Wearing braces is an important step towards achieving a smile that is aesthetic, easy to brush, and comfortable. At Laguna Palms Orthodontics, we provide comprehensive orthodontic treatment and strive to make patients as comfortable as possible when wearing braces.
We have created this guide to help those new to braces understand the best strategies to keep their appliance comfortable and clean throughout the duration of their treatment.
Making Braces More Comfortable
While modern braces are more convenient than ever before, soreness following tightening appointments is to be expected. Consider the following methods to alleviate potential discomfort caused by adjustments or the way wires and brackets feel on the inside of your cheek:
Warm Saline Rinse- Your orthodontist will tighten your braces as necessary to achieve ideal teeth alignment and bite orientation. While this may cause some initial soreness, rinsing with warm salt water can to alleviate swelling and sensitivity.
Orthodontic Wax- Though wires are bent away from the cheek, some patients experience discomfort with brackets and errant wires poking soft tissues. Your orthodontist will provide you with orthodontic wax to coat spots that would ordinarily wear on the cheek or gums.
Hydration- If you experience dry, brackets and wires are more likely to stick to the inside of your cheek and lip, causing discomfort and making it difficult to speak. Be sure to keep water nearby so you can hydrate whenever necessary.
Sleeping on Your Back- Sleeping on your side can cause braces to press into the soft tissue of your cheek and leave sores on the interior of the lip. Patients who learn to sleep on their backs are less likely to experience this discomfort. If you are unable to do so, purchasing a soft pillow can alleviate the pressure on the cheek.
Keep Your Braces Clean
Brushing and flossing remain important to the long-term health of your smile when wearing braces. While this process may take longer than before, there are instruments that make brushing and flossing easy and effective. Narrow brushes can be used to clean the portion of your teeth behind the archwire and the sides of the brackets. Flossing needles and Waterpiks® make cleaning the spaces between the teeth manageable.
Learn More at Laguna Palms Orthodontics
Upon receiving your braces, Dr. Nimrat Heir provides you with a kit to care for your braces and detailed instructions on what foods are ideal, what foods to avoid, and how best to keep your teeth clean. Contact us today to schedule your exam and consultation for orthodontic treatment.