Swallowing wax—yep, been there, done that. Tastes like absolutely nothing, which is almost disappointing. I always tell folks, salt water rinses are the unsung hero for angry cheeks. The tea bag trick cracks me up, but honestly, tannins can help a bit. I used to joke with patients that the first few weeks with braces is like breaking in a new pair of shoes... except it’s your mouth and you can’t just take them off when you get home. Give it a little time, and your cheeks will toughen up—promise.
Cheek carnage is just part of the initiation, right? I swear, I spent the first week talking like I had marbles in my mouth. Here’s what helped me:
Step 1: Salt water rinse—burns a little, but it’s weirdly soothing.
Step 2: Wax, but like, actually *mash* it onto the brackets (don’t be shy).
Step 3: Sleep with a clean sock over your pillow so you don’t drool wax everywhere. Not sure if it helps, but it made me feel proactive.
Honestly, my cheeks got used to it after a couple weeks. Until then, smoothies and sarcasm were my coping mechanisms.
That first week with braces is no joke—I remember feeling like my mouth had been through a blender. The salt water rinse really does wonders, even if it stings a bit at first. I was skeptical about the wax, but you’re right, you’ve gotta really smoosh it on there or it just falls off. Never tried the sock trick, but hey, whatever gets you through the night.
It really does get easier. My cheeks toughened up after a while, and now I barely notice the brackets. I lived on yogurt and mashed potatoes at first, and honestly, I think complaining about it was half the fun. Hang in there—the worst part fades before you know it.
- I know everyone says your cheeks toughen up, but mine just… didn’t? Even after a month, I still got random sore spots.
- Wax never stuck for me, it’d just slide off after a few minutes—especially if I ate anything warm.
- Salt water rinse helped a bit, but honestly, I found cold water or even sucking on an ice cube worked faster when things got really irritated.
- Yogurt and mashed potatoes are fine, but I got super bored after a few days. Ended up blending soups and even scrambled eggs, which was way more filling.
- Not sure about the sock trick—seems weird to sleep with something bulky on your face. I tried folding up a tissue and tucking it between my cheek and brackets at night. Not perfect, but it kept things from rubbing so much.
- Complaining definitely helps, but I wish there was a magic fix for the mouth pain. Cheeks never really “toughened up” for me, just got used to it being annoying.
Anyone else not have their mouth adjust like people say?
Cheeks never really “toughened up” for me, just got used to it being annoying.
Same here, honestly. I kept waiting for that magical “toughening up” everyone talks about, but nope—still random sore spots after weeks. Did anyone else get weird little ulcers too? I tried the tissue trick and it helped a bit, but sometimes it just made my mouth feel extra crowded. Has anyone found something that actually stays put overnight?
