There is a possibility that you may experience some discomfort if you have dental braces. Brackets and wires of braces rub against the soft, and sensitive tissues of your mouth. It can exert pressure on your teeth, and hence, the braces pain is inevitable during the initial days. These are certain tips that you can follow to help you alleviate the pain and discomfort caused by your braces:

1. Use an ice pack

If your braces are causing soreness in your mouth, then you can apply a pack of ice to the area of discomfort. Ice pack decreases the soreness in your mouth caused by newly tightened braces. It eases the pain generated by the tightness of the braces by numbing the nerves in your affected areas.

2. Apply orthodontic wax

The metal brackets and wires can rub against the delicate skin in your mouth and can irritate your inner cheeks, lips, and gums. A thin layer of orthodontic wax can be applied over the irritated area. The orthodontic wax reduces braces pain as it acts as a barrier between the metal components and your mouth.

3. Gargle with warm salt water

Brackets and wires can lead to soreness and irritation of the cheeks and lips. Gargling with warm salt water helps alleviate pain and soreness caused by dental braces. Mix a teaspoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm water and rinse your mouth thoroughly. You can use this remedy several times a day to reduce braces pain.

4. Avoid eating crunchy foods

Consuming solid and crunchy foods when you have braces creates pain and discomfort.Chewing crunchy foods require a large amount of force and biting these foods with braces on can easily injure the sides of your mouth. Soft healthy foods are recommended. Apart from that, you can also have  frozen foods like ice creams and popsicles, which are not only delicious but can also help ease braces pain by reducing inflammation caused due to irritation. You can also sip ice water for relief.

Once your mouth gets used to the pressure of braces, you will no longer experience pain. Apart from trying these tricks, you can also consult your dentist to find other ways to reduce dental braces pain. They can help you to keep a check on your dental braces, and provide you with dental care tips.