Are you new to wearing braces and not used to how they feel? This can cause you to look for a solution to handle the discomfort. Here are some tips for dealing with that discomfort on your own.

Use Dental Wax

Those first few days of wearing braces are going to cause some discomfort on the inside of your mouth as the metal brackets rub against the soft portions of your cheeks. You will eventually get used to the sensation, but at first, it can be really tough to deal with. Consider using dental wax to cover the brackets to help ease the transition to wearing braces.

Rinse With Salt Water

The metal brackets can also cause small cuts inside your mouth at first. One way to deal with them is to use a saltwater rinse to coat those spots that are causing you discomfort. Saltwater is going to help clean the cuts and help them heal faster, and any way that you can speed up this process is going to be much appreciated.

Use A Desensitizing Gel

If you have really bad cuts, you can put a desensitizing gel on them which will temporarily make the area feel a bit numb. This type of product is found at your local drug store or supermarket, and it can really help when those cuts are at their peak level of discomfort.

Use Ice Packs And Cold Water

You can treat the discomfort with ice packs on the outside of your mouth. Don't keep the ice pack there for too long though since you want to rotate it on and off. The cold temperature of the ice pack will help reduce the inflammation that you are experiencing and ease your overall comfort as a result.

Similar to using an ice pack, it can help to drink cold water so that the cold temperature washes over your teeth and gums. You will discover that this helps you feel better as you slowly drink the water over the course of the day.

Avoid Hard Foods

It's a good idea to stay away from hard foods after you have your braces adjusted when they are going to be the most sensitive. Stick to softer foods, like soups, which are not going to require your teeth to chew on them. Putting all that pressure on your teeth will cause some lasting discomfort that can last for several hours, so it is best to avoid those foods if you are able to.

Reach out to an orthodontist for more information about caring for braces. 

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