Braces are easier to wear than ever before. They are smaller, more comfortable, and work more efficiently than even just a decade or two ago. However, so far no one has been able to come up with a way to prevent mouth sores from forming. Sores pretty much go hand in hand with braces. Luckily, they generally only happen occasionally and tend to go away within just a few days. Still, they can be painful. If you or your child develops a mouth sore during treatment, here’s what you can do.

Fix the Issue

The first step when treating mouth sores is to address the underlying issue. Sometimes, the inside of your mouth just isn’t used to the rubbing from the wires and brackets and all that is needed is a little bit of time. However, some sores are the result of a broken wire, a broken bracket, or a wire that is poking as the teeth start moving. Applying wax to the protruding wire or bracket can help until your mouth toughens up. If you have a wire that is too long, call the office. They should be able to clip it for you in no time.

Use a Rinse

Keeping the inflamed area clean can help speed healing and relieve the pain. You have a couple of options for effective, DIY rinses. Try adding about 1 teaspoon salt to ½ cup warm water. Rinse your mouth with the mixture thoroughly every day. You can also use baking soda instead of salt. Simply combine 1 teaspoon of baking soda with a ½ cup of warm water and follow the same instructions as above. 

Watch What You Eat

Until the sore heals, you need to take extra care with what you eat and drink. Avoid spicy or acidic foods and beverages. Spicy and acidic foods tend to further inflame the tender tissue around the sore. You should also stay away from abrasive foods such as chips and almonds. These foods have a harder time breaking down. The rough food fragments then slide across the sore as you chew, causing pain and prolonging healing. 

You can expect to get a mouth sore or two at some point during your orthodontic treatment. You should be able to treat these sores on your own and they will most likely go away within a matter of days. If your sores worsen with time or don’t heal on their own, reach out to your orthodontist. 

To learn more about common issues that can arise with braces, click here. If you are looking for an orthodontist, you’ve come to the right place! Sonneveld Orthodontics is gentle, caring, and experienced!