What to Do if Braces Hurt

Braces will ultimately give you a straighter, nicer smile. But, you may feel more like grimacing in pain while you are wearing them. A few simple tips will help you know what to do if braces hurt.

Things You'll Need

• Dental wax
• Anbesol
• Advil or other pain reliever

Instructions

1. Pinpoint the pain's origin. You cannot go about relieving pain until you figure out where it's coming from. Perhaps the braces are digging into your cheeks or gums, a wire is poking you or they just feel too dang tight.

2. Get them adjusted. If the pain is coming from tightness or a sharp, poking wire, schedule an appointment with an orthodontist as soon as possible. The best person to adjust the braces is the person who put them on, but other experts should be able to help you if that person is not immediately available. You don't want to wait too long in pain.

3. Cover with wax. Orthodontists and dentists should both have a supply of soft, supple dental wax you can place over your braces so they don't dig into your cheeks and gums. Press small pieces of the wax directly on top of the sharp metal brace pieces. Get a large supply and store in an airtight container or bag so it stays soft. Apply the wax every morning after brushing. Remove it to brush at night. Try sleeping without the wax on and discard old wax as it will accumulate bacteria.

4. Use Anbesol. This pain relief liquid and salve has been helping teething babies and others with toothaches for ages. The company now makes a formula to help with braces pain. Check your local drug store or buy Anbesol for Braces online.

5. Take Advil or another multi-purpose pain reliever. You can find relief from all-over mouth achiness with a pain reliever pill. Check your drug store's pain relief aisle or see Resources below.

6. Eat soft foods. Your mouth will only be further irritated if you indulge in corn on the cob, hard nuts and candies and other stuff that's hard to chew. Opt for mashed, pureed, tender and easy-to-chew foods instead.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice positioning your mouth so you learn to keep your cheeks as far away from your braces as possible. You can practice eating with your cheeks puffed out a bit and talking in a way that doesn't make your cheeks rub against your teeth. It may feel silly at first but you'll get used to it.

• Kissing may kill at first, but this doesn't mean you can't kiss anyone for the whole time you are wearing braces. Use the wax or Anbesol if you are going on a hot date. Warn your date you have braces that may have wax on them so the person is not surprised or grossed out. If your braces pain is so intense you think you need a prescription pain reliever, you better get to the orthodontist fast. No braces should hurt that severely. Something is seriously wrong.

Resources

• Anbesol for Braces
• Standard dental wax
• Advanced wax made from silicone
• Advil