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Pain-relief tips to make braces more bearable
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Research shows that wearing braces can improve your oral health as well as straighten your teeth. [1] X Research source Experiencing a little pain after you get your braces on or tightened is normal, and you might experience mouth soreness or sensitivity for the next 2 to 3 days. Experts note that there are a few ways you can ease your pain using home remedies or over-the-counter products. [2] X Research source
Steps
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Try cold drinks. If your braces are bothering you, try cold drinks. Ice cold water and cold juices or soft drinks can help ease the pain of your teeth and gums. Cold liquids can cause a numbing sensation in the mouth, resulting in a reduction of inflammation and pain.
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Eat cold foods. As cold drinks can provide pain relief, you could try cold foods to see if they have a similar effect. Try drinking chilled smoothies or eating ice cream or frozen yogurt or sugar-free popsicles. You can also refrigerate fruit, veggies, and other healthy foods so they're cool when you eat them. Cold fruits, like chilled strawberries, may have some effect on strengthening the gums.
- Do not, however, bite into any frozen foods, and avoid using your front teeth. Doing so may cause cracks in your enamel, which can be difficult to repair and increase sensitivity.
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Try an ice pack. Icing sore areas can decrease inflammation, lessening pain. Applying an ice pack to the outside of your mouth may reduce pain. Remember, do not apply a store bought ice pack directly to bare skin. Wrap it in a towel or cloth before use to avoid frostbite and other complications.
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Use warm salt water rinses. A salt water rinse is an easy home remedy that help ease pain for some. It's quick and easy to use. [3] X Research source
- Mix about a half a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water. Mix until the salt is dissolved.
- Rinse your mouth with the solution for about 30 seconds and then spit it out into a sink.
- You can also rinse with chamomile tea, green tea, or ginger tea, which may have an anti-inflammatory effect. Rinse twice a day: for one minute in the morning and two minutes before going to bed.
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Stick to soft foods. Teeth tend to be very sensitive after braces are tightened or adjusted. Softer foods can help reduce pain and irritation. [4] X Research source
- Go for foods that do not require much movement of the teeth. Things like mashed potatoes, smoothies, puddings, soft fruits, and soups are good options.
- Try to avoid spicy foods and hot drinks as these can cause gum irritation.
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Take over-the-counter pain medications. Simple over-the-counter pain medications may reduce swelling, inflammation, and pain associated with new braces. Try using pain killers and see if you notice an effect.
- Ibuprofen can help reduce pain and swelling associated with new braces. Take the medication as recommended on the bottle. Avoid alcohol when taking pain medications.
- If you're on any existing prescription medication, it is important to talk to a pharmacist to make sure over-the-counter meds will not interact poorly with whatever medication you're taking.
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Use dental products designed to relieve pain. Ask your orthodontist about special gels and medicines designed to reduce pain. There are many dental products that can ease the transition into new or tightened braces. [5] X Research source
- Several rinses and gels have medications in them that help ease pain. Follow all instructions when taking these medications. Ask your dentist if you have any questions about the medications.
- Bite wafers are products shaped to fit your teeth. You bite down on these products for a set period of time, which encourages an increase in blood circulation that results in less pain. Chewing gum can also help reduce pain. [6] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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Try barrier products. Barrier products are designed to provide some separation between your braces, teeth, and gums. This can help prevent irritation that causes pain and soreness. [7] X Research source
- Dental wax is one of the most common and easy to use barrier products. Your dentist will give you a container of wax and you simply break off a piece and rub it on the areas that are sore. Make sure you take dental wax off before brushing your teeth as dental wax can get stuck in your toothbrush.
- There are also barrier products that are somewhat similar to whitening strips, known as comfort strips. You place a strip over your teeth and it forms a protective barrier between your braces, teeth, and gums. Ask your dentist about using comfort strips when you get your braces put in place.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat helps with braces pain at home?Jeremy Silverman is a Dentist and Founder of Peace of Mind Dental Studio in Chandler, Arizona. With a decade of professional dental experience, he focuses his practice on incorporating mental well-being into the core of oral care. He also partakes in continuing education and stays up to date with the newest techniques, technology, and products. Dr. Silverman holds a BA in Psychobiology from the University of California at Los Angeles and a DMD from Midwestern University. He is a member of the American Dental Association, Arizona Dental Association, and Central Arizona Dental Society. Dr. Silverman is also Laser Certified by the World Clinical Laser Institute.If ice packs and pain-relief medication don't work, topical oral anesthetics, such as Anbesol or Orajel, can provide some relief when rubbed on the more painful areas.
