Posted by whybraces

Unfortunately, everyone experiences some discomfort when wearing braces. The worst of it is usually when the braces are first fixed to the teeth and right after the monthly wire tightening appointment. Your mouth is uncomfortable because your teeth are loose and the braces cause them to be far weaker than they usually are. This is why the foods you normally eat can cause you pain when you have your braces tightened. The movement makes them extra sensitive. Thankfully there are several steps you can take to ease the discomfort you are feeling.

First, eat soft foods. For the first couple of weeks after you first get your braces put on and for a few days after each tightening, your teeth are going to be especially sensitive as they are pulled through your mouth. Eat the softest foods you can—stick to foods like soups, Jell-O, pudding, yogurt and milkshakes (because, let’s face it—you need a treat). The soft foods won’t require much chewing which keeps you from putting pressure on your teeth. You will also want to be careful of the kinds of foods you eat during this time—foods that are particularly acidic, drinks like soda and extra sugary or sticky foods should be avoided. The bad news is that by the time your braces are taken off your teeth you probably won’t ever want to eat jell-o or pudding again, but by sticking to the soft foods, you will save yourself a great deal of pain.

If your mouth is still hurting, even when you aren’t trying to chew on something, you might consider an over the counter pain killer like Ibuprofen or Tylenol. These can help to reduce the swelling in your gums. Make sure you talk to your orthodontist first to make sure it is okay. Another tip is to lie down with a heating pad. The heat can help the muscles of your face relax, which will help to ease the pain. A cold compress might also be helpful because it can reduce any surface swelling you might be experiencing.

If the pain is severe, call your dentist or orthodontist immediately and ask for an appointment. Sometimes severe pain is a sign of infection and an infection needs to be looked at by your dentist or orthodontist.

Pain, unfortunately, is a part of wearing braces, but it is almost always something you can manage without much fuss.