Though you may dread having them tightened, the final result of braces will be worth it.
It is common to have some getting braces put on or adjusted. No matter how much dental work your mouth requires, braces in any form will cause some temporary pain because they are putting pressure on your teeth. Fortunately, orthodontists are there to help---if none of the common pain remedies relieve pain after a few days, seek the help of your orthodontist to see if there's something seriously wrong with your braces.
Instructions
1. Identify the problem. If the braces are broken or loose or have a wire poking out or some other physical malfunction, see your orthodontist to get it fixed.
2. Place a bit of soft wax over the broken brace or loose wire to alleviate gum pain until can fix the problem.
3. Take a pain reliever (typically what you would use for a headache) if the pain is due to a recent tightening of the braces. Pain after tightening usually lasts between 24 and 72 hours.
4. Eat soft foods. The more carefully you eat, the less pressure you inflict on your sensitive mouth.
5. Use cold drinks or foods (like ice cream) to temporarily numb the pain in your mouth.
6. Place a bit of cotton or wax over your braces if they are rubbing the inside of your cheeks. It is normal to get small sores when you first have braces installed, but within a week, your mouth should develop calluses and heal.
Tags: your mouth, your orthodontist, pain after, your braces