Yeah, I got those little cracks too—mostly at the back edges. I think it’s just from popping them in and out a lot, especially if you’re in a hurry. Didn’t seem to mess with how they worked though. As for the soreness, totally normal for me. I’d sometimes do painkillers on tray-switch days if it was really bugging me. Chewies are weirdly helpful, but I lost mine all the time... Ended up just using my fingers sometimes, which probably isn’t ideal but hey, it worked.
Chewies are weirdly helpful, but I lost mine all the time... Ended up just using my fingers sometimes, which probably isn’t ideal but hey, it worked.
Yeah, I totally get that. I kept losing my chewies too—those things just disappear somehow. Using your fingers isn’t the worst, but I found a silicone pencil grip did the trick in a pinch. The tiny cracks at the back worried me at first, but my ortho said as long as the trays still fit and aren’t sharp, it’s not a big deal. Soreness on switch days is such a pain, though. Ibuprofen helped, but I also tried switching trays at night so I could sleep through most of the ache. Hang in there, it does get easier over time.
My kid keeps losing the chewies too—seriously, where do they go? I’m a little nervous about using fingers or random stuff though. Did anyone’s trays ever crack worse after using other things? And is it really okay if there are tiny cracks? I worry about germs too...
Those chewies are like socks in the dryer—always disappearing. I’ve wondered about using other stuff too, but honestly, I’d be nervous about germs. My trays got a tiny crack once after I tried biting on a pen (not my brightest idea). Dentist said as long as it’s not sharp or splitting, it’s usually okay, but I still felt weird about it. The germ thing bugs me too... I just try to keep spares around now.
My trays got a tiny crack once after I tried biting on a pen (not my brightest idea). Dentist said as long as it’s not sharp or splitting, it’s usually okay, but I still felt weird about it.
Honestly, I’d be a bit cautious with even small cracks. Sometimes they can get worse over time, especially if you keep wearing the tray. I get the germ concern too—chewies are designed to be cleaned, but pens and random stuff definitely aren’t. If you’re out of chewies, a clean damp washcloth rolled up can work in a pinch (just wash it first). Not perfect, but safer than a pen for sure.
