Top Tips to Alleviate Braces Pain

Achieving the smile you’ve always wanted takes dedication and hard work. For patients who have braces, not only do they need to care for their teeth every day but they also have to learn how to manage any pain and discomfort when it arises. Having metal brackets stuck to your teeth will be a bit of a shock to your body to start with, but your mouth will get used to them soon enough. Along with learning how to correctly brush and floss your teeth with braces, it’s equally important to understand how to manage any pain and discomfort.

Keep in mind that the pain that you’ll experience with braces is only temporary and at the end of treatment, you’ll have a beautiful smile and healthy teeth. Being patient is central to the success of your treatment and recognizing the variety of techniques which are used to reduce any pain are certainly useful. In today’s article, we’re going to offer some insight by providing you with our top tips to alleviate braces pain.

Orthodontics wax

Your orthodontist will typically give you orthodontics wax at the beginning of treatment which should be used when you experience irritation triggered by your braces. The wax is applied directly to the metal braces and is designed to develop a barrier which alleviates the irritation to your gums, cheeks, or lips. Orthodontics wax should also be used if one of your metal wires breaks and rubs against your cheeks.

Ice pack or cold foods

The first point of call for professional sports players when they get injured is to put an ice pack on the affected area. The same is applicable for your mouth and gums. Cold temperatures is an effective pain relief technique that is also used to reduce any inflammation. Just hold an ice pack on the outside of your mouth which will generally numb the pain. Another effective technique is to eat cold foods like ice cream and drink cold water.

Oral anaesthetics

One of the most beneficial ways to soothe braces pain is using an oral anaesthetic like Orabase or Orajel which are applied directly to the teeth and gums. Ask your orthodontist which sort of oral anaesthetics is most suitable for your treatment. You can generally purchase these oral anaesthetics over-the-counter which numb your teeth and gums so you any pain is considerably reduced.

Gum massage

A quick and easy technique to soothe pain in your gums is to give them a massage. Massaging inflamed tissue is an effective way to reduce pain and discomfort. Just use one of your fingers and massage your gums in a circular motion. For the best results, apply some ice briefly to relax your swollen gums prior to massaging them.

Salt water

If your braces have inflicted any sores or ulcers in your mouth when you first begin treatment, try gurgling some salt water which lessens the irritation and tenderness. Your mouth will take some time to adapt to your metal braces, but in the meantime gurgle salt water for about one minute several times a day to relieve the pain.

Pain medication

If your braces are causing sharp pains that none of the above approaches manage to relieve, look at obtaining over-the-counter pain medication such as Panadol or Nurofen which will help reduce the pain. It's best to talk with your orthodontist first who can advise you on the correct dosages. Pain medication is only a provisional solution and not to be used repeatedly. If your pain persists for a couple of days, speak with your orthodontist as soon as possible.

Patience

The best tip to keep in mind is that the pain you experience will only be temporary and to achieve a healthy and wonderful smile, you need to be patient. Braces are usually needed for two years and in this time you need to keep focused and practise good oral health to avoid any further gum inflammation. Effectively removing plaque and food particles from your braces on a daily basis is vital to the success of your treatment.

If you need any more guidance with pain relief techniques including directions for oral anaesthetics and pain medication, consult the friendly team at Clear Smiles Orthodontics. For more details, phone their staff directly on 07 5593 3733.