While modern braces are exceptionally effective at straightening one’s teeth and improving their oral health, they do often produce discomfort when first fitted and during follow-up appointments for tightening. For many, this discomfort is bearable and will go away within a few days, but other patients may need to consider these simple tips to remedy the pain caused by these dental appliances.
Eat Cold Foods 1 to 2 Times a Day
While most patients will want to avoid having multiple scoops of ice cream every day, eating cold foods is a great way to reduce inflammation and numb the pain. In those first few days after having the braces put in place or tightened, patients should keep colder foods and drinks that they like on-hand. Some of the best options include fruit sorbets, yogurt, and cottage cheese.
Skip Solid and Sticky Foods
Braces are more and more almost every year due to just how effective they are, but their effectiveness and comfort can be harmed by the foods that a patient eats. Anyone with traditional braces should steer clear of sticky foods at all costs, especially options such as candy. Not only will hard foods require much more work from the jaw, they could also loosen the adhesive that is used to hold the braces in place or bend the metal bands.
Rinse with Salt Water
A simple saline solution is one of the best ways to quickly relieve oral pain. Patients simply need to mix a teaspoon of table salt into a glass of warm water and then gargle with it for 30 seconds to a minute. As an added bonus, Mar Orthodontics, an orthodontist in St. Albert suggest using a saline solution to prevent infections for any cuts or lacerations that may take place from the braces.
Heating and Massaging
Braces work by applying pressure to teeth that are not in the correct position and slowly pulling them where they should be. While highly effective, this does put quite a bit of strain on one’s jaw and their gums. One of the best ways to lessen the pain is to rub alongside one’s jaw in a circular motion and then apply a heating bad. When done in tandem, this will help improve blood flow to the area while relaxing any overworked muscles.
When braces are freshly installed, most patients will only feel discomfort for a few days. If anyone experiences sharp pain, bleeding, or pain for longer than a week, they should contact their orthodontist immediately.
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