While braces result in a dazzling smile, they can be painful. The end result is definitely worth the temporary pain, but in the moment, everyone craves pain relief. Fortunately, there are ways to control and minimize this pain – we've broken down the causes of pain and ways to control it below.
Why Braces Cause Pain
Braces are something new, and like other things, they will take time to get used to. Since braces are moving your teeth, they're bound to be a little painful. However, you can rest assured knowing that this pain is temporary, and usually occurs when you first get braces and when they are tightened. Braces can also be painful because they're rubbing against soft tissue. However, this too will reduce over time as your mouth adjusts.
How To Relieve Pain Caused By Braces
From natural methods to medication, here are some ways you can control pain caused by braces.
Medication & Anesthetics
Two ways to directly lessen pain are over-the-counter painkillers and oral anesthetics. Taking painkillers like Advil before the appointment can lessen pain both, during and after the appointment. Another option is rubbing an oral anesthetic on the painful areas to numb them.
Soft Food
Make sure to eat soft food following dental appointments – mashed potatoes, soup, bananas, yogurt, and pasta are good examples of this. In addition to this, avoid crunchy food and food that's hard to chew for the time being. Don't counteract this by brushing aggressively – make sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush so that you can avoid further pain.
Rinses & Cold Food
Warm saltwater rinses are recommended because they help with inflammation while also helping with potential infections. Using an icepack is one of the ways that you can deal with the pain caused by braces. Cold food works in the same way and many patients opt for ice cream or smoothies for pain relief.
At Oak Park Dental, Dan O'Leary DDS and Carl Stubblefield DMD, and Paul Brannen DMD make sure that you're equipped with all the right tools and information to minimize pain caused by braces, from clear directions to orthodontic wax. Call us at (971) 600-0211 to learn more or to make an appointment.
While braces result in a dazzling smile, they can be painful. The end result is definitely worth the temporary pain, but in the moment, everyone craves pain relief. Fortunately, there are ways to control and minimize this pain – we've broken down the causes of pain and ways to control it below.