After Hours Orthodontic Care

Life in Braces can take some time to adjust, but the more you stick to new routines, the faster they stick! Eat a softer diet, smaller bites, and chewing more on your back teeth will ease some of the discomfort when eating.

Irritated gums and other sore spots can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm saltwater mouthwash. Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water and rinse your mouth vigorously. Ibuprofen (Motrin^®, Advil^®) and acetaminophen (Tylenol^®) taken on an alternating cycle for two to three days can also ease discomfort in the first few days. Naproxen sodium (Naprosyn^®, Anaprox^®) can actually slow tooth movement, so limit its use when wearing braces.

Using a pea-sized amount of wax to cover irritating brackets or wires will help irritations on your lips and cheeks feel better. Let us know if you need more!

As a last resort, you can use a clean fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth

If you cannot put the wire into a comfortable position and cover it with orthodontic wax. As a last resort, use a small fingernail clipper to clip the wire behind the last tooth to which it is securely fastened. If the end of the wire is still sharp, place wax on it.