There’s really no way around it: braces just aren’t that comfortable. Sometimes, they can really hurt! We want to arm you with as many tools as possible to address your braces pain and discomfort, so you can have a relatively smooth ride toward straighter teeth.
Change your toothpaste! Try out a toothpaste designed especially for sensitive teeth. Even if your teeth aren’t normally sensitive, they may begin to feel sensitive after you get your braces.
Brush your teeth gently! While we’re talking about brushing, let’s talk about how you’re brushing your teeth. You may really want to consider your tooth brushing technique now that you have braces. Go at it slowly and gently. You don’t want to hurt your braces or your mouth. Take your time!
Address your discomfort naturally! You may want to run to the medicine cabinet every time you feel braces pain, but you don’t need to! You can use household items to soothe your mouth, and save the painkillers for later.
Dissolve salt in warm water and swish it around in your mouth. This will soothe your gums without medication. It’s also a great way to bring comfort to a sore throat!
Suck on ice! The cold from ice or other frozen foods numbs your mouth and eases pain. If you’re going to be dealing with the discomfort of braces, you may as well get a few milkshakes out of it!
Be mindful of what you eat! Put the hard, crunchy food back in the fridge. Stick to soft foods that don’t require much chewing, if any. Mashed potatoes and thoroughly steamed carrots, while not particularly exciting, are your friends. Learn how to use a blender—you don’t have to chew smoothies!
Prevent Infections! Keeping your mouth as healthy as possible also prevents unnecessary pain and discomfort. Rinse with mouthwash to kill bacteria that are just looking for a place to call home. If your mouth doesn’t grow infections, you won’t feel that extra pain!
Use Wax! Purchase dental wax to protect sensitive areas of your mouth from being poked by your braces. Applying a ball of wax to your brackets provides a smooth, protective barrier between the metal and your mouth. This method is especially helpful at night, when you’re less aware of how you’re moving your teeth around.
Take Oral Painkillers Once you’ve sucked on ice and applied wax, you can always take over the counter painkillers. If you’re a kid, ask your parent to help you with this, of course.
Distract yourself!! It can really help for you to distract yourself from the discomfort. Watch your favorite TV show or play your favorite game. Take your bike for a ride around your neighborhood or cozy up with a good book.
Sometimes, the best thing to do is to not lose hope! Remember why you have braces. Look forward to the day your braces come off! You can do this!!