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I’m in so much pain!

Here’s a tip: don’t eat pineapples when you’re wearing braces, especially if they’re not ripe. Every time I eat a pineapple I end up with bleeding cheeks and gums. A few pieces might be okay, but I can never stop at just a few. The acid burns off the delicate skin and the brackets rub raw flesh. Why do I keep eating them? Sometimes I crave them, but this is too much even for me!

I had a pineapple a couple of days ago and I ran out of wax (keep forgetting to buy it). Now I have a gigantic sore “the size of Texas” on the lower right and I think it’s infected. My tongue is still lacerated and now burned, my throat hurts when I swallow and – get this – my neck is swollen on the right side. The gland in the neck is inflamed because of the infected sore! Just like some people get swollen neck from strep throats and other infections.

I can’t believe I was so reckless and lazy. If you think it must be not that painful, trust me – it’s very painful, very raw, constant pain. It’s just I’m pretty lazy in the winter and it’s been getting really cold outside. I work at home and prefer to not step out in cold weather unless I absolutely have to.

Of course, now I’m worrying myself sick, really hoping it’s not something more serious. I’m wearing a warm scarf, keep rinsing with salty warm water a lot and avoiding the sweets. I’m trying to talk less, but that’s not always possible. My clients must think I’m drunk half the time with my slurring, but a mean and serious kind of drunk, not fun and bubbly. Hard to be bubbly with this stuff in my mouth