Helping to Manage Your Child’s Orthodontic Pain

Orthodontic treatment can sometimes cause pain or discomfort as the teeth are guided into the right position. For those considering orthodontic treatment, the possibility that the braces will cause pain is one of the most common concerns we hear in our office, both from patients and the parents of our patients.

The answer is that yes, your child’s braces may occasionally cause his or her teeth to feel uncomfortable or sore. This is because of blood flow changes that occur when pressure is applied to the teeth, in addition to the inflammatory response of the body. The amount of pain your child experiences during orthodontic treatment will also depend upon his or her age, gender, stress level, and emotional state. This is why some people have a difficult time with braces and others don’t seem to mind them at all.

Your Child’s Orthodontic Pain

Because everyone will respond differently to orthodontic pain, it’s important that you know the options available to your child during orthodontic treatment. Here at Firestone Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, we recommend using over-the-counter pain medication to control the pain caused by his or her dental braces. Ibuprofen and Tylenol have been shown to help reduce the occasional discomfort caused by orthodontic appliances. You can also offer soft foods to your child to reduce the stress put on the braces and use dental wax to cover any brackets or wires that are causing pain or damage to the soft tissues of the mouth.

For more information about your child’s orthodontics, or tips on how to manage orthodontic pain, please contact Firestone Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. Our children’s dentist and orthodontist are located here in Firestone, Colorado.