Today’s braces are more comfortable than ever before! At Saxe Orthodontics, we stay up-to-date, using the most advanced treatments and technologies to ensure a comfortable and efficient treatment experience. (We offer traditional braces and advanced self-ligating braces for our patients.)
Braces aren’t painful by any means, but as with any orthodontic treatment, they can cause some minor discomfort at the beginning of your treatment.
Fortunately, there are a number of precautions you can take to minimize soreness and reduce discomfort at any point in your treatment process! We’re here to help you make the most out of your treatment experience with 5 tips to make braces more comfortable – otherwise known as braces pain hacks.
Tip #1: Use Orthodontic Wax for Braces
During the first week or two of orthodontic treatment, you may feel some tenderness around your cheeks or gums. Orthodontic wax comes in very handy in these cases! Simply place some wax over any brackets or at the ends of any archwires to create a protective barrier between your braces and mouth.
Ortho wax is made of a soft material (paraffin, beeswax, or carnauba wax) that can be molded easily over brackets, wires, and on certain appliances. OrthoDots® are similar to orthodontic wax—except they’re in ‘dot’ form. OrthoDots CLEAR are individual silicone dots, made of a non-toxic material. These dots can be used with any appliance and can even be worn while you eat and drink.
Ortho wax and OrthoDots can be used at any point in your treatment for some added cushion.
Tip #2: Commit to Your Oral Hygiene
Practicing good oral hygiene is the first line of defense against discomfort. Keeping your braces clean is crucial to prevent bacteria growth. Food buildup around the brackets leads to bacteria growth, which can cause cavities or tooth decay—and these conditions definitely don’t feel good. They can certainly make braces less comfortable.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing your teeth at least twice a day for 2 minutes each time. (To achieve better results, try using a fluoride toothpaste!)
Take your time while you’re brushing, and be sure to clean the front surfaces of your teeth, the back surfaces, and the chewing surfaces. Try to spend 10 seconds brushing each tooth.
Flossing is another essential component of your oral care. Use an interdental brush, Waterpik, or floss threader to finish off your oral hygiene routine. Healthy, clean teeth are happy teeth!
Tip #3: Try a Lip Protectant for Braces
The lip protector is another efficient way to protect your gums and cheeks. A lip protector is essentially a clear tube that shields your brackets and wires. It appears like one long ortho dot, spanning across all brackets and wires. A lip protector can be snapped securely into place, over your brackets, for a comfortable fit.
Tip #4: Gargle a Salt Water Rinse
Salt water is an excellent, natural treatment method that can alleviate soreness. If your mouth is sore, try out the following steps for relief.
- Mix 1 teaspoon of salt with a ½ cup of lukewarm water.
- Gargle this mix by swishing it around either side of your cheeks for about 30 seconds.
- Spit out the solution.
- Repeat this treatment as often as you need!
Tip #5: Eat a Braces-Friendly Diet
Following a braces-friendly diet can help to minimize discomfort and prevent damage to your brackets and wires.
It’s best to avoid foods that are especially sticky or chewy, because they can pull a bracket off or dislodge a wire. For foods that require you to bite into them, like apples or corn on the cob, try cutting them into smaller pieces.
Biting into hard, sticky or chewy foods can not only damage your braces, but cause tooth pain too. (And tooth pain is the last thing you need when you’re trying to minimize discomfort.)
What can I expect with braces pain?
Before getting braces, some people wonder, “how much do braces hurt on a scale of 1 to 10”? These words, “hurt” and “pain”, are misleading when it comes to braces treatment. Everyone perceives discomfort differently, and treatment should never be painful.
What someone may consider a 1 or 2 on the scale of discomfort, another person may consider a 4 or 5. It all depends on your experience!
You should not feel considerable pain at any point in your orthodontic treatment. While it’s normal to experience some very minor braces pain in the first week, this should subside quickly.
If you feel an intense pain that seems concerning, it’s important that you contact our office immediately. Some of these warning signs may include:
- Only one tooth hurts with braces and it is sudden or sharp
- Pain on a spot of your gums
- Bleeding
- Pain that lasts more than five days after tightening
- Extreme sensitivity to hot or cold foods
- Braces hurt too badly to sleep
These are considered extraordinary situations and may require further attention.
Come and learn more about braces treatment!
We don’t want the fear of braces pain to stop you from experiencing the smile of your dreams, especially when it’s a lot more manageable than you may think! Talk to some friends or family members who have worn braces and ask about their experience.
When you visit us for your complimentary consultation, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about treatment. We’ve got tips and tricks to help you undergo a life-changing transformation with a pleasant process.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions. Ready to get started? Request your first visit today.
