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Had braces and cheek swollen. Normal?

My dd had braces put in about 4 days ago and one cheek has really swollen up and she has a sore throat and looks rough . Is this normal? Do you go back to the dentist or go to the doctor or just leave it. I am keeping her topped up with ibruprofen but read a post elsewhere where people said cheeks do swell after braces so now unsure.

Comments

  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,098 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 25 June 2009 am30 11:22AM
    Having all that wire against the cheek can cause a 'reaction' until the patient's body gets used to it.

    If you're worried though, let the dentist look at it and get reassurance. (the dentist who's dealing with the braces).

    Never go to the doctor for anything in the mouth - they're rubbish at it! If it's a good doctor, they'll tell you to go to a dentist if it's a bad one, they'll flip a coin and either prescribe Corsodyl, or antibiotics. And that includes for oral carcinomas!!!
    How to find a dentist.
    1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
    2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
    3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
    4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.
  • Mandles
    Mandles Posts: 4,121 Forumite
    Thanks, that is what i thought. I booked an appointment with orthodontist again. DD is not amused as she wanted to see the dr but i said what you said that they would just refer her to the dentist anyway.

    I went to the dr as my jaw keeps locking (im sure i did it while trying to get to a back tooth, it cracked and has not been the same since). I also cannot open my mouth properly anymore to eat. Dr said go to dentist but to be honest i do not think my nhs dentist is that good (my one when i was younger was fantastic) . I cannot always understand what he is saying and i always feel so rushed. So is there anyone else who can sort my jaw out? Any ideas how much would i be looking at to go private ?
  • Hi,

    I had braces years ago and I do remember the inside of my mouth getting very sore and probably a bit swollen from the wires rubbing against it. It did clear up after a few days when my mouth got used to it. One bit of advice the dentist gave me was to put some wax over the bits of wire that are irritating and as the wax is smooth it doesn't make you sore. I'm sure the dentist gave me some special wax to put on but can't really remember as it was so long ago!

    I am wish a private dentist and I think the prices are reasonable, I have only been twice in the past 6 years or so and it was £20 for a check up and to have teeth cleaned. Last time I was there, someone else was paying for 2 or 3 filling they had just had done and it was £30 or £35 and I remember thinking - thats cheap, I should get some of those!! If it was me I would make an appointment with a private dentist and see what he says, if it is going to be more then you could afford you could always go back to your nhs dentist and get him to do it?

    Feline Princess
  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,098 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Mandles wrote: »
    So is there anyone else who can sort my jaw out? Any ideas how much would i be looking at to go private ?

    Sorting your jaw out may well be just a case of giving you a few simple 'dos' and 'don'ts'.

    Going private is probably not as much as you think, if all you know about private prices is what you've read in the newspapers! Most towns will have quite a wide variety of prices to go for.

    The thing you are buying though is time. So the cheaper the prices are, the more patients the dentist will have to get through to cover the overheads.

    You should be able to find somewhere with good service for a reasonable price though. Follow the tips in my sig to find somewhere.
    How to find a dentist.
    1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
    2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
    3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
    4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.
  • Teerah
    Teerah Posts: 1,794 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I would imagine the sore throat and looking rough are just coincidental, maybe a virus of some sort working on your daughter. Regarding the sore cheeks, it probably is just the inside of the mouth adapting to the newness of the braces and dental wax may help.
  • Mandles
    Mandles Posts: 4,121 Forumite
    Thank you again. Been to orthodontist and she has a bit of an infection due to bugs getting into a tooth that is coming through at the back. It has infected her gum etc.

    Also the new brace was adjusted as it was digging in her cheeks. So lots of salt rinses and keeping that tooth clean and ibruprofen.
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