How to Manage Pain From Braces
Braces are a great way to improve your smile, but they can come with some uncomfortable side effects. As the braces put pressure on your teeth and gums, you may experience pain, discomfort, and even difficulty eating. Learning how to manage this pain is an important part of the process.
When You First Get Braces
Managing pain with new braces can be a daunting task, especially when you're dealing with the pressure of the wires and brackets causing discomfort. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to make sure you get through the process as comfortably as possible.
One way to manage pain is to use over-the-counter pain medications. Be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging and only use an instruction. You can take pain medication such as Advil or Tylenol every 4-6 hours for the first two or three days. You can return to your regular work or school activities on the same day. You will need to get used to eating and speaking with your braces, so the first few days, these activities may be challenging as you adjust.
You can also try using a cold compress or an oral numbing gel to reduce pain and inflammation. Additionally, soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, applesauce, and canned fruits can help limit discomfort while getting used to your new braces for the first few days. Around day two or three, you will notice that the discomfort lessens throughout the day.
You can expect to be used to speaking and eating with your braces by this stage. You should be able to resume your regular diet at this point, avoiding hard or sticky foods that could cause damage to your braces. You shouldn't be experiencing discomfort to the point of needing pain medication at this stage. If something is still causing pain or doesn't seem to be right, be sure to contact our office as soon as possible for an appointment.
To remain comfortable in between visits to our office, you can use wax or other comfort products to cushion your gums, lips, and cheeks from irritation caused by the wires and brackets. If you have an area that is constantly rubbing or poking you over the first few weeks, be sure to make an appointment so we can examine your braces and see if something needs to be adjusted. If your child needs braces, consider walking them through the process and making sure they are prepared.
Sleeping with Braces
If you or your child have recently been fitted with braces, there are a variety of ways you need to adjust your daily life, from the food you eat to the way you sleep, to ensure you are comfortable and that your treatment says on track.
When it comes to sleeping with braces, there are a few things you can do to ensure that your orthodontic treatment is both comfortable and effective. At Severns Orthodontics, we've put together a
Don't Skip Your Oral Care Routine
To begin with, keep up with your oral hygiene. Be sure to clean your gums, between each tooth, and in the spaces between your teeth and the braces before going to sleep each night. This will help prevent issues such as yellow teeth, bad breath, inflamed gums, and more from developing.
Adjust Your Sleeping Position
Additionally, it is important to adjust your sleeping position so that the wires and brackets of your braces do not irritate your cheeks or other sensitive areas in your mouth. It is typically recommended that you try sleeping on your back to prevent pressure between your mouth and your braces while you're sleeping. You can sleep on your side, but you may experience minor soreness and an imprint from your brackets on the inside of your cheek, both of which will subside quickly.
Wear Your Nightguard or Mouthguard
If you are prone to grinding your teeth at night, be sure to always wear your nightguard or mouthguard while sleeping. Without it, you may bite down too hard on a bracket or white which can cause you soreness and discomfort in the morning. If you are unsure of which will work best for you, be sure to consult with your orthodontist.
Use Dental Wax Before bed
Finally, if you’re still feeling discomfort, talk to your orthodontist about getting wax for the uncomfortable areas on your braces. You can take a small amount of wax and apply it to your brackets or wires that cause irritation to your cheeks. This will help provide a smoother surface that won’t cut or irritate tender tissues in your mouth while you sleep. Don't worry about swallowing the wax while you sleep since most brands use non-toxic and natural substances such as beeswax.
Tips for Easing Pain with Braces
Those who wear braces can experience mild pain or discomfort after an orthodontist places or adjusts their wires or braces. Within four days, any discomfort should dissipate. You can expect braces pain to subside within a week.
Why Do My Braces Hurt?
The most common cause of braces pain is the pressure that your orthodontist places on your teeth to move them into their correct position. Braces hurt because they are designed to gradually adjust your teeth, and as a result, you may experience tenderness in the area surrounding the braces.
I Had Rubber Bands Placed. Why do They Hurt?
Rubber bands are used to help move your teeth into the correct position. They can cause a bit of discomfort, but the pain should be minor.
Ways to Ease Irritation
Try using wax on any areas that are rubbing against the inside of your mouth. This helps create a cushion between the braces and your soft tissues.
Take a break from difficult or sticky foods, as they can cause additional discomfort when trying to eat with braces. Soft foods like mashed potatoes, applesauce, or yogurt are much easier for you to consume while still providing nutrition.
Use an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help manage any soreness from the braces. Be sure to only take as directed on the bottle instructions.
If your lips, cheeks, or gums start to get irritated from the braces, you can use a dental wax stick or over-the-counter product like Orajel to provide relief.
Make sure to brush your teeth after every meal and floss at least once a day. Doing this will help reduce the risk of getting food stuck in between your braces, which can cause pain and increase your risk of cavities.
Visit your orthodontist regularly so they can make adjustments to the braces if necessary. This can help keep your treatment on track and make the process of getting used to the braces much easier.
Braces for Teens and Adults in McMurray
Following these tips for easing pain with braces can help decrease discomfort and ensure that your orthodontic treatment is successful. The more comfortable you are throughout your treatment, the better! If at any point you experience severe pain or have any other concerns, make sure to contact your orthodontist right away.
At Severns Dentistry & Orthodontics, we offer orthodontic services for both teens and adults to help you achieve a healthy smile!
Author:
Natalie Severns, DMD
Upon graduating from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Severns specialized in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. She then did an externship in London, England, at the prestigious Guy’s Hospital. At this hospital, she learned top therapies in Dentofacial Orthopedics to provide her patients with the best possible facial esthetics.
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