An Orthodontic treatment especially braces can be painful. The resulting pain and discomfort of having braces on can be difficult to adjust to. This is why you need quick and simple pain relief methods to help you handle and deal with the resultant pain of orthodontic treatment.
Here are five simple ways to relieve the resulting pain of braces.
1. Oral Anesthetics
One of the best and most simple ways for relieving braces pain is using an oral anesthetic like Orajel and Anbesol and rub it directly on the sensitive teeth and gums. For optimal results, you should apply it using a cotton swab or a clean finger. Oral aesthetics work by desensitizing your teeth so you don’t feel pain as your teeth move.
2. OTC Pain Killers
If you feel pain, another quick fix to dealing with orthodontic treatment pain is getting common over the counter medicines. The medicines should be taken at least an hour before your orthodontic appointment so that you don’t feel pain during and after the appointment. Unlike oral Anesthetics, OTC pain killers usually with come with very strict instruction on the dosage that has to be followed. Before taking the meds, be sure to read the instructions. It is also not recommended for you to take the meds regularly. You should let your orthodontist know if you feel constant pain after taking the meds for some time.
3. Ice pack
Ice is one of the oldest and most common pain relieve remedies in the world. Ice works by reducing inflammation and numbing the mouth helping you to not feel excessive pain. When you braces are feeling painful, get an icepack or make one from home and apply it directly to the outside of your mouth. At first, things will feel cold but with time, you will notice the pain fade until it completely disappears.
4. Soft foods
Your orthodontist probably gave you advice on what to and not eat. If you eat hard foods such as gum and other hard to chew food, you will feel pain on your braces. You have to avoid hard foods if you don’t want the pain to build upon your gums. Although you can eat crunchy foods, you have to avoid them after your orthodontic appointments and stick to soft foods instead. Some examples of soft foods suitable for braces are soup and cereals.
5. Good Dental Hygiene
Dental hygiene is the most important thing especially when you have your braces installed. You wouldn’t want to experience the pain of a decaying tooth whilst you have your braces on. When you eat, food particles can be stuck on the brackets and wires of the braces and this can result in discomfort in that area which makes flossing very important. After every meal, make it a habit to get rid of any food particles stuck on your gums.
Conclusions:
Braces will often be installed on your teeth for an extended period of up to a year. Adjusting to this new significant change can be tough. This makes patience very important. Of course, during the first initial days of having the braces on, you will feel pain. With time, however, the pain will begin to fade until it becomes hardly recognizable.