Recommendations for Reducing the Pain Associated with Braces

Your oral health is of great importance. Your smile, in specific, is one of the first things others notice about you! Taking care of it should be carefully and regularly done. After receiving braces treatment near you, you should be enlightened on specific tips to help you maintain the health of your mouth with orthodontics.

Do you wear braces and regularly experience pain? You certainly will have come to the end of your pain by trying out the tips outlined below:

Ice pack and cold food

According to research, over the years, cold temperatures have been considered to be very helpful in reducing inflammation and temporarily causing numbness to any applied area. Once you feel the pain, just grab an ice pack and simply apply it to the outside of your mouth for relief. You should not chew or suck the ice; it can cause damage to your braces. Consuming cold foods like ice-cream or smoothies can also soothe discomfort.

Oral anesthetics

Braces in Kissimmee can be painful when your dentist adjusts your wires. Using anesthetics helps numb the parts of your mouth causing you pain.

Over-the-counter pain medicine

Like oral anesthetics, over-the-counter pain medicines are also a great way of relieving yourself of pain experienced from braces. If you are someone who experiences discomfort after an orthodontic appointment at a dental clinic near you, taking medication before the appointment is the right solution. The most common ones are Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen.

Soft food

The first few days after you have obtained new braces, you need to resort to eating softer foods. Newly installed braces are tightened, making your teeth sensitive. Ensure you consume soft foods like smoothies, yogurt, soup, bananas, applesauce, eggs, pasta, and probably soft (mashed) potatoes. Having softer food reduces the stress on your teeth, which results in the reduction of swelling and pain.

Orthodontic wax

Metal braces tend to create irritation of the inner cheeks and lips. Using orthodontic wax helps reduce such irritation. It is straightforward to use. After a complete session at a dental clinic in Kissimmee, you will be provided orthodontic wax that is to be applied on the metal part of the braces or between the braces and the tender part of your mouth to protect the braces from scratching or irritating your mouth. It is non-toxic, so you do not need to be afraid if you mistakenly swallow a bit. Be sure you remove the wax before brushing your teeth and remember to apply it again after brushing.

Gum massage

A gum massage is an excellent manual way of relieving pain caused by braces. Gently rubbing your hand in a circular pattern on the affected area has been studied to be therapeutic as it relaxes the tissues in that area, relieving you of the pain. To make it more effective, you can gently rub a block of ice against your gum before massaging it with your hand.

Maintain good dental hygiene

The best preventive measure is always maintaining good oral hygiene. When you wear braces, you have to be extra careful and hygienic, because food particles can easily get stuck between your braces and the wires. You need to keep both your teeth and the braces as clean as possible to avert other problems. After brushing, make sure you use clean dental floss to clean in between your teeth. Be sure to ask your dentist about more ways to alleviate the discomfort of braces when you visit your dental clinic next.