From: Jack <jackkovalski@...>
Subject: [adultswithbraces] Re: Newly Braced
To: adultswithbraces@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, September 3, 2008, 7:01 PM

Hi Bonnie -

Welcome to the group and beleive me, it does get better. You are in
the phase right after bonding and it will take a while for you and
your mouth to adjust to all of the new hardware.

Try to keep Advil or Tylenol in your system for at least the first
few days if you are uncomfortable. Oragel helps too and don't forget
to put wax where ever you need it. Eventually you probably won't
need any of those things on a continuos basis but for now use them if
you need them.

There are Orthognathic Yahoo groups that can advise you about the
surgery and give you an idea of what to expect. Sometimes the
surgery can make a dramatic difference in the bite and appearance.

There habit appliances that will discourage or prevent you from
thrusting your tongue. There are a couple of examples in the photo
section of this group. I was going to add a few more that included
an example of what may work well for you but I don't seem to have
photo adding privilidges any more.

You are welcome to join my group to see see the "tongue roller" type
of appliance that is used to discourage tongue thrusting. I have a
couple of examples posted. One made for you would not have the
expander integrated in the appliance. There are also tongue crib
appliances that prevent your tongue from getting to your teeth and
there the more barbaric types like you mentioned that have barbs.

The link to my group is
http://health. groups.yahoo. com/group/ orthodontic_ appliances/

The photo album is called "Thumb and Tongue Thrust Habits"

Best of luck and hang in there. It will be worth it.

Jack

--- In adultswithbraces@ yahoogroups. com, "Bonnie" <bonnie1_81@ ...>
wrote:
>
> I got my braces on Tuesday 9/2. My teeth are sore, my bite is off,
and
> I am trying to find a way to comfortably position my mouth and
tongue
> (I am a tongue thruster). I can't eat much because I can't chew
due to
> my poor bite and sore teeth. I am trying to retrain myself with the
> tongue issue because I don't want to mess with my progress. I was
told
> by an oral surgeon that I would need orthognathic surgery because
> fixing my teeth (spaces and alignment) will cause me to have an
> underbite. I plan to ask my ortho about this and the possibility
of
> having to have this surgery on my next visit, which is 10/3. I
also
> need to know if there is anything I could use (possibly appliances)
to
> help me retrain myself with this tongue thrusting problem. I read
that
> a girl is getting a spiked retainer to block her tongue from
pushing up
> against her teeth. Any words of encouragement or tips would greatly
be
> appreciated! OH, I am estimated to have these things on for 2 years
(he
> said maybe less). We will see.
>