Tooth Pain
Pain is a signal that something is wrong. Any tooth pain should be taken seriously, because ignoring this symptom can lead to more serious dental and medical consequences. Among the common causes of tooth pain are decay, erosion, infection, and trauma.
General Soreness
After your braces are adhered to your teeth, you may experience some soreness associated with them, such as tenderness during biting pressure. Your orthodontist will recommend eating a soft diet for several days following the appointment. If you’re following this diet and still feel general soreness in your teeth or gums, it can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm saltwater solution. Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water and rinse your mouth vigorously. You can also take over the counter medications such as Tylenol. It is not recommended to take NSAIDs like ibuprofen, as these medications actually slow down the movement of your teeth, which of course interferes with your orthodontic treatment.
If you find that your lips, cheeks, or tongue become irritated as they adjust to your new braces; you can put dental wax on the braces to lessen irritation.
Headgear
If you have been prescribed headgear by your orthodontist, you must wear it exactly as instructed. Discomfort can be caused by not wearing your headgear regularly. Typically, the headgear hurts less the more it is worn. Also, if you find that something is damaged or bent on your equipment, you will need to contact your orthodontist for it to be repaired.
Loose Appliance
If part of your braces or headgear is loose and poking you, place wax on the offending part until you can see your orthodontist.
Loose Bracket
If your bracket or band is still attached to the wire, you should leave it in place and put wax on it if you need some comfort. If the bracket or band can be removed easily, place it in an envelope and save it to bring to your next orthodontist appointment.
Loose Wire
Using a pair of tweezers or needle-nosed pliers, try to put your wire back into place. It is okay to use a piece of floss to tie the wire into place. To do this, tie the floss around the bracket in place of the missing colored o-ring. If you cannot put the wire into a comfortable position, and covering the end with wax doesn’t help, 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.
Trauma
Dental trauma caused by a collision, a blow to the face, a sporting injury, a fall, or any other accident should be evaluated immediately. Sometimes, damage to a tooth isn’t obvious, and persistent pain could mean a hairline fracture or damage below the gum line.
Your dentist can often repair chips, cracks, and fractures in the office. For severe dental trauma, your dentist might refer you to an oral surgeon or endodontist for specialized treatment or surgery.
If you have been suffering from persistent tooth pain, see your dentist as soon as possible to discover the cause of your discomfort. Together, you can decide on a treatment plan that will give you back your healthy, pain-free smile.