Braces are important because they allow you to straighten your teeth, but the discomfort it causes when you wear it can be frustrating and annoying. This discomfort is usually due to the body's response to pressure on the teeth and can vary according to age, stress levels and whether you are a man or a woman. There is no cure for getting rid of the pain caused by braces, but there are remedies to help reduce it.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Changing Your Diet
Step 1. Eat soft foods for the first few days
The most intense pain occurs in the first 24-72 hours after applying the device. During the first few days, eat very soft foods that don't require much chewing until you get used to eating with braces. Foods like soups, apple juice, and mashed potatoes are good choices.
Step 2. Eat cold or frozen foods such as ice cream
Cold foods give relief to the mouth as they anesthetize it. You can also suck on ice cubes. Place one in your mouth near the area where you feel the most discomfort. Ice numbs the mouth and reduces any inflammation that may occur.
Alternatively, freeze a baby teething ring, chew it, or just keep it in your mouth. This also gives some relief
Step 3. Avoid acidic drinks and foods
Acidic substances, such as citrus fruits for example, can aggravate mouth ulcers or other ailments. Avoid these foods to prevent further mouth irritation.
Step 4. Chew sugar-free gum
This increases blood flow in the mouth, gums and should help relieve discomfort. It's best if you take sugar-free ones to avoid cavities.
Step 5. Don't eat hard or sticky foods
Exclude certain types of food completely so that the appliance does not break down, as it could cause irritation as well as additional expense. Hard, sticky foods, such as potato chips, jerky, nuts, and soft candies can be bad for your appliance.
Do not even chew hard objects such as pens, pencils or ice cubes
Part 2 of 5: Oral Treatments
Step 1. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever
Medicines such as acetaminophen (Tachipirina) can offer some relief from the discomfort of the orthodontic appliance. Take a dose of acetaminophen (usually two tablets) every four hours. Make sure you eat while taking the drug, as if taken on an empty stomach it can cause heartburn. Drink a full glass of water to swallow the tablets.
- Follow the instructions on the leaflet to make sure you are taking the correct dosage.
- You can also take ibuprofen (such as Brufen) instead of acetaminophen, although some dentists and orthodontists do not recommend it as it can slow down the process of tooth movement. In any case, do not take both types of drugs: choose only one!
Step 2. Use a local anesthetic to numb the pain
You can find several non-prescription treatments at drugstores to reduce discomfort in the mouth. Generally these are anesthetics that numb the pain for a few hours; they come in the form of mouthwashes, rinses and gels. Ask the pharmacist for a product that can give you relief.
Follow the instructions on the package to apply the medication correctly. Some people experience allergic reactions when using these products, so always read the instructions carefully before proceeding
Step 3. Rinse your mouth with salt water
The salt water soothes the mouth and relieves any wounds that may have developed due to the friction of the appliance against the cheeks. To do this rinse, put a teaspoon of table salt in a glass of warm water. Stir to dissolve all the salt. Put a sip of this mixture in your mouth and move it carefully in your mouth for about a minute. When finished, spit it into the sink.
Repeat this procedure several times a day, especially in the first few days and whenever you feel more pain than usual
Step 4. Rinse your mouth with diluted hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an antiseptic and can reduce inflammation of the oral cavity. Mix one part of water with one part of 3% hydrogen peroxide in a glass. Put the mixture in your mouth and rinse gently for about a minute. Finally spit it into the sink. Repeat a couple of times a day.
- In grocery stores and pharmacies, you can find hydrogen peroxide-based products that are particularly suitable for treating mouth ulcers and providing relief, such as Colgate Oragard mouthwash.
- The taste of hydrogen peroxide is not always pleasant, especially due to the foam that inevitably forms when you rinse it in your mouth.
Step 5. Apply orthodontic wax
Orthodontic or dental wax is used as a barrier between the appliance and the mucous membranes of the mouth. You can find it easily in pharmacies; your orthodontist may have already placed some on you when he braced you.
