How To Deal With Pain And Injury From Braces
The path to a straight-toothed smile can be long and a little painful; you should expect some soreness in your mouth, especially after your braces are tightened, and maybe even a little poking from the wires. Unfortunately your orthodontist can't make the process pain-free, but you can try a number of remedies at home to keep the pain down and stop any sharp ends from causing any damage.Most pain should only be minor, so if your mouth is bleeding severely or you are feeling serious pain, your orthodontist needs to know ASAP.
Cut Cheeks and Lips
A few small cuts after your braces are tightened or a new appliance is added to your mouth are common, and often to be expected. It can be uncomfortable for a few days, but the tissue in your mouth soon adapts, and the wires or braces will no longer cause pain or bleeding. In the meantime, you can use a variety of materials to soften the edge. Dental wax is always a good option, but you can also use sticky rice, sugar-free gum and even small bits of orange peel. Place the material over the sharp edge and leave it there until any wounds heal.
Of course, if you already have injuries in your mouth, they'll still hurt. Painkillers can alleviate the problem, but don't rely just on those as overuse can make you sick. Instead, swish a warm saltwater mix in your mouth multiple times a day or pick up some Hierba Buena from your grocery store and place it in your mouth.
Soreness From Tightening
Your teeth will likely be sore every time your braces are tightened, and this is unfortunately a normal part of the process. It will go away after a few days, but to make the first few days more manageable, changing your diet can help plenty. Consume more soups instead of hard foods so you don't have to chew, and also try to eat more cold foods. The cold soothes the pain, but there's an extra benefit: heat tightens your braces while cold makes them ever-so-slightly looser, which can reduce the pain as you get used to them.
You can also use gels for parts of your mouth that are particularly sore. They don't taste great, but they help ease the pain until your mouth heals.
Serious Cuts and Pain
Occasionally you may have a bit of wire sticking out of the back of your braces that's a little too long. This can happen when the wire isn't clipped properly. You may also have a bracket come loose and cut your mouth. If this happens you can dull the sharp points with wax, but you also need to let your orthodontist, one like Oasis Orthodontics, know immediately. Don't try to cut the wire or reconnect the bracket yourself, as this could cause damage or more pain.