Braces are popular and have been for a while now. They allow otherwise crooked teeth to transform into straight rows of pearls. However, after putting braces on, orthodontists may notice that many of their patients complain of some discomfort. Instead of having to fear or detest wearing braces because of the discomfort associated with them, you can take some steps to help your kids deal with this irritation.
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Speak to the Orthodontist
Your orthodontist may have already spoken to your kids for methods of alleviating the irritation. However, if those techniques are not working, you should talk to the orthodontist. Sometimes, the exact effects are not known until the procedure is implemented. While orthodontists know that irritation can occur, they also know that different children and different bodies react in various ways to the braces. One way to alleviate discomfort after braces is to provide the orthodontist with a clear sense of what is happening. Just stating that discomfort exists is often not enough. Kids should articulate exactly where the irritation is and how often it is happening.
Use Orthodontic Wax
When your orthodontist first put the braces on your kids, you have probably received what is known as orthodontic wax. The main purpose of this wax is to provide relief from the irritation that braces can cause. Before you make a phone call to the office to find out what you should do, look for that wax. If your kids have not yet complained about their braces, make sure you put the wax in a safe spot. It might be the last thing on your mind now, but when your kids are in pain later, you will want to know where you put it.
Prepare a Gargle with Salt Water
When you’re considering all of the ways that a salt-water gargle can help the human body, alleviating the discomfort that braces can cause is another one that you can add to the list. If your kids have never gargled before, then you may need to teach them how to do so. It is important that you remind them not to swallow this mixture. Children who are old enough to have braces can usually understand that information. In fact, if they have braces and have visited the dentist and orthodontist multiple times, they have likely been asked to gargle in the past.
Follow the Directions
After putting braces on patients’ teeth, orthodontists often provide a set of rules for the new wearers of braces. For example, choosing gum is generally advised against with traditional braces. When kids begin to complain of irritation from their braces, you should make sure that they have not participated in any of the activities against which they have been advised. You also have to remember that they need to learn how to take care of these units.
Take Care of the Teeth
Wearing braces requires certain dental hygiene strategies. For example, kids will likely need to learn how to brush in a new way. Orthodontists generally explain these techniques when children get the braces. You should watch too so that you can guide your kids at home. Following the directions is about more than just knowing what to avoid when it comes to certain foods. It is also about listening to the orthodontist for certain hygiene strategies. If your kids are experiencing constant discomfort with their braces, it might be because they are not following the orthodontist’s advice for how to care for their teeth.
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Offer a Cold Beverage
Offer a Snack
You might think that it is odd to offer a snack when your kid’s mouths are bothering them. While bringing out a plate of pretzel rods or hard candy is certainly not the right idea, you can try a soft snack. A snack that is both soft and cold can help their mouths to feel better. On top of that, a snack encourages chewing. You might have trouble encouraging your kids to mimic a chewing motion without food, but you certainly can encourage it when they are eating. This chewing motion might help to relieve some of the irritation.
Pain Relief Medication
One of the fastest ways to relieve pain associated with braces is to take over-the-counter pain relief medication. Chances are that your kids have taken a pain reliever before, whether to bring down a fever or to ease irritation associated with a pain injury. When your children first have the braces put on, you should speak with the orthodontist about the best type of pain relief medication for this irritation. Also, you do want to proceed with caution here. Kids who are encouraged to take pain relief medication may attempt to overdo it. You need to speak with your children about the importance of taking only the recommended dose and taking it only when they truly need to do so. Most children who have braces are old enough to understand this concept; however, if you don’t teach it to them, they won’t know it.
Encourage a Nap
Think about the last time that you really did not feel well. Maybe you had a terrible cold, or perhaps you were experiencing pain in a certain part of your body. Your physical being probably craved some relaxation, and that is exactly what you can encourage your kids to do. If the irritation is not so bad as to prevent them from falling asleep, allow them to take a break from their homework or to miss practice just this one time so that they can rejuvenate. While you do not want to encourage them to constantly use their irritation as an excuse to shirk responsibilities, you probably realize that all humans need to recharge once in a while.
Create a Relaxing Environment
If you are not feeling well and have a ton of tasks to deal with at work and at home, you probably end up feeling even worse. Stress can play a role in how the human body responds to pain. If your kids are too stressed out about other obligations, the pain may feel worse. As they are combating both emotional stress and physical pain, they may begin to feel even sicker. While you cannot necessarily remove every single negative stimulus from an environment, do the best you can to create a peaceful and relaxing environment at home. Ask your spouse to take younger siblings to a park, or turn off the loud music for awhile.
Encourage Patience and Resilience
Sometimes, life comes with irritation and pain, and no magic cure exists for it.Your kid may
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want to immediately alleviate discomfort after braces, but that might not be an option. Explain to them that sometimes pain happens and that they just have to wait for it to subside. While you do not want to allow this pain to protract for too long, you can encourage them to recognize that sometimes they have to face a little bit of pain. If this strategy is the one that you currently have to use, then you can try to distract them for the time being.
While braces can cause some irritation in the mouth, they are also important in repairing problems with the teeth. Instead of commiserating with your kid’s pain and allowing them to feel bad for themselves, try these strategies. You can also speak to a representative from Team Demas Orthodontics for assistance.
Team Demas Orthodontics
27 Meriden Ave #2a, Southington, CT 06489, USA
Phone: 860-276-0333