To apply it, break off a small piece and shape it into a ball the size of a pea. This will heat it up and make the application process easier. With a piece of fabric, dry the area of the appliance where you want to apply the wax and press it directly onto the cable or bracket. Repeat as often as necessary
Step 6. Put on the rubber bands that came with the orthodontics
Both are mini rubber bands that are hooked around the appliance, so as to align it with the jaw in a certain way. These allow you to reduce the time it takes to straighten your teeth, so wearing them is definitely a great benefit. The orthodontist will give you all the directions to position and keep them as much as possible, except when you eat or brush your teeth, and will advise you to replace them often.
These elastics can often cause discomfort, especially in the first few days of wearing orthodontics. But they can cause even more discomfort if you're not used to wearing them. If you only wear them a couple of hours a day or a couple of times a week, they will be far more irritating than continuous use
Part 3 of 5: Changing Your Teeth Cleaning Habits
Step 1. Choose a toothpaste for sensitive teeth
Most brands of toothpaste produce the special version for sensitive teeth. This contains a chemical, potassium nitrate, which helps reduce sensitivity by protecting the nerves in the gums. A synthetic form of potassium nitrate is present in most of these toothpastes, although some brands use the natural form. However, both are safe for the oral cavity.
Follow the instructions on the package for proper use
Step 2. Get a soft-bristled toothbrush
Toothbrush bristles can range from soft to stiff. Soft ones are the most gentle on teeth and gums. So choose a toothbrush of this type.
Step 3. Brush your teeth gently
If you have a habit of brushing them aggressively, wearing braces will be particularly painful, especially in the first few days. Be gentle, brush slowly and carefully in a circular motion. Take your time when washing them and when you open your mouth a lot.
Step 4. Brush and floss after eating
When you have braces, you need to use both after every meal, even when you are away from home. Without this careful care for your teeth, you risk cavities, swollen gums or other oral problems. Your teeth need extra care while you are wearing braces.
Get a travel toothbrush, a mini tube of toothpaste, and a small packet of dental floss; take them with you when you are away from home, so that you always have them available and can use them after eating
Part 4 of 5: Get Visited by the Orthodontist
Step 1. Test the appliance for some time before visiting your doctor
Some pain is normal during the early days. However, if you are still experiencing intolerable pain after a few weeks, you should go to the dentist for a check-up and ask him a few questions.
Step 2. Ask him to loosen the appliance
If the pain is too intense, the cause may be too tight orthodontics. If it's tight it doesn't necessarily mean it needs to work better or your teeth straighten quickly. Ask your doctor for advice on proper application.
Step 3. Ask the orthodontist to cut the protruding wires of the appliance
Sometimes, there may be small threads at the ends of the braces sticking out and rubbing against the inside of the cheek. They can be extremely uncomfortable and cause severe pain. If you find that you have any, ask your doctor to cut the ends, you should experience immediate relief.
Step 4. Ask me to prescribe some pretty strong medications or other treatments
If you really feel the need, your doctor may prescribe you a stronger dose of ibuprofen, if regular over-the-counter medications don't seem to work.
Your doctor may also recommend other treatments - a chewer, for example. This is a product that you can bite into for a few minutes several times every hour. The chewing act helps activate blood circulation in the gums which, in turn, can relieve pain
Step 5. Ask for other options to reduce pain or discomfort
Your doctor will be able to give you other useful advice in managing your specific problem. He has had experience with many different people and has seen several remedies that have proven effective with other patients.
Part 5 of 5: Preparing for an Adjustment
Step 1. Plan ahead
You do not always have the possibility to choose the best time for you to be able to make an appointment to adjust the appliance. But, if possible, try to plan a day when you don't have commitments, important events, or other activities that require concentration and attention. Try to fix it towards the end of the day, so that you can go home soon after and rest.
Step 2. Stock up on soft foods
The mouth will still be sensitive for a couple of days after the adjustment and / or tightening procedure. You have to try to eat soft foods like mashed potatoes, pudding, soups and similar foods for a couple of days.
Step 3. Take a pain reliever before going to your appointment
Take a paracetamol tablet before you go to the doctor, so that it can already be in circulation during the visit. In this way, the pain and discomfort will be reduced immediately. Take another pain reliever 4-6 hours after the first one to keep the pain under control.
Step 4. Talk to the orthodontist if you are having difficulty
This is an opportunity to tell him if you have any problems with your braces or if you experience other discomforts such as headaches or mouth pains, which do not heal. He may make other adjustments for you to help alleviate or resolve these issues.
