If you’ve ever had braces, then you have also probably struggled with ulcers that they can cause. Braces are a wonderful solution when it comes to transforming smiles by straightening teeth, however, they do come with some challenges. Fortunately, your New Orleans dentist has some great suggestions that can help you prevent and treat mouth sores.
How to Beat Ulcers if You Have Braces
Not many people would say that they just loved having braces. Let’s be honest, they’re not the most fun dental apparatus, but the payoff of a straighter smile is so worth it! One of the most common challenges that comes with wearing braces is that the brackets and wires can cause small lesions on the soft tissues of your cheeks and the insides of your lips. Once