the gap that was being created. And now, it hurts! It might be a day for soup again.
I also chatted a little bit with him afterward and asked when does he think I'd have my braces off. He said it was probably going to be towards the end of summer. He said the gaps will be closed by the next 1 or 2 appointment (6-12 weeks) but after that we'd have to work on aligning the upper teeth with the lower ones since they need to be pushed out.
sigh... I guess I still have 6 more months left :(
I spent at total of 15 minutes at the ortho office. That includes 2 minutes wait time prior to the appointment and 3 minutes waiting for the receptionist to make my new appointment.
Nothing really happened. I got in and got my fixed rubber bands replaced by the assistant. These are the ones that go from the hooks to the molars. The orthodontist took a look and said the gap was closing really well but asked me to keep putting on my cross rubber bands. He then told the assistant to change the upper fixed rubber band to go to the last molar to close the gap that was being created. And now, it hurts! It might be a day for soup again.
I also chatted a little bit with him afterward and asked when does he think I'd have my braces off. He said it was probably going to be towards the end of summer. He said the gaps will be closed by the next 1 or 2 appointment (6-12 weeks) but after that we'd have to work on aligning the upper teeth with the lower ones since they need to be pushed out.
sigh... I guess I still have 6 more months left :(
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Week 82 with the Damon Braces
Summary: Slowly but surely
It has been three weeks since I last wrote and a few things have happened. I have been pretty busy so I haven't had a chance to write any updates but here they are:
1) Mouthwash: I got myself a mouthwash, recommended by my heigenist, ACT. I must say that after I used it I was pleasantly surprised it did not numb my tongue like Listerine. This means that I would not have the urge to rinse my tongue right after using my mouthwash. So far, I think it is ok. I actually don't have that many problem so I can't tell the difference but I'll know on my next visit to the dentist and they say my cavities are gone!
2) Rubberbands: Just a few days ago I did something I probably shouldn't have. So, I was feeling a bit upset as I felt that there wasn't much progress on my teeth since my last ortho visit. I felt like the gap between my teeth (on my upper left side - see pictures) wasn't closing up. I then decided to play Dr. on myself. I added an extra rubberband on the top - hooking my molar to the upper metalic hook and slept on that for 8 hours. The next morning I didn't really feel much of anything. No pain, no discomfort. I then figured I need more pulling power so after brushing my teeth I replaced that rubber band with a new one and added an extra one that goes across from the molar to the lower hook. In the end I had 2 extra rubberbands and that did some magic. I left that on for about 8 hours, replacing it during lunch time. I think it really did something but I took it off because I was under if it would mess up my other teeth.
3) Time! I think it is almost time to get my braces off but I am not keeping my hopes up until I see that gap closed. They originally gave me an estimate of 22-24 months which translates to 95-104 weeks. Which means I have 7-22 weeks left. I doubt they will be off in 7 weeks but let's hope they are off in less than 22 weeks but I do want them off before June!!!!
My next ortho appointment is tomorrow!
Progress Pictures:
It has been three weeks since I last wrote and a few things have happened. I have been pretty busy so I haven't had a chance to write any updates but here they are:
1) Mouthwash: I got myself a mouthwash, recommended by my heigenist, ACT. I must say that after I used it I was pleasantly surprised it did not numb my tongue like Listerine. This means that I would not have the urge to rinse my tongue right after using my mouthwash. So far, I think it is ok. I actually don't have that many problem so I can't tell the difference but I'll know on my next visit to the dentist and they say my cavities are gone!
2) Rubberbands: Just a few days ago I did something I probably shouldn't have. So, I was feeling a bit upset as I felt that there wasn't much progress on my teeth since my last ortho visit. I felt like the gap between my teeth (on my upper left side - see pictures) wasn't closing up. I then decided to play Dr. on myself. I added an extra rubberband on the top - hooking my molar to the upper metalic hook and slept on that for 8 hours. The next morning I didn't really feel much of anything. No pain, no discomfort. I then figured I need more pulling power so after brushing my teeth I replaced that rubber band with a new one and added an extra one that goes across from the molar to the lower hook. In the end I had 2 extra rubberbands and that did some magic. I left that on for about 8 hours, replacing it during lunch time. I think it really did something but I took it off because I was under if it would mess up my other teeth.
3) Time! I think it is almost time to get my braces off but I am not keeping my hopes up until I see that gap closed. They originally gave me an estimate of 22-24 months which translates to 95-104 weeks. Which means I have 7-22 weeks left. I doubt they will be off in 7 weeks but let's hope they are off in less than 22 weeks but I do want them off before June!!!!
My next ortho appointment is tomorrow!
Progress Pictures:
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