Managing Your Child’s Orthodontic Discomfort

Orthodontic treatment can sometimes cause pain or discomfort as the teeth begin to shift into their correct positions. In fact, the biggest concern for those undergoing orthodontic treatment is whether or not their treatment will be painful!

It is true that dental braces have been known to cause soreness and discomfort. This is because of changes in blood flow that occur when pressure is applied to the teeth, as well as the body’s natural inflammatory response. The level of pain during orthodontic treatment also depends on your age, gender, emotional state, and stress levels. This is why some people have reported little to no pain while others tend to have more problems.

Managing Your Child’s Orthodontic Discomfort

Since everyone responds differently to orthodontic pain, it’s important to know how to ease your child’s pain, just in case.

• We recommend the proper use of over-the-counter pain medication such as Tylenol, Ibuprofen, and Aspirin.
• Additionally, eating soft foods can reduce the amount of pressure on orthodontic appliances.
• Dental wax is used to cover brackets or wires that have been causing harm to the soft tissues in the mouth.

For more tips on how to manage any pain or discomfort caused by your child’s orthodontic treatment, or to make an appointment with Dr. Naomi Lane, please call Piedmont Pediatric Dentistry here in Greensboro, North Carolina.