Braces Pain? Here’s How to Soothe Your Mouth at Home
Are you or your child experiencing braces pain? Don’t worry. These at-home remedies can help soothe the mouth and gums – check them out, and feel better.
No one looks forward to have those rigid pieces of metal lining our mouth.
Braces: they can be painful, a source of embarrassment, and require more time, effort, and extra tools in order to maintain good dental hygiene.
Some of us are experiencing all of these things now, some of us will experience this in the future, and some who have already endured it. All you veterans know to keep an extra toothbrush, floss, mouthwash, and a dental pick on your persons at all times.
There are probably a few school or work pictures (maybe still hanging in your parents’ house) with a sad, tight-lipped smile instead of a cheesy grin from other years. Many of you still have vivid memories of the pain after each your orthodontist appointments.
For those who play or played soccer, taking a ball to the face usually resulted in bleeding lips, cut from the impact with the braces.
Painful memories will fade and the trouble will all be worth it – a beautiful straight smile. One study even shows that people with a straighter smile are perceived as being “more successful, smarter, and having more dates.”
With the end goal in mind, know that are are many ways that you can make the time you wear braces more bearable and less painful. Read on to find some easy methods to relieve braces pain.
Braces Pain Relief From OTC Pain Medication
If you are going to miss school or work (always a bonus) for an orthodontist appointment, bring some ibuprofen with you. Don’t return to your normal day without a couple ibuprofen pills to relieve some pain.
Some of the wire tightening visits hurt more than others especially during the winter months when your face and lips are chapped – those cracked corners of your mouth can really make you wince. Small doses of anti-inflammatory medication are handy tablets to have in those instances.
Ask your orthodontist or medical professional how much and often you should take OTC pain medication.
Gargle To Relieve Pain
Another way to relieve braces pain at home is to gargle with salt water, a hydrogen peroxide solution, or even green tea.
All of these solutions have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, healing, and soothing properties that will cause any sensitivity and throbbing in your mouth to subside.
For a saltwater solution, mix 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt in an 8-ounce glass of warm water. For a hydrogen peroxide solution, mix one part hydrogen peroxide and one part water – simple enough.
Eating And Drinking Soothing Foods And Beverages
One of the first things you learn when you get braces is the long list of foods to avoid. These foods can be hard to brush away, damaging to the braces themselves, painful to consume.
While that list is indeed long, there are plenty of foods that will actually soothe your braces pain.
Cold food and drink, just like if you were to ice an injury, will cause swelling to go down in your mouth. You can eat ice cream, popsicles, suck on ice cubes (don’t chew them, though!), drink smoothies or frozen beverages – even just a glass of ice water – to help soothe the oral pain.
Hot food and drink, on the other hand, would be like applying a heating pad to soothe an ache. Eating mashed potatoes, soup, and oatmeal, as well as drinking hot tea and coffee will serve to subdue your achy mouth.
Finally, be sure to avoid drinking acidic drinks like orange juice and harsh sodas that will corrode and sting any mouth sores you might have from your braces.
Practice Good Hygiene
Great dental hygiene, while it can seem like a lot of work, really does pay off. It’s even more important to use great dental hygiene when you have braces. There are tons more places for food and bacteria to hide when you have braces.
Avoid cavities and protect the smile you’re already working to improve by practicing the steps in this helpful video.
Overall, remember to floss, rinse with mouthwash, and brush at least twice daily. Take advantage of the helpful tools like floss threaders, proxabrushes, and special mouthwash for braces wearers.
Don’t forget to use a soft bristle brush that will keep you from injuring your mouth with frequent brushing.
Tools From The Orthodontist
The orthodontists at Manalese Dental are always more than happy to tell you about any tools they would recommend you use to ease your braces pain.
One tool that is tried and true is dental wax. You can use dental wax to cover any pokey parts or brackets that are scraping a sensitive area. Many athletes and active people use the wax for oral injuries and abrasions.
Another tool is the tiny rubber bands that the orthodontist will give to you each visit. The rubber bands will keep your bite in line to prevent the brackets from rubbing against the inner parts of your mouth.
Your orthodontist can also discuss with you the possibility of fitting you for a mouth guard. If you play sports, a mouth guard is already something that will help keep your smile safe. When braces are added into the mix, the need for a mouth guard grows.
Protect your mouth from your braces and your braces from your mouth.
Talk To Your Orthodontist
All of these home remedies will help relieve your braces pain. If your pain persists, however, reach out to your friendly and helpful orthodontist at Manalese Dental. We are the experts, and we will be able to provide advice that comes from years of experience.
Don’t be afraid to ask about your pain. Ask for a portion of your braces to be clipped or adjusted if needed. Your orthodontist values your feedback and wants you to be comfortable.
Braces can be uncomfortable and even painful at times, but there are ways to alleviate this pain. Be sure to try out these easy methods as well as reach out to your Manalese Dental orthodontist. And remember, your smile will be worth it!
Request an appointment today!