Four Ways To Deal With The Pain Of Getting Your Braces Tightened
Posted on: 12 January 2015
If you have crooked teeth and don't like your smile, chances are you have thought about going to an orthodontist and getting braces. You have probably also heard it can be painful when getting braces tightened. If this is preventing you from getting braces and improving your smile, be reassured by these four things that will help you deal with the pain when getting your braces tightened.
Pain Relief Medication
There is no shame in taking an over the counter (OTC) pain medication when trying to deal with pain. For the best results in using OTC medication such as ibuprofen or aspirin, take the medicine a couple of hours before your appointment to ensure it gets into your bloodstream. If needed, you can also take the medication after your appointment.
Think about Something Else
While you are in the orthodontist's chair thinking about something else can help to alleviate the pain. It might sound impossible to not think about what is going on inside your mouth but try your best. One thing you can do is watch the beginning of a movie before going to your appointment then while you're getting your braces tightened, try to guess how it is going to end. If you're able to, you can distract yourself by watching television or listening to your favorite music.
Numb the Pain
Once your appointment is finished and if your teeth are feeling a bit sore, try sipping on something cold to help numb the pain. A good healthy choice would be an ice-cold fruit smoothie. Other pain-numbing treats you can try are ice cream and popsicles. If you are drinking a beverage with ice, be sure not to bite into the ice as this could have the exact opposite effect of what you want. Another way to numb the pain is with anesthetizing oral gel that can be applied to the gums.
Stick to Soft Foods
Whatever you do after getting your braces tightened, be sure to stick to eating soft foods for up to a few days afterwards. Some yummy soft foods to eat are yogurt, apple sauce and mashed potatoes. One thing to remember is you won't want to eat anything doughy like bread that will get stuck in your braces. You will also want to avoid foods such as popcorn, nuts and hard candy.
If you keep these four things in mind, you will be able to better deal with the pain of getting your braces tightened and will be well on your way to a beautiful smile. For more information, check out companies such as Crest Hill Family Dental.
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