Mouth Ulcers While Wearing Braces? (9 EASY FIXES HERE)

Ulcers with braces can happen. Getting orthodontic treatment is a big commitment and a big investment. And the payoff can be lifelong – being able to enjoy showing off a healthy, straight, white smile you love. But in the interim, while you have braces on your teeth, you may experience the occasional discomfort such as a mouth ulcer or sores. Ouch! Are mouth ulcers dangerous? Are there any ways to avoid mouth ulcer pain? Is there a home remedy for irritation? In this post, we’ll take you through how to deal with mouth ulcers while wearing braces. Let’s get going.

 

 

Can braces cause sores in your mouth?

Mouth ulcers are uncomfortable and the moment they appear you will want them to disappear. However, the good news is that mouth ulcers typically are not dangerous. Everyone gets a mouth ulcer now and again, whether from eating too much citrus, from accidentally biting down on your cheek or lip, or even from stress.

When you are wearing braces, mouth ulcers are sometimes caused by the hardware making contact with the soft, sensitive tissues of your inner cheeks and inside lips. This is quite normal and can take some getting used to. Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do to alleviate any temporary discomfort while the ulcer heals.

How do you get rid of ulcers from braces?

The hands-down best way to avoid pain is to practice great daily oral hygiene. Caring for braces can take a bit longer than you are used to – more brushing, more flossing, even the use of special flossing aids to get trapped food out of the little nooks and crannies of your braces and gargling with sanitizing mouthwash.

But taking the extra time to do this can pay off. The most important reason to take excellent care of your teeth and gums while wearing braces is that this destroys mouth bacteria that might otherwise breed infection. Yuck! Those mouth bacteria can creep into your ulcer and infect it and that is when the real trouble can start.

Another great way to avoid mouth ulcer pain is to cut down on the amount of acidic or citrus foods you eat. Common acidic foods include orange juice, lemons, and tomato products. These foods can make the discomfort worse and cause the ulcer to take longer to heal.

If you can, try to avoid hot/spicy foods and hot-temperature foods as well. Both can cause ulcers and make the pain worse.

Is There a Home Remedy for Mouth Ulcer Irritation?

Mouth sores are quite common even among people who aren’t wearing braces. Thankfully, this means there are lots of home remedies you can use to ease any discomfort, pain, or irritation you may feel.

• Orthodontic wax

Orthodontic wax is a time-honored remedy for mouth sores. The use of wax can both prevent mouth ulcers from forming and also help ease discomfort. You can just place the wax right over any area on your braces that are abrading your mouth tissues to keep an ulcer from forming.

• Saltwater gargle

Warm salt water is a natural antiseptic agent and is an aid to help wounds heal faster. When combined with warmed water, it is also very soothing. Take six ounces of warmed water and add a teaspoon of plain table salt. Stir and then gargle with it, one mouthful at a time, until it is all gone. Do this two or three times per day to reduce pain and speed healing.

Try to refrain from drinking or eating anything for at least five minutes afterward to let the salt work its magic.

• Hydrogen peroxide gargle

Hydrogen peroxide is an alternative to salt – some people prefer one or the other. You don’t have to do both although it won’t hurt. Like salt, hydrogen peroxide is a natural antiseptic and healing agent.

Combine one-half cup peroxide with one-half cup water. Gargle this one mouthful at a time until it is all gone. Do this two or three times per day to speed healing. Try not to drink or eat anything for at least five minutes after you gargle to let the hydrogen peroxide do its best work.

• Ice cubes

While we never advise chewing ice while you have braces (or even while you don’t have braces), holding a small ice cube in your mouth over the area of the mouth sore can temporarily numb it and provide relief from pain.

• Numbing gel

Of course, it isn’t always possible to stop what you are doing to go gargle some salt water or suck on a small ice cube. Times like these are what numbing gel was made for. Numbing gel is readily available over the counter or from your orthodontist and can be applied directly to the area of the mouth ulcer to numb the pain.

• Used teabag

If you like tea or if someone in your family enjoys tea, you can re-use the teabag as a soothing salve for your mouth ulcer. Any kind of tea will do. Earl Grey, lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, and chamomile all have healing antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that work on mouth sores, your mouth will appreciate it .

After you are done brewing your tea, retain the teabag and simply press it directly over the ulcer inside your mouth for a few minutes.

• Analgesics

Everyone has different natural pain tolerance. Some people feel pain more than others. If your mouth ulcer is getting painful, it is fine to take some over-the-counter pain relievers for temporary relief. Always ask your doctor about the best pain reliever to take for your specific situation.

 

 

Conclusion

Our cutting-edge, compassionate, and customer-first approach to orthodontic treatment means we treat all generations here in our friendly local practice.

Remember, it is now recommended that children receive their first orthodontic screening on or before age seven. Make your consultation with Dr. McDermott today and be on your way to better oral health for the whole family. We also provide Invisalign and all treatments that would straighten teeth.

 

 

 

MCDERMOTT ORTHODONTICS

13046 Falcon Drive

Baxter, MN 56425

Phone: 218-829-1630

 

Mouth Ulcers While Wearing Braces? (9 EASY FIXES HERE)