Discomfort from Braces and Appliances
When you first get your braces and after each adjustment, you may notice that your teeth and mouth feel a little tender or sore. This is perfectly normal and usually lasts 1-2 days. Here are our suggestions that will help ease any discomfort.
- Wax placed over the bracket guards against further discomfort and acts like a band-aid for your mouth. Use a large enough piece of wax to allow coverage of the whole bracket and be sure to dry the area first to allow the wax to stick.
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the best pain reliever for sore teeth. Aspirin, or Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) are fine to use for the short-term, but may actually slow tooth movement if used frequently while wearing braces. Whatever pain medication you use, please follow the manufacturer’s directions regarding dosages and warnings.
- Soft foods will be your best choice for the first few days, until your lips and teeth get used to the new braces. Some good choices are: soups, milkshakes, yogurt, scrambled eggs and pancakes.
If your teeth begin feeling a little loose, don't worry, as this is normal! Your braces must first loosen your teeth to move them into the right position. Once your teeth have been repositioned, they will no longer be loose.