Was your child finally able to get braces put on? Are you excited and nervous to help them transition into wearing them every day?
They’re important tools that can help your child achieve a beautiful smile. But some adjustment time is normal. Parents often worry about how to keep their children from the pain that braces could bring.
If you’ve been through it before, you know how you struggled to make a dental appointment and you can just imagine what it’s like to have teeth that are in pain from braces.
Keep reading below for our tips on how to help your child with braces.
Identify the Type of Pain Caused by Braces
It is important to help your child manage pain from braces. It is important to identify the type of pain caused by the braces. There are three types of pain caused by braces.
Pressure pain is caused by the initial fitting of braces and banding. Friction pain is caused by bands or wires rubbing against the inside of the mouth. Sight pain is caused by the movement of teeth and self-adjusting braces.
Exercise and Stretch for Relief
Regular exercise and stretching can help reduce pain from child braces. Have your child take frequent breaks during the day to stretch their jaw, mouth, and oral muscles. Make sure your child is regularly performing exercises that help keep their jaw loose, such as pursing their lips together or making whale noises.
Massaging the jaw can also help relieve pain and discomfort. Regular exercise and stretching can help your child cope with the discomfort associated with braces. Encourage your child to maintain their regular exercise routine and stretch as often as needed.
Eating Strategies to Help Reduce Pain
Eating strategies are a great way to reduce pre-existing and new pain associated with braces. Ensure your child is cutting food into small pieces. Cutting food can reduce the amount of chewing and putting excessive pressure on the brackets and wires which will reduce the pain.
Avoid hard, crunchy, and chewy foods, especially for the first few days after an orthodontic adjustment. Anything hard can catch on the braces and irritate them. Soft fruits and well-cooked vegetables should be encouraged as they are much easier to eat and chew and can even help to keep the teeth clean.
Nutritionally balanced meals provide the body with the necessary vitamins and minerals to fight off and repair pain caused by braces. Making sure your child is adequately nourished should be a top priority.
Soothing the Skin Around Braces
It is important to help your child with pain from braces by soothing the skin around them. Begin by having your child use a soft-bristled toothbrush when brushing as it will reduce irritation to the gums and cheeks. You can also give them an oral rinse, such as a saltwater solution, to help reduce irritation. Be sure to use a wax protector to cushion the ends of the wires.
You may also want to provide them with wax molds that fit around their braces to reduce contact with the mouth and skin. Give them sensitive toothpaste that contains special ingredients that help to soothe any type of jaw, mouth, or gum soreness.
Over-the-Counter and Prescription Medication for Brace Pain
It’s important to help your child ease the discomfort of braces, which can cause pain. Over-the-counter and prescription medications can help ease the pain of braces. Make sure you talk to your dentist, orthodontist, or pharmacist before giving your child any medication.
Over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen, are generally safe when taken according to the instructions on the package. Prescription medications such as acetaminophen, codeine, and corticosteroids may also be recommended for severe brace pain. With the right medications, lifestyle modifications, and oral hygiene, you can help your child cope with the pain of braces.
Orthodontic Appointments as Part of the Solution
Orthodontic appointments are an important part of the solution for managing orthodontic pain. Scheduling an orthodontic appointment can help reduce pain and improve comfort by making adjustments to the braces and providing pain relievers or wax to help relieve mouth pain.
Orthodontic visits involve x-rays and an examination of the mouth to check the current state and make adjustments to reduce pressure and help the child find relief. Talk to your child’s orthodontist to see if they can recommend any other pain relief techniques to help your child’s healing process and improve their comfort. Schedule an orthodontic visit here to help your child’s healing process and improve their comfort.
Promote Positive Self-Talk to Manage Pain
Helping children understand that pain is a normal part of having braces is important to promote positive self-talk to manage the pain. Teaching your child to use words to identify and express their emotions can be beneficial. Talk to them about their pain and how it exists in their body.
Allow them to describe what their pain feels like and the intensity. Encourage your child to use positive self-statements to understand their painful experience and reinforce that the pain is temporary. Show your child how to use positive visualizations to imagine being in a comfortable, relaxed physical and mental state.
Help your child relax by having them visualize a peaceful place, imagining that the pain is slowly going away. Together, you and your child can develop a plan to manage the pain and promote positive self-talk.
Things to Do to Help Your Child Relieve Pain From Braces
With braces, it’s important to ensure that your child manages pain and discomfort. Practicing good oral hygiene, using brace wax and over-the-counter remedies, and even seeing a specialist can help ease the pain.
Taking action as soon as pain begins is key. Staying proactive can help your child have a healthy and happy orthodontic journey! To learn more about helping your child manage pain from braces, consult an orthodontist.
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