Have you had a mouth sore with braces? Maybe you have one currently. If so, then you know they can make chewing, talking, and even smiling quite painful. Luckily, with a few essential tips in your arsenal, you can help manage them and, in some cases, prevent them altogether. To learn more, read on!
How to Help Prevent Mouth Sores with Braces
Mouth sores are common for patients with braces. Fortunately, however, there are a few ways to significantly decrease your chances of getting one:
- Keep your mouth clean – When it comes to preventing mouth sores, keeping your mouth clean is essential. That starts with brushing for two full minutes after each meal and extends to visiting your dentist twice a year for a dental checkup and cleaning.
- Drink plenty of water – Did you know that saliva has antibacterial components? Furthermore, dry mouth can exacerbate mouth sores, making the abrasion more painful. Luckily, drinking plenty of water can encourage saliva production and help prevent dry mouth simultaneously.
- Use dental wax – Since your metal brackets and wires can easily cut the soft tissue in your mouth, protecting your gums, cheeks, and lips is crucial. The good news is that a small piece of dental wax can go a long way!
How to Manage Mouth Sores with Braces
Once a mouth sore has surfaced, there are a few things you can do to minimize your discomfort. The following best practices are a great place to start:
- Rinse with salt and warm water – Salt and water may be two standard household items, but they create a natural disinfectant when combined. All you have to do is dissolve some salt in warm water, stir the mixture together, and rinse. Not only will this reduce swelling, but it will also kill the bacteria!
- Avoid sugary and acidic foods – In short, sugary and acidic foods and beverages will irritate any existing mouth sores. So, it’s best to avoid soda, ice cream, and other treats like these entirely. Instead, focus on eating vitamin-rich foods, like eggs, oatmeal, and yogurt.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers – For really big mouth sores, sometimes the best option is to take an over-the-counter pain reliever. This will help keep you comfortable while you implement the above best practices, like drinking plenty of water.
Mouth sores can be extremely uncomfortable, making day-to-day activities much more cumbersome. Don’t worry – with the above tips in mind, you can significantly decrease your chances of developing any.
About the Practice
Drabik Orthodontics is comprised of a phenomenal team that is centered around an important mission: providing you with top-tier treatment that delivers beautiful results! Both of our orthodontists want each person in our treatment chair to enjoy comfortable and effective care. That’s why we focus on the “little things,” like teaching patients how to manage and prevent mouth sores with braces. If you have any questions about orthodontic treatment or would like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team via our website or by phone at (585)-730-7700.