Anyone who has braces knows that it’s not all fun and games. The process of getting your teeth nice and straight comes with the discomfort of having braces. There are a few reasons why braces hurt such as getting ulcers from the brackets and wires, and also the pain of your teeth shifting into their new positions. I’m sure you’ve been told that it will all be worth it at the end, which it will be. But in the meantime, what can you do about braces pain?
New Braces Pain?
Getting braces for the first time and choosing a color is very exciting. But that initial excitement can soon fade when your braces start to hurt. The mouth is a very sensitive part of the body and even the smallest of changes can be very uncomfortable. So it’s no wonder having all these new brackets and wires in your mouth can hurt.
The pain can come from your cheeks and lips rubbing against your braces or can be from your teeth moving. This discomfort is a sign that your teeth have started to shift and realign. The pain is caused by your teeth moving in your jaws to their new position.
It can take a few weeks to get used to your new braces and for them to become less noticeable and painful. It can take time to learn how to talk and eat with your new braces. You may need to avoid hard foods for the first few days until the pain has lessened. It may be easier for you to stick to a soft diet for a while. Eating soft foods such as pasta, yogurt, soup, and mashed potatoes can help until the pain has eased.
What To Take For Braces Pain And What Else To Do About The Discomfort
Over the counter pain medication can help alleviate some of the pain following an orthodontic appointment. Usually whatever you normally take for a headache can help with braces pain. Rinsing with warm salt water can help heal any wounds on your gums, lips, or cheeks. Rinsing three times a day should also help you to heal up better. Your orthodontist may have given you some wax for your braces. Use this on any areas which are irritating you until it has healed. Wax can also be purchased from pharmacies.
In summary, these are the things you can do about braces pain:
- Take over the counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol
- Apply wax to the areas which are irritating
- Rinse with warm salt water three times a day
- Eat a soft diet, especially if your braces are new or you’ve just had an adjustment.