Congratulations on your journey to straighter teeth, correcting your bite and improving your dental health! However with your new dental appliance, adjustments will be made. First off, particularly just after you have your braces fitted an odd feeling of having something in your mouth that you cannot remove. Soreness may set in on the second and third day when the braces are beginning to modify to correct your bite. Most likely, by the third day your braces will now be a part of you. They just take a little bit of getting used to.
Here are a few tips to help you through your first days after braces:
Eat soft foods for the first few days – Soft foods are your best nutrition for the first few days after getting your braces. In order to satisfy your stomach eat foods that do not cause much friction in your mouth – mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, soup, scrambled eggs, ice cream and yogurt, among others. These foods are easy on your mouth and do not put much pressure on your teeth to eat.
Use warm saltwater rinse, as needed – A proven and tested solution to ease soreness in the mouth is to rinse it with saltwater. The saturated saline solutions relieve the swelling in the mouth. It also reduces inflammation and holds bacteria at bay to improve your dental health. A good proportion for the solution is to mix 1 tsp of salt to a cup of warm water.
Take Tylenol or Ibuprofen – Taking the recommended dosage of over-the-counter pain relievers, such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen, can further ease the pain can also be helpful.
Put wax over any problem areas – It’s not just your teeth that will be adjusting with your braces. Your cheeks and tongue, as well, as these will rub against the braces. In such cases, sore spots may develop in your mouth. These can be relieved with the orthodontic wax what is provided in your braces kit provided by your orthodontist. Apply the wax generously for comfort by squashing it between your fingers and firmly press to the brackets. Avoid stroking your sores with your tongue or even fingers because it will hurt more.
With the above, these should get you by for the first few days after your braces. However, when pain persists, do not hesitate to consult us for additional advice.