How to Deal with Braces

Coping With Pain

Eat cold foods. Cold foods can help you deal with the pain of braces. Things like ice cream, popsicles, fruit smoothies, and frozen yogurt can temporarily numb the pain. If your braces are bothering you, try treating yourself to a cold snack. However, remember not to overdo it on sugar. If you've already had ice cream to numb the pain, have a healthy smoothie with frozen fruit instead of another sugary snack.

Do a salt water rinse. Mix some table salt in a glass of warm water. Swish it around in your mouth for about 30 seconds before spitting it back into the sink. For some, rinsing with salt water can numb pain in the mouth. Salt water can also help heal cuts and abrasions in your mouth from your new braces. Keep in mind, salt water does not work for everyone. If salt water irritates your mouth, stop using it.

Try over-the-counter painkillers. Painkillers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen can be used to help numb pain caused by braces. If your mouth is chronically sore, taking over-the-counter painkillers on occasion can dull the pain. Make sure to only take the dosage recommended on the bottle. If you're on any existing medication, talk to a pharmacist to make sure it does not interact poorly with over-the-counter medication.

Talk to your orthodontist about wax. When you go in to get your braces adjusted, ask your doctor about wax. An orthodontist can place wax between your gums and braces. This provides a barrier that can ease some pain. If you're experiencing pain, having an orthodontist apply wax at your next adjustment can really cut down on discomfort. Your orthodontist can give you wax to use at home. To use the wax, roll a portion of wax into a small ball. Then, press it against the front of your braces. Do this with any of the braces irritate your mouth or rub against your gums and lips.

Taking Care of Your Teeth

Learn to brush your teeth carefully. Brushing your teeth changes when you have braces. After getting your braces put on, learn to brush your teeth carefully. Talk to your orthodontist about how to best brush your teeth and follow their instructions carefully. With braces, you brush each tooth carefully from the top to the bottom. Shift the brush at a 45-degree angle to get both the tops and the bottoms of your teeth while brushing. Then, use your brush to brush the bottom and inside surfaces of your teeth. You should also brush 3 times a day. Make sure to clean all of your teeth. Do not forget to brush the area below the braces. This area is frequently neglected. A dentist may request that you use a special brush, called an interproximal brush, to clean between your braces. If a dentist gives you a brush like this, talk to them about how to best use it.

Floss with braces. Flossing with braces can be a challenge. To start, gently feed the short end of the floss through the uppermost portion of your teeth, near your gums and the main arch of your braces. Saw back and forth to work the floss between your two teeth. Then, repeat between all the other gaps between your teeth. Be very gentle when flossing with braces. Do not press against the wire arch of your braces when flossing.

Make a braces kit. A braces kit can be a handy tool to carry with you throughout the day. You can bring the kit with you to places like school or work. If anything happens with your braces while you're out, you will have the supplies you need. In a small toiletries bag, store the following: A mini toothbrush Toothpaste Dental floss Dental picks A small mirror A pack of tissues Some wax for your teeth

Brush your teeth in public when necessary. Sometimes, food may get caught in your teeth when you're not home. In this case, take your dental kit to a public restroom. Take out the supplies you need to brush your teeth or dislodge anything stuck between your gums. As brushing your teeth in public can feel awkward, try to find a private bathroom if possible. If you do have to brush your teeth in a public restroom, remember lots of people have braces. Most people will be understanding that you need to occasionally brush your teeth in public.

Focus on the long term benefits. It can be grating to have to wear braces. You may feel embarrassed or insecure about your braces. However, remember braces have positive long term effects. Even if you dislike having to wear braces now, remember that your teeth will be straighter and healthier. If you start to feel discouraged due to your braces, think about how nice your teeth will look when you get them removed. Try making your braces fun. Some dentists can provide you with special colors or glitter. This can make you feel excited about wearing braces. You can also look into invisible braces. If you're insecure about your smile, try focusing on other aspects of how you look. Invest in some new clothes. Change your hairstyle. Try a new makeup routine.

Eating With Braces

Chew slowly. When you're first adjusting to braces, eating can be difficult. You may find yourself struggling to chew and food may be harder to swallow. Chewing slowly can help you get a feel for how to eat with your braces. It can also cut down on cuts and other injuries. Try to make a habit of chewing a set number of times, like 10 times, for each bite. You can also try to time how long it takes you to eat a meal. Strive to make every meal last 20 minutes, for example.

Go for soft food. At first, you should only eat softer foods when you have braces. Harder foods can be hard to chew and cause pain. Stick to things like mashed potatoes, soft fruits, soups, noodle dishes, and other foods that are easy to chew. This can be frustrating, but remember it's only temporary. The longer you have braces, the more comfortable you will be eating with them. Eventually, you'll be able to enjoy a wide variety of foods even though you have braces.

Avoid certain types of foods. Some foods should be mostly avoided while you have braces. Certain types of chewy or sticky foods can easily stick to your braces. Even after you've adjusted to your braces, you should still avoid the following: Gummy snacks Foods with tough textures, like bagels and apples Corn on the cob Hard snacks like pretzels and nuts Chicken wings, beef jerky, and wings Pizza crusts Pickles Bubble gum

Have patience. At first, it can be frustrating not to enjoy the foods you love. However, remember to have patience. With time, people are able to adjust to their new braces. As pain decreases, and you get more comfortable chewing, you can enjoy a wider variety of foods while wearing your braces.