How To Reduce Pain From Braces
10 Tips for Braces Pain Relief Individuals think that braces are very painful, but there’s actually not much pain or discomfort after you get used to wearing them. You may feel some discomfort right after the orthodontist puts the braces on and when your wires are tightened, but there are ways to get braces pain relief.1.
- Oral anesthetics A simple way to get some braces pain relief is to rub an oral anesthetic like Orajel or Anbesol directly on the sensitive teeth and gums.
- You can use either a cotton swab or your finger to apply it.
- Oral anesthetics desensitize your teeth and gums so you don’t feel the discomfort of shifting teeth so acutely.2.
Over-the-counter pain medicine Another option is to take, If you know you always feel some discomfort after an orthodontic appointment, take the medicine an hour before your appointment. You’ll feel less pain and discomfort during and after your appointment this way.
- Make sure you read the instructions on the medicine and follow the dosage instructions carefully.
- This medicine isn’t meant to be used on a consistent basis, so if you are still feeling pain and discomfort after a couple of days, immediately.3.
- An ice pack Cold temperatures can reduce inflammation and numb the mouth so you don’t feel the pain.
If you have an ice pack handy, it’ll work great. Just apply the ice pack to the outside of your mouth for braces pain relief.4. Cold ice water If none of the options mentioned above are available, then a simple glass of cold ice water can also do the trick.
- After you get back from your orthodontic appointment, sip on a nice cold glass of ice water.
- This will numb your mouth enough to relieve some of the pain and discomfort.5.
- Soft foods With, there are a lot of restrictions, especially when it comes down to what you can eat.
- You should not eat hard candy, gum, and hard to chew foods with braces on.
You may want to stick to avoiding just crunchy foods right after getting your braces put on and after each tightening. You can do this by sticking to soft foods like soups, mashed potatoes. and cereal. Even if you chose and don’t have to worry about wire straightening, you’ll still have an adjustment period with each new set of aligners.
During these adjustment periods, be kind to your mouth and stick to softer foods.6. Orthodontic wax You will most likely get orthodontic wax sent home with you. This is a special wax that protects the inside of your lips, cheeks, and gums from the brackets of the braces. The wax creates a barrier that keeps the sharp ends of the brackets from irritating your mouth.
Follow the instructions that you’re given to use orthodontic wax. Basically, you mold the wax over the bracket that is causing the irritation. It is a nontoxic wax so you don’t have to worry about accidentally swallowing some, but remember to take it off before brushing your teeth.
- Reapply the wax after brushing your teeth and after meals.7.
- A warm rinse While cold temperatures certainly do the trick, a warm salt water rinse can help too.
- Gurgling with warm salt water can help heal any sores or cuts you might have in your mouth and on your gums from the braces.8.
- A gum massage If massaging a sore shoulder works, why not massage your gums for pain relief too? It’s also really simple to do too.
All you have to do is gently rub your gums in a circular fashion with one of your fingers. For the full effect, rub your gums with a block of ice before massaging them. You should only do this long enough to relax your swollen gums though.9. Good dental hygiene How you take care of your teeth and braces can also make a difference in how much pain and discomfort you have.
The most important thing to remember when wearing braces is that you have to keep both your teeth and braces sparking clean to ward off tooth decay and gum inflammation. Food will get stuck on the brackets and wires so you also need to clean them thoroughly. Make sure you brush, floss, and use mouth wash to ensure that you get rid of all the food particles leftover from when you eat.10.
Need to be patient Probably the most important tip to get through this adjustment period is to be patient. Keep your overall goal in mind: a healthier, beautiful smile. The pain and discomfort will only last a few days, but your new smile will always be with you so you should take proper care of it.
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How long will my teeth hurt after braces are put on?
After five days to a week, any initial discomfort associated with the braces should be gone or much improved. The teeth will have gradually acclimated to the braces, and eating should be much easier.
Are braces pain tolerable?
Do Braces Hurt/What to Expect One of the most commonly asked questions about braces is whether placing them causes any pain or discomfort. The honest answer is that braces do not hurt at all when they are applied to the teeth, so there is no reason to be anxious about the placement appointment.
- There will be mild soreness or discomfort after the orthodontic wire is engaged into the newly placed brackets, which may last for a few days to a week.
- Most patients experience some discomfort the first 4 days to a week after their braces, expanders, and/or wires are placed and after a wire adjustment and/or an activation appointment.
Your lips and cheeks may need one to two weeks to get used to the braces on your teeth. All the appliances and wires that we use are cutting-edge, and exert very light, continuous, and biologically sound forces that greatly decrease any soreness associated with orthodontic treatment.
Why do braces hurt so much at night?
When you begin wearing braces, the quality of your sleep may suffer in the initial days or weeks. Generally, this is simply because your gums and cheeks aren’t yet used to the dental apparatus being in your mouth. A certain amount of pain and discomfort is completely normal during this period.
Why do braces hurt the first night?
Regular Appointments – We regularly schedule appointments to monitor your progress during treatment. At these appointments, we change the archwire and elastics and also make adjustments to your braces. We apply gentle pressure to move teeth into proper alignment.
Can I eat a burger with braces?
A: Yes, you can eat a burger AND sushi with braces. Remember to chew carefully. You can also cut your food into bite size pieces. – A few days after getting your braces on or after an adjustment, you may feel sensitivity or soreness in your teeth. During this time, you may need to stick to a diet of softer foods.
