Pain Relief For Braces: 8 Tips for Your First Week

So, you’ve taken the step and gotten some braces. You are now on your way to a straighter smile, with no more pesky problems like overbites, underbites, and overcrowding—well done! Getting braces can be a challenging but essential decision. It is a commitment that sometimes requires you to make some changes and can also cause some discomfort.

Fixed Metal Braces

Fixed metal braces are an orthodontic treatment used to correct the alignment of a person’s teeth. These braces use brackets attached to your teeth, with wires running through them that are adjusted periodically to help them move into their optimal alignment.

Generally, after the dentist installs your braces, they will provide you with instructions on how to care for both your braces and teeth. However, for some people, the discomfort from the braces can be painful and difficult to manage. No need to worry, though. We have some valuable tips and tricks to help you through it all!

8 Tips for Pain and Discomfort

The first week after getting your braces, as can the first few days after an adjustment, can be rough, so you must have some tricks up your sleeves to help you through it!

• Salt Water: Adding a bit of salt to some warm water and using it as a wash can do wonders for your soreness and discomfort. Try this after your braces are installed, and it should provide you with some much-needed relief.
• Soft Foods and Liquids: Initially, your fixed metal braces will sometimes be uncomfortable and painful. Limiting yourself to liquids and soft foods that don’t require much chewing is a good idea. It will prevent foods from sticking to your braces and put less strain on your sensitive teeth. After the first week, the sensitivity and discomfort will begin to reduce, so this is not a long-term necessity. Ice cream is also a great way to alleviate pain, and it’s yummy and effective. Just remember to rinse after.
• Cold Water and Ice Packs: Drinking cold water can help relieve some of the pain and swelling you may initially experience. Ice packs can also provide some relief because the cold has a numbing effect that can mask the pain.
• Gum Massages: An orthodontist recommends massaging your gums with gentle pressure to relieve pain. To get the most out of it, apply an ice pack before starting.
• Over-the-Counter Pain Medication: Over-the-counter medications can provide immediate relief from pain and discomfort. Choosing a drug such as ibuprofen can help alleviate inflammation, thereby easing your pain.
• Orthodontic Wax: Orthodontic wax can be used on the fixtures of your braces to prevent them from injuring your cheeks and gums, which could further exacerbate your pain. Your orthodontist will likely recommend a wax you can use at your appointment.
• Oral Anaesthetic Creams or Gels: Oral anaesthetic creams and gels, similar to baby teething gels, are available over-the-counter. They can be used to numb your mouth, teeth, and gums, relieving pain.
• Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: It is essential to continue with a regular oral health regimen. Even when your mouth is sore, you should continue to brush and rinse it. Using a bristled brush can help with sensitivity. Food stuck in braces can lead to tooth decay and gum disease; therefore, regular check-ups are also recommended.

Things to Avoid

In addition to things you can do, there are a few things you can try not to do that may help you on your fixed metal brace journey.

Some may be common sense or things your orthodontist has already advised.

• Avoiding chewy and hard foods when you have braces is a good idea. Hard foods can damage the brackets and wires, requiring a trip to the dentist to fix them. Similarly, chewy foods tend to stick to surfaces and lodge themselves in difficult-to-reach places. It is a struggle for everyone, but when it comes to metal braces, there are many more hidden areas, and brushing is also a lot trickier, so it is best to avoid these.
• Oral health is always important, and dentists constantly stress to patients the importance of reducing sugar consumption. Eating a healthy diet with minimal sugar intake can do wonders. Tooth decay can occur much more quickly when you have braces, especially if your hygiene is not up to par.
• Avoid snacking. If you are constantly snacking, you may experience more pain, especially in the beginning. Sticking to meal times is a good way to prevent pain.
• Drinking lots of water will help dislodge food particles that contribute to or trigger pain in your teeth and gums. Increased sensitivity due to braces can mean that many things can trigger pain, so it is essential to limit potential triggers.

Orthodontic treatments require patience. Once you have overcome the hard parts, you will start to see the changes your fixed metal braces are making, and in the end, you will have a smile that you love.

It is essential to remember that the pain does not last, and by utilising these tips, you can anticipate and manage it as needed.

If you haven’t yet gotten braces but are considering it, then looking at all the pros and cons is a good idea. Clear aligners are more effective for individuals who are highly sensitive to pain or have a low pain tolerance. While metal braces are not overly painful, discomfort is a common side effect. Clear aligners such as Invisalign are a good alternative. Removable clear aligners require a bigger commitment, as it will be up to you to remember to put them back in after removing them.

Fixed metal braces do not require any special care, except to keep them clean. Every day, the dental industry works to improve treatments and make them as pain-free and comfortable as possible.

Curious to know if fixed metal braces are the key to your perfect smile? Our expert team at Enhance Smiles is here to answer all your questions. Book your no-obligation appointment today!