When you first get your braces put on, you may feel some pain. The brackets themselves may not be too painful, but when the wires get put into place, they can be painful. If you have to have a pallet extender, it can also be painful. If you feel any pain at all from your braces, it will go away after a few days, but in the meantime, there are things you can do. Read on for some helpful information.

Take Over-The-Counter Pain Medication

You can take over-the-counter pain medication to ease any pain from your braces. Whether it's due to a tightening of your wires or some new hardware added to your mouth that is causing you some pain or discomfort, the over-the-counter medication will help you. Follow the directions on the bottle for dosage and do not go over the dosage amount. You can also talk to your orthodontist about what pain medication is best.

Eat Soft Foods

You are going to feel pain when you eat, so be sure to eat foods that are soft for at least a few days after you get your braces put on or adjusted. Don't eat anything that is too hard or too tough or that requires too much chewing. If you can't eat food at all, drink your meals by blending up shakes or smoothies. Drinking out of a straw may be painful, so be sure to drink out of the cup, rather than using a straw.

Apply A Warm Compress

If your jaw is hurting you at all, apply a warm compress to your jaw or mouth. Ice can also help you, use either a washrag soaked in warm or cold water, or you can use an ice pack that you apply to your jaw. When using either the warm compress or the ice pack, be sure to protect your skin so you don't burn or freeze it.

Brush Your Teeth Gently

You may not feel like brushing your teeth, but you need to do so to keep your teeth clean. Brush your teeth gently, and take your time doing so, as going too quickly may cause you more pain. Use mouthwash as well to clean the spaces around your brackets and to keep your breath fresh as well.

If you have just had braces put on, or you just had them adjusted in some way, use the information above to help ease your pain. Make an appointment at an orthodontic's office, such as Poulson Orthodontics, to learn more about braces.