Those who have got or have had braces will know how painful they can be – but as the saying goes, no pain, no gain!
Jokes aside, getting your braces tightened can be a stressful process that may mean you’re now desperately scouring the internet for brace pain remedies.
At Oldham Orthodontics, we’ve put together ten top tips that can help with the pain of having braces:
Choose soft foods
Opting for soft foods is the best way forward if you’re wearing braces. They’re not only less likely to damage your braces, they’re also less likely to make your sensitive teeth even more painful. We recommend eating soft, steamed vegetables, along with things like soft cheese, yoghurt, soup, boiled or mashed potatoes, eggs and tender soft-cooked meats and fish.
Gargle with saltwater
In some cases, braces can cause small sores to form on the inside of your mouth. Gargling with a spot of saltwater can act as a natural antiseptic and nip problems in the bud before they become even more painful.
Apply orthodontic wax
If you are suffering with sores in the mouth, applying an orthodontic wax can help create a barrier between your teeth and the soft tissues of your mouth. It’s usually applied over the braces as required, but can also be used on particular sore spots in the mouth.
Cut back on acidic drinks and foods
Acidic and sugary drinks and foods, like fruit juice and sweets, can irritate any sores in your mouth as well as encourage bacteria to multiply around your braces. If there’s a perfect time to cut out sugary foods and drinks, it’s now.
Use teething rings
Did you know? Teething rings aren’t just for babies! They can also come in handy if you’re suffering from braces pain. Once frozen, pop one in your mouth and chew on it gently, paying special attention to the area that hurts the most.
Use a local anaesthetic
If you have pain in specific areas of your mouth, it may be worth trying a local anaesthetic gel like Orabase or Orajel. These products numb the affected area, allowing you to be pain free, even if just for a short while.
Eat ice cubes and cold food
Ice is a widely used remedy in injuries that involve swelling. Your mouth is no different – try eating an ice cube or some ice cream to reduce inflammation. In turn, this should help to reduce the pain.
Use a warm flannel
If your jaw is hurting, pressing a warm flannel against it can help to reduce discomfort. This is particularly beneficial if ice or cold food hasn’t worked and can be repeated several times a day.
Use painkillers
If your pain is particularly severe, you may need to try some over-the-counter painkillers, like paracetamol or ibuprofen. These can be used in conjunction with any of the other remedies discussed in this article, but be sure to ask your dentist or doctor about the proper dosage.
Try a bite wafer
Your orthodontist may have given you some bite wafers to use. These help relieve discomfort when you get your braces adjusted. Chewing on the wafer helps increase blood flow to your teeth and gums, which in turn reduces your discomfort. Just remember to wash your bite wafer at least once a day in retainer cleaner.
Overall, try and remember that when your teeth have adjusted to the new brace settings, the pain will eventually subside. You might experience mild pain for a couple of days, but when you’ve got your beautifully straight smile you’ll forget all about it.
If you need any further advice on how to reduce braces pain, or if you are looking to have braces fitted, call our expert orthodontics today on: 0161 622 0987, or email: info@oldhamorthodontics.co.uk.