I still have my freakin' braces on after 3 years and I am 23! I don't know exactly what was wrong with my mouth because I didn't care enough to listen. Why? I was irritated I had to have them put on because I have had major troubles with my old "trusty" teeth. What I do know though is I have had a full mouth of braces for the whole time I have had braces. The first 6 months of braces I had this thing attached to the back top bands that suctioned to the roof of my mouth. You think the braces are a curse? Have that suction cup thingy in your mouth for 6 months that causes you to have a lisp. AHHHH!

I also had 2 extra molars in my mouth. You're supposed to have 12, I had 14. Because of the extra molars and my bad TMJ, I was given a choice of having the spare molars pulled or have TMJ surgery. I might still have the TMJ surgery depending on the severity of the TMJ after the braces are taken off. The braces are supposed to correct the TMJ. Don't know how but that's up to the orthodontist.

I had 4 wisdom teeth extracted at the same time. I had the little string thing under the tongue snipped. In the summer before 2nd grade, I fell on a trampoline bar that was steel and not padded. Needless to say, I busted my mouth open and busted the string thing that connects the upper lip to the top gum.

My best suggestion for your son is good brushing, rinse with warm salt water and then some minty mouthwash, and some Ibuprofen. The salt water and mouth wash causes the gums to stop swelling. That might be causing some of the pain. For his lips being cut, use some wax. Oh! Make him floss, yea, I know, it's a real pain with braces. Flossing also helps the gums to stop swelling.

Good luck to your son and all those out there with braced up mouths!