After your child has gotten braces, he or she might start complaining that the braces are rubbing on the inside of the mouth and you may be told that your child has a mouth ulcer.
What Is Mouth Ulcer?
A mouth ulcer is a sore on the inside of the mouth that can cause sharp pain, especially when chewing certain foods.
gif courtesy of giphy.com
What to Do When Experiencing Mouth Ulcer
It could be that your mouth ulcers are only temporary. Also, these ulcers are likely to occur shortly after adjustments have been made to your braces during a regular checkup. However, these symptoms will go away with time. Eventually, your mouth becomes tougher and will no longer suffer from ulcers. The sore should then be gone in about a week.
If the mouth ulcer while wearing braces does not go away after a week, contact your child’s orthodontist to schedule an appointment. There may be a problem with how the braces were fitted. You should especially schedule an appointment with the orthodontist if there is a bracket or wire that is loose.
Apply Dental Wax to Your Braces
Your orthodontist will likely provide you with dental wax that can be applied to your braces. This substance helps lubricate your braces and prevent the sharp portions from rubbing against the inside of your mouth. If not, you can purchase it at most pharmacies.
Disinfect The Ulcer
Part of what will cause your ulcers to hurt is the bacteria that might infect them. To help keep your ulcers disinfected, add salt to a warm glass of water, mix the water and then rinse with it. This should be done sparingly because saltwater can be hard on teeth. Make sure to spit the mixture out.
There are also commercial products designed to treat ulcers in the mouth, such as Colgate’s Peroxyl. It is like peroxide, but is specially formulated to target bacteria that infects ulcers. However, these treatments do not always provide immediate relief.
Numb The Pain
To experience more immediate relief, apply a topical Orabase gel. This can be done with precision using a Q-tip. The gel will numb the ulcer and provide temporary pain relief. Anti-inflammatory medications can also help treat the pain caused by ulcers.
If you would like a DIY solution, two tablespoons of olive oil, eight drops of eucalyptus essential oil and ten drops of peppermint essential oil can be added to a spray bottle and sprayed onto the ulcer. These ingredients have anti-inflammatory properties and will also numb the pain.
Other Natural Remedies
A simple, natural solution is to soak a chamomile bag in fresh water. Afterward, the bag can be placed directly on the sore. The bag has antiseptic properties and can also act as an anti-inflammatory.
If you have sage, add two teaspoons of sage to a 4-ounce cup of water and stir. Boil the water and then allow it to sit for ten minutes. Your child should then swish the water in the mouth for a minute before spitting it out. Sage has been used for ages as a Native American remedy to cleanse the mouth.
What Can I Eat While Wearing Braces?
Create a Protective Barrier for your Mouth
Rinconol PRN is a mouth rinse that will create a protective barrier for your mouth that lasts four hours. You simply need to rinse with the product for a minute. This barrier may make it less likely for foods and beverages to aggravate your ulcer.
Cover The Braces
There are products that are designed to cover braces. Comfort covers adhere to the braces and prevent them from coming in direct contact with the ulcer, which reduces the risk that your ulcer will be aggravated. These can be worn the entire day, even when you are eating and drinking. These products can usually be cut with scissors to give your child a more comfortable custom-fit. There are also BraceGuard kits that can be used to create a custom mouth guard.
Avoid Acidic and Spicy Foods
Foods that are highly acidic are more likely to aggravate the ulcer and slow the healing process. Citrus juices and tomatoes are common acidic foods. Spicy food can also aggravate ulcers. Sodas are also likely to aggravate ulcers. Bland foods that are easy to swallow, such as yogurt, are the best if you have ulcers. Drinking cold fluids and eating Popsicles can help numb the pain.
Ask your child if a particular food aggravates his or her ulcer and stop serving it until the ulcer is gone. While some of these acidic foods are healthy, there are non-acidic foods that are also healthy. Eating foods with a higher pH that are filled with nutrients will help you heal your ulcer more quickly. Drinking more water can also help alleviate the pain associated with ulcers.
Treat Other Causes
While the new braces could be the culprit, there are several other issues that can cause mouth ulcers, including:
- Stress
- Tissue damage
- Oral injury
Your child might have bit the inside of his or her mouth, causing or aggravating the ulcer. If your child is under
stress, look for ways to incorporate stress-relieving activities into your child’s routine, such as:
- Exercise
- Yoga
- Deep breathing
Your child might also be suffering from a condition such as:
- IBS
- Stomach ulcers
- Crohn’s Disease
Look for A Qualified Orthodontist
If your child has problems with their braces or if you are unhappy with the care that your child receives, consider contacting Team Demas Orthodontics to schedule an appointment now.
TEAM DEMAS ORTHODONTICS
27 Meriden Ave #2a, Southington, CT 06489, USA
Phone: 860-276-0333
