Relieving Soreness Caused by Wearing Braces
It is a milestone of many children and teenagers lives: getting orthodontic braces. Most of the anxiety occurs before the braces come on, but soon after the anxiety disappears, the patient realizes there is a little soreness.
There was a time that parents and teens worried most about the initial application of braces, but in recent years the conversation has turned to how to deal with the sore mouth of wearing braces. The general belief is that the pain is temporary and through some soft foods and a little bit of ibuprofen, the pain should subside. Here are some other tips for dealing with a sore mouth when wearing braces:
Gargle with salt water. It is an easy way to relieve the pressure and inflation of the pain. This goes best after the braces are applied, preventing infection or undo irritation of your gums or the inside of your cheeks and lips. Most people make their own saline solution the old school way: dissolve a few pinches of salt in warm water.
Shy away from solid or crunchy foods. Any type of food that requires biting down with force is only going to increase pain and irritation in your mouth. Soups, yogurt, pudding, and other soft, bland foods are your friends during this initial time. Consider other soft foods and other do's and don't during your orthodontic treatment.
Ibuprofen. Try Ibuprofen or other over-the-counter painkillers that can help decrease the pain and lessen the discomfort if you are going through this adjustment.
Enjoy a popsicle. Even better, try frozen yogurt and ice cream, more pliable than solid rigid popsicles. Biting down on something cold, yet soft, can help reduce pressure while soothing the pain away.
Follow your doctor's instructions. It seems obvious, but wearing braces is not a one-size-fits-all piece of apparel. There is a reason why patients chose specialists when it comes to wearing braces. Read our instructions about rubber bands and retainers. Our diagrams and rubber band instructions are tailored for you, not following them does not give your mouth any time to adjust to the treatments, let alone the braces.
At Tri-Cities Orthodontic Specialists we strive to make our patient experience as pleasant as possible whether their concerns be clinical or financial. We want to ensure that our patients are excited about their treatment outcome and relaxed during each visit. Our goal is to meet each patient needs to the best of our ability. Call us today: 276.642.0043
Sources:
https://www.orthodonticslimited.com/braces/best-ways-to-relieve-soreness-from-braces/
https://www.orthodonticslimited.com/braces/braces-pain-relief-tips/