Here are some tips to help you ease the discomfort:

1. Take pain relief medications

When force is applied to teeth by braces, an inflammatory response around your teeth is initiated during the first few days. It is this inflammatory response that results in the discomfort you experience. Taking pain relief medications, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, can help relief the pain in your jaws and gums. However, pain relievers are not the best solution as they can be addictive. Take pain relief medications only if you need to.

2. Cold or frozen foods/drinks

Consuming cold foods/drinks helps numb the teeth and gums, and any areas on the inner cheeks that are ulcerated from the braces. Remember to brush your teeth after any sweet treats!

3. Using orthodontic wax

Most patients will be given orthodontic wax once they started orthodontic treatment. Orthodontic wax can be applied onto areas that are poking or sticking out. It acts as a barrier between the soft tissues and the braces. Applying orthodontic wax to braces provides great relief to the discomfort caused by your braces.

4. Warm salty water rinses

Another simple and quick home remedy to relief discomfort from braces is regular warm salty water rinses. Salt is a natural curing ingredient. Simply gurgles salty water a few times a day can help ease the pain from ulcerations and swelling on your gums and inner cheeks.

5. Practice good oral hygiene

Infection in the gums can be a source of pain in the mouth. During your orthodontic treatment, it is important that you practice meticulous oral hygiene. This is because food particles can easily get caught under your braces and wires, and in between your teeth. These in turn becomes plaque on your teeth, which can cause tooth decay and gum infection.

Use a floss designed to work around braces, and brush gently around your teeth and gums with soft bristles toothbrush. Don’t forget to brush around your braces too, as food can be trapped under the braces and wires.

6. Contact your orthodontist

Some pain and discomfort is expected after you had your braces put on and after your orthodontist tightened your braces. If, however, after you have tried all home remedies and the pain persists, you may contact your orthodontist and have your braces checked. Sometimes, it is a poking wire that needs to be trimmed.

Contact Specialists in Orthodontics to organize a FREE consultation appointment with our specialist orthodontists.

The post Tips To Relief Discomfort From Braces first appeared on Specialists In Orthodontics.

Placement of Braces

Just before the orthodontist place the braces on your teeth, a cheek retractor will be placed to retract your cheek slightly away from your teeth. You may feel a slight pull on your cheek during the process. You should not feel any pain while the orthodontist is giving your teeth a rinse and dry. Same applies, when you have the braces positioned onto each individual tooth nor when the assistant applies a blue LED light to set the braces on your teeth. Once the braces are in place, the orthodontist will engage the wires to the braces. Discomfort on your teeth don’t usually start at this stage.

First Few Days After Placement of Braces

During these first few days, you teeth may start to feel uncomfortable. Not only because your teeth are starting to move and align themselves, you are probably still getting used to having braces and wires on your teeth. All these factors, may contribute to the initial discomfort that you will experience.

When force is applied to teeth by braces, an inflammatory response around your teeth is initiated during the first few days. It is this inflammatory response that results in the discomfort you experience. The degree of discomfort experienced varies between patients. Some patients describe it as ‘tightness’ on the teeth. Others reported they felt no discomfort at all. In most cases, over-the-counter pain relief medications will help ease the discomfort.

Regular Orthodontic Appointments

As the orthodontist adjusts and tightens your braces during regular review appointments, the teeth are gradually moved into proper alignment. You may feel the same discomfort on the first day or two after you had your braces adjusted. The degree of discomfort should reduce overtime as the teeth are getting more aligned, hence, less ‘tooth movement’ required.

Does Invisalign hurt? Or, Does Orthodontic Plates Hurts Less?

Just like braces, Invisalign, or any other types of orthodontic appliances, moves teeth by applying force onto your teeth. Teeth do not differentiate what appliance is being used to apply force onto them. As long as there is a force placed on teeth, and there is movement involved, the same inflammatory response will be initiated and discomfort will be felt.

Discomfort from braces should not deterred you from getting braces or any orthodontic treatment. Most of the time, your orthodontist and his/her assistants should be able to offer you helpful tips to relief discomfort from braces.

If you have more questions about getting braces or orthodontic treatment, contact our friendly team to organise a FREE CONSULT to speak with our experience orthodontist.

The post Do Braces Hurt? first appeared on Specialists In Orthodontics.