Sometimes we have patients coming in for brace treatment that think that braces are very painful, but there is actually not much pain or discomfort after you get used to wearing braces. 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 pain relief from braces.
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 desensitise 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 over-the-counter pain medicine. If you know you always feel some discomfort after an orthodontic appointment, take the medicine an hour before your appointment. You will feel less pain and discomfort during and after your appointment this way.
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 will 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 water. This will numb your mouth enough to relieve some of the pain and discomfort.
5. Soft foods
With traditional wire braces, 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 also want to avoid 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 Invisalign and don’t have to worry about wire straightening, you will 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.
So, there you have it, 5 ways you can relieve your braces discomfort. But if there are any issues or maybe you haven’t got braces yet and you’re doing your research, then make sure to get in touch with Oldham Orthodontics today at 0161 768 0931.