1. Eat soft foods for the first few days.
The bulk of orthodontic brace pain will happen in the first 24 to 72 hours after braces are put on your teeth. During the first few days, eat very soft foods that don’t require much chewing until you are more accustomed to eating with braces. Foods like soups, applesauce and mashed potatoes are good choices.
2. Eat cold or frozen foods like ice cream.
Ice cream will give your mouth relief by offering numbing comfort. You can also suck on ice cubes. Put an ice cube in your mouth next to the area that is experiencing the most discomfort. The frozen cube will help numb your mouth and reduce any inflammation that may be occurring.
- Alternately, you can freeze a baby teething ring and chew or rest it in your mouth. This will also provide some relief.
3. Avoid acidic drinks and foods.
Acidic foods and drinks that contain citrus, for example, can aggravate mouth sores or other discomfort in your mouth. Avoid these to eliminate the possibility of further irritating your mouth.
4. Avoid hard or sticky foods.
Do not eat certain kinds of foods so that your braces do not break, causing some irritation and additional cost. Hard and sticky foods, such as chips, jerky, nuts and taffy, can be damaging to your braces.
- Do not chew on other hard objects, such as pens, pencils or ice cubes.
5. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever.
Pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) can offer some relief from the discomfort of braces. Take a dose of acetaminophen (usually two tablets) every four hours. Be sure to eat food with this medication, as it can cause an upset stomach if taken by itself. Drink a full glass of water to wash it down.
- Follow the instructions on the label to ensure proper dosage.
- You can also take ibuprofen (Advil)
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