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QuestionWhy do they hurt so bad after you get them tightened?Dr. Macau is a Doctor of Dental Surgery based in London, England. Dr. Macau is an oral surgeon, periodontist, and aesthetician at Favero Dental Clinic where he is known for his cosmetic dentistry and facial aesthetics work. He is actively involved in scientific research in the field of dentistry and he received his DDS from Carol Davila University of Medicine in 2015.The main metal wire applied to your brackets delivers an intense force which spreads to every single tooth connected in the chain. The pressure caused by the force is distributed to the entire vascular and nervous system of your teeth creating a response which is transformed into a pain sensation in a particular area of your brain.
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QuestionI feel like my teeth at more sensitive than usual. I tried ice cream and my teeth were freezing. Do you know why?Dr. Macau is a Doctor of Dental Surgery based in London, England. Dr. Macau is an oral surgeon, periodontist, and aesthetician at Favero Dental Clinic where he is known for his cosmetic dentistry and facial aesthetics work. He is actively involved in scientific research in the field of dentistry and he received his DDS from Carol Davila University of Medicine in 2015.When teeth move through the bone and rearrange in order to reach the correct position, inflammation of the tissue surrounding them produces an increased sensitivity. The entire system represented by ligaments, nerves and vessels is inflamed and obviously more sensitive than before so reacts faster to external stimuli such as cold.
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Tips
- Be patient. Even with proper treatment, it can still take a few weeks for new braces to stop hurting.Thanks
- Try eating soft foods but try a more solid food each day until you are eating normally again. Try not to take pain killers, so that you can see if you can eat that food comfortably.Thanks
- Never eat hard foods like nuts and chips.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Clove oil is amazing for pain with new or tightened braces, and you can buy it at a supermarket or specialty store. Apply the oil with cotton bud to the tooth that hurts to numb the pain.
- The second day is usually the toughest, so make sure you do something to get your mind off of the pain. I like to longboard around my town for hours or watch a movie.
- When you sleep, try not to sleep in one position because it may put extra pressure on your gums.
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References
- ↑ https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(14)62340-0/pdf
- ↑ https://aaoinfo.org/whats-trending/handling-orthodontic-issues-at-home/
- ↑ https://orthodonticsaustralia.org.au/why-do-your-braces-hurt/
- ↑ https://orthodonticsaustralia.org.au/why-do-your-braces-hurt/
- ↑ https://academic.oup.com/ejo/article/29/2/170/522873?login=false
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22284284
- ↑ https://aaoinfo.org/whats-trending/handling-orthodontic-issues-at-home/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To take away the pain of new or tightened braces, try drinking a cold, iced beverage, like water or juice, which can numb your mouth and reduce swelling. You can also mix 1/2 teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water and then rinse your mouth with it to ease the pain. Or, you can apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth or towel to the areas that are hurting to reduce the inflammation and pain. For more advice from our Dentist co-author, like how to use over-the-counter products to ease pain caused by braces, scroll down!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I found this website to be very useful and easy to use. I had been in so much pain the night before, I found it difficult to go to sleep. After finding this website, I was able to follow the instructions and drank a cold cup of water, which helped sooth the pain. Thank you guys so much!" ..." more
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"I found this website to be very useful and easy to use. I had been in so much pain the night before, I found it difficult to go to sleep. After finding this website, I was able to follow the instructions and drank a cold cup of water, which helped sooth the pain. Thank you guys so much!"
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"I am very glad I found this website as I have had my braces tightened and it is very painful. Since I found wikiHow, I have been able to prevent the uncomfortable feeling of the braces and a lot of other things I wouldn't find on any other website! Thank you very much!"
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"I've been having major pains. After trying all these tips, the pain has subsided. In my opinion, the best trick is applying cold pressure to where it hurts the most (in my case, it was the right side of my mouth)."
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"This website told me what my orthodontist told me, and even more. I am getting my braces tightened today, and this is what I am going to do to ease pain. Thanks for your time! I love the website's information."
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"I got my braces yesterday. They hurt so much, I feel like I want to rip them out. Thanks to your article, I know that this is normal and I will feel okay later. Thank you for the information."
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