For crooked teeth, an overbite, underbite, cross bite or jaw or joint problems, braces are often the only treatment that will ensure your child will have a flawless smile. Unfortunately, after teeth braces are first applied, pain is often a side-effect induced from the jaw or teeth shifting while aligning to the correct position. So how can you relieve braces pain?

The pressure can be hard to manage,  so here's 5 different remedies for braces pain that will help keep you smiling.

1. Cold & Frozen Drinks

Cold and frozen drinks are a great way of soothing the pain from teeth braces, as these effectively numb the soreness. Your child’s teeth, gums or jaw may be sore after their braces have been fitted or tightened. It is good to be prepared with cold and frozen drinks on hand as a first port for pain relief. Be careful that they don’t drink anything acidic, such as orange juice, or it can cause further pain if sores have developed from the braces.

2. Frozen Foods

Frozen food, such as Ice-cream, can provide pain relief, as well as being a delicious distraction for those children with a sweet tooth. For a healthier option - try frozen yoghurt or make your own icy pops at home with fresh ingredients. Our team are here to help with other suggestions for yummy frozen foods that help relieve the pressure.

3. Oral Gels

Oral gels, such as Bonjela and Orased, are great for numbing painful areas of the jaw or teeth caused by teeth braces. You have probably applied Bonjela on your child’s gums before, when they were an infant going through teething. It offers similar relief for braces pain. Bonjela has a dual purpose, as not only will it numb the pain of the treatment, but it seals any sores that have resulted from the, speeding up the healing process.

4. Soft Foods

When your child’s braces are initially fitted at an Inner West Orthodontics clinic, it is vital that you only allow them to eat soft foods. The reason for this is soft foods will help alleviate any pain from teeth braces, jaw pain or joints shifting. Pumpkin soup is a good choice, which is low in acidity, but high in nutritional value. Any soft food that minimises the need to chew, as well as has no sharp edges that can aggravate inflamed sores is an ideal choice.

5. Painkillers

If your child is in serious pain after his/her braces have been fitted or tightened, as a last resort, you can offer them a painkiller such as Ibuprofen. The dosage is dependent on age, so please follow the instructions listed on the packaging before giving your child any over-the-counter medication. For further advice on painkillers that offer targeted pain relief for the discomfort of teeth braces, speak to your orthodontist.