Grin {and Bear It}: 15 Minute Breaks

Fifteen minutes is not a lot of time to perform your Therabite + jiggle exercises, clean your splint, eat, take your medications, use the Waterpik + brush your teeth, and get the splint back in place and all banded up. You must be diligent and organized to do it five times a day within the time limit.

TIPS- Successful Splint Changes in 15 Min.

1. MEDICATION: As soon as you wake up in the morning get all of your medicines separated out, into five individual containers, for the day.

It is helpful to keep a list of what medicines you take during each splint break. This way you won't forget anything, take too many pills, or get confused.

2. SUPPLIES: Keep your hygiene and splint supplies on an organized tray in your bathroom. Have everything ready to use in a hurry. I even count out my rubber-bands beforehand, so that I can quickly get them back in. Once you've done it enough, you can band back up in about one minute.

I use three toothbrushes-- the baby toothbrush for brushing my teeth, the second for brushing my splint once I have soaked it in Efferdent (during the first morning break), and the third for brushing my splint with toothpaste (at each break), and ACT Fluoride Rinse (after the evening soak). Make sure to have hand towels and Kleenex readily available. That Waterpik loves to splatter everywhere.

3. FOOD: Prepare your meal, puree it, and have it heated and ready to eat before you take out your splint. Your spoon/straw, napkin, drink, and meds should all be set out. Be careful when you're popping in big pills, you don't want to accidentally bite down on one when you're swallowing.

4. TASKS: As soon as you unband and remove your splint, start your timer, brush your splint and then soak it if it is the first or last break of the day. Next, do your Therabite and Jiggle Exercises before eating. This way, you will be sure to get them in, and you won't hurt yourself rushing in the last seconds.

I quickly open and close the Therabite, so not to strain my muscles.

I slide side-to-side, on the tongue depressor, for my Jiggle Exercises.

5. LOG: You're not going to remember what time you complete each splint break. Since they have to be at least two hours apart, keep an ongoing log of the times you finish up.