Top tips to Make Wearing Dental Braces More Comfortable

The possibility of pain after a dental brace installation is one of the major concerns for most patients. It is normal to experience a little discomfort especially the first week after the orthodontist installs the braces. You might experience soreness and pain around the gum and teeth.

Here are some of the ways to ensure comfort in the early stages after the installation of dental braces.

● Check before leaving the office

The best way to ensure your invisible dental braces are comfortable is to confirm before leaving the orthodontist's office. Confirm everything fits and that you can move your tongue and lips without much concern.

Watch out for long wire ends that might poke the tongue, cheeks, and lips. Also, check for rough edges on the braces that might cause discomfort. Do not forget the elastic bands, orthodontic wax, and other materials to use during the initial periods after the installation.

● Use pain medications in the initial stages

A brace is a foreign object introduced to the body. It is normal to experience pain as the body adjusts to the changes. The pain is likely to be intense in the first week as the gums would be under pressure due to the increased blood flow. You might also experience inflammation during this period.

That is not to scare you from correcting tooth misalignment using braces. The pain will subside after some time. In the initial stages, you can use proper over-the-counter medications to help in the transition.

● Enjoy soft foods

Immediately after the braces installation is not the time to put your tooth under pressure. Instead, it is time to be as gentle as much as possible. The mouth tends to be so sensitive at this point as it adjusts to the foreign objects.

Harder foods give the mouth a hard time during chewing. You might even realize some foods that used to be ordinarily soft like bread become hard to chew. For the first week, keep all foods soft. Some of the best options to eat at this point are mashed potatoes, soups, and rice.

● Follow the rules

Before you leave the hospital, the orthodontist will guide you on the best way to care for your braces. They will give a working schedule to follow during the first weeks after the procedure. The same applies to foods and how to brush or care for the tooth when you feel discomfort, pain, or soreness.

Bonus tip: Hang in there.

The above tips will help you manage pain and discomfort during the earlier weeks after the procedure. Do not hesitate to look for medication in case you can't handle anything anymore. Better still, if you can handle the changes in the earlier weeks, you won't have to worry about full recovery soon after.

In conclusion

Pain or discomfort after braces placements is normal. It is not anything you cannot manage when you follow the orthodontist's guide, eat soft food, and use pain medication when necessary. It is all part of giving you the perfect dental setup.