Do not, however, bite into any frozen foods, and avoid using your front teeth. Doing so may cause cracks in your enamel, which can be difficult to repair and increase sensitivity.
Mix about a half a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water. Mix until the salt is dissolved. Rinse your mouth with the solution for about 30 seconds and then spit it out into a sink. You can also rinse with chamomile tea, green tea, or ginger tea, which may have an anti-inflammatory effect. Rinse twice a day: for one minute in the morning and two minutes before going to bed.
Go for foods that do not require much movement of the teeth. Things like mashed potatoes, smoothies, puddings, soft fruits, and soups are good options. Try to avoid spicy foods and hot drinks as these can cause gum irritation.
Ibuprofen can help reduce pain and swelling associated with new braces. Take the medication as recommended on the bottle. Avoid alcohol when taking pain medications. If you’re on any existing prescription medication, it is important to talk to a pharmacist to make sure over-the-counter meds will not interact poorly with whatever medication you’re taking.
Several rinses and gels have medications in them that help ease pain. Follow all instructions when taking these medications. Ask your dentist if you have any questions about the medications. Bite wafers are products shaped to fit your teeth. You bite down on these products for a set period of time, which encourages an increase in blood circulation that results in less pain. Chewing gum can also help reduce pain. [6] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
Dental wax is one of the most common and easy to use barrier products. Your dentist will give you a container of wax and you simply break off a piece and rub it on the areas that are sore. Make sure you take dental wax off before brushing your teeth as dental wax can get stuck in your toothbrush. There are also barrier products that are somewhat similar to whitening strips, known as comfort strips. You place a strip over your teeth and it forms a protective barrier between your braces, teeth, and gums. Ask your dentist about using comfort strips when you get your braces put in place.
