Adjusting the position of the teeth for proper alignment is not an easy process. Anyone who has used braces has experienced pain or aches for at least a few days. Pain relievers, tender foods and orthodontic wax are your allies. Call the orthodontist or dentist immediately if the pain is unbearable.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: New or Freshly Tightened Appliance
Step 1. Take some pain relievers
Try an over-the-counter non-steroidal pain reliever (NSAID) such as ibuprofen. Check the leaflet and take the recommended dosage for your age. Take it with some food to avoid stomach discomfort.
Take these pain relievers only when needed and never for more than 10 days
Step 2. Eat soft and cold foods
Several braces become rigid and move teeth using heat. Cold foods or drinks will decrease tension and provide temporary relief. Try smoothies, yogurt, ice cream, or apple juice. Choose them without garnishes or chunks. Sucking on crushed ice can help, but avoid ice cubes, which are too hard.
If you have temperature-sensitive teeth, or a less common type of brace, you may experience a different kind of pain. Hot liquids work best for some people. Don't eat hot and cold foods together, as this can damage tooth enamel
Step 3. Avoid hard or sticky foods
The teeth should be in place in a few days, but until then, give up on raw vegetables. Rather, eat soups, fish and rice. Cook the vegetables until tender, and choose berries and apple puree. Sticky foods such as chewing gum or toffee can easily break the appliance, and should be avoided even after the pain is gone.
After the initial pain subsides, you can eat hard foods in thin slices or small pieces
Step 4. Use dental floss to remove food
Fragments can always make the appliance painful, but especially when you have just tightened it. Use a "waxed thread" to prevent it from hooking onto the appliance.
Flossing daily, even if you don't notice any food residues, will keep your teeth clean. This is particularly important when using the appliance, because plaque builds up around the brackets
Step 5. Massage the gums with the toothbrush
Move the toothbrush gently in circles over the sore gums.
Step 6. Distract yourself
Taking time off at school or work can be fun, but you may regret it. Go out and follow the usual routine to take your mind off the pain.
Step 7. Ask the orthodontist for information on other treatments
He may recommend a gel, toothpaste, mouthwash, or physical barrier to relieve pain. Many of these are available over the counter in drugstores, but may suggest the product that will work best for you.
Part 2 of 2: Wire, Attachment, or Cutting Hook
Step 1. Locate the wound
If you're not sure where the wound is, run your finger or tongue along the inside of your mouth. You should feel a sore or swollen area. Find out which wire, attachment, or hook rubs against this area.
Step 2. Cover the metal with orthodontic wax
You can find it at the pharmacy or ask the orthodontist for information. Wash your hands, then roll up a small piece of wax until it softens and forms a ball. Press the wax on the irritating piece of metal, then smooth it with your finger or tongue. This works with sharp wires, bindings or elastic hooks.
You can leave the wax while you eat. It won't hurt if you swallow some
Step 3. Use cocoa butter as a temporary soothing
If you don't have orthodontic wax, a small amount of non-toxic lip balm can soothe the irritated area. Swallowing too much can cause stomach problems, but putting some in your mouth is safe. Use the remedy for only a short time before recovering orthodontic wax.
Some are allergic to para-aminobenzoic acid which can be found in cocoa butter with sunscreen. Call an ambulance if you feel dizzy or if your mouth swells
Step 4. Bend the wire or hooks to a more comfortable position
Try this only with thin, flexible threads or elastic hooks that are torturing the cheek or gums. Gently push back against your teeth, using a clean finger or brand new pencil eraser.
Do not do this with wires between the bindings or with any wire that does not bend easily
Step 5. Have the orthodontist remove the sharp wires
An orthodontist can cut a thread in an instant. Most of them won't charge you for it and you can even go there without asking for an appointment first.
This is not an emergency, therefore the orthodontist will probably not see you outside normal working hours. Continue to wax until the clinic opens
Step 6. Wait to improve
The inside of the mouth will become harder due to the device rubbing against it. As long as the device is not sharp and injures the mouth, the pain should disappear on its own. This could take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
Orthodontic wax can relieve pain. Once the pain is less severe, try using thinner pieces of wax to get your mouth used to the appliance
Step 7. Inhale to dry the area
Inhale deeply, filling your mouth with air. Pull your lips with your fingers. This can temporarily relieve sore areas of the mouth.
Do not try this in areas with dust, pollen or car exhaust
Step 8. Gargle with salt water
Pour a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water. Stir until the salt has dissolved. Quickly move the solution into your mouth, gargle and spit. Repeat as often as necessary in the first few days. This will relieve the swelling pain and help fight the infection.
Instead, you can use a mouthwash with antimicrobial properties. Use it as directed on the label. Do not ingest it
Step 9. Visit the orthodontist if the pain continues
If the pain is unbearable for you, you can call the orthodontist for an emergency visit. If the pain is moderate, but lasts more than a week, make an appointment with the orthodontist. He may discover a problem with your device, or switch to a less painful treatment.
Advice
- If the device is removable, take it out for 10-20 minutes when it becomes painful. Never try to remove non-removable appliances. Keep the elastic bands on the device at all times.
- Many of these methods can also be used to prevent pain before it arrives. It is easier to prevent pain than to try to get rid of it once you feel it.
- Do not hesitate to call the orthodontist for advice or to request an appointment.
Warnings
- If you have a serious problem, such as the inability to close your mouth or a pain that prevents you from sleeping, call the orthodontist immediately.
- Always follow the recommended dosage for pain relievers and don't take them more often than recommended. Painkillers may not completely eliminate the pain, but speak to a doctor before increasing the dosage: they are not drugs without side effects.
- Avoid lemon juice and other acidic foods - they can make mouth pain much more intense.
