Braces are now more comfortable and effective than ever before. Being fitted with braces for the first time does take some getting used to. There may be some mild discomfort as you adjust to this new feeling within your mouth. To alleviate any discomfort for first time orthodontic patients, Crescent Orthodontics has come up with 10 tips for braces pain relief you can use to find relief from your own braces.
1: Rinsing your mouth with warm, salty water may help dull some of the pain associated with having new braces. Warmer water is great for soothing gums and teeth. As teeth are being straightened, braces guide them into place which can cause some discomfort.
2: Dental hygiene is a big factor in preventing further discomfort caused by braces. By practicing good oral hygiene, you are able to care for your mouth and prevent any discomfort associated with other oral issues that may arise. It is especially important that you brush and floss your teeth well during your time with braces. Pay more attention to detail and get in the crevices for a fresh feeling mouth.
3: Being mindful of what you eat is important. You will want to be sure that you follow along with the guidelines for what food and drink is and isn’t a good idea with braces. Avoid foods that may move or aggravate treatment with braces. Focus on eating soft foods like fruits and veggies. This will also alleviate some inflammation if you have any in regard to your gums.
4: Orthodontic wax can create a comfortable field between parts of your mouth, and your metal orthodontic hardware. By using orthodontic wax you are able to ease and prevent irritation within the mouth caused by braces.
5: Orajel or other toothache soothing gel can be applied directly to the sore areas in the mouth. This is proven to aid in the common tooth ache. This method can also be applied to discomfort caused by braces and other hardware.
6: Advil or aspirin can reduce inflammation and dull pain caused by irritation and adjusting teeth.
7: Much the same way that heat can have positive pain relieving effect, so can ice! Applying an ice pack to particularly sore regions of the mouth can provide a much needed reduction of swelling in the mouth. Also, the ice can provide a great numbing effect for the whole mouth.
8: Drinking ice water is also effective. Almost like using an ice pack, in a more refreshing form for summer months especially.
9: Gently massaging your gums with fingertips in a circular motion is a great exercise to practice. Be careful to avoid rubbing your inner mouth with the sides of your brackets and wires or other hardware whilst doing so.
10: Patience is a virtue as some may say. In most cases, pain generally lessens on its own within a quick amount of time. Simply getting used to the hardware can be the objective for the first month, as well as after getting your braces tightened. However if you have any troubling pain that isn’t being relieved with the 10 tips for braces pain relief listed above, perhaps the best thing to do is to make an appointment with Crescent Orthodontics. If you have any questions or concerns, there has never been a better time to make an appointment than now!
