How to Deal With Discomfort When You First Get Your Braces

If you’re just getting started with wearing braces, you’ve probably heard plenty of things about discomfort associated with orthodontics. Despite what you may have heard, the vast majority of the time that you’ll be wearing braces will be easy and comfortable.

However, there’s usually a week or so when you can expect your teeth to be a little bit tender. This is natural, and you should feel just fine once you’ve gotten used to it. In the meantime, however, here are a few things you can do to make things easier.

1. Keep Orthodontic Wax Handy

While your mouth will eventually get used to brackets, there may be a few sore spots when you first start wearing your braces. This is why orthodontic wax is important—you can ball it up and place it on an area of your braces that’s bothering you, protecting the softer areas in your mouth.

Using it effectively may prove a little bit tricky at first, but this will also become easier with a little bit of time and practice.

Try a Saltwater Rinse

If your mouth is really irritated, you may be interested in using a saltwater rinse to bring down any swelling.

Mix half a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water and swish with it for around thirty seconds. The taste may not be pleasant, but you’ll likely feel a little bit better afterward. Just be sure to brush afterward, as leaving salt on your teeth for long periods of time isn’t ideal.

Rely on Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

If the above two tips don’t solve your issue completely, you should be able to make yourself comfortable with over-the-counter pain relievers. Taken as directed, they’re usually plenty to handle the residual discomfort you may be facing before your teeth get used to moving.

About Our Practice

When people visit us here at Dental Excellence Melbourne, we find that they don’t feel like they’re walking into a typical dental office. Instead, they often tell us that they feel like they’re walking into the home of a friend who happens to be a dental expert. That’s not just because of how our office looks—everyone here cares deeply about both your health and your happiness as a person.

If you have any questions about braces, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (321) 255-0199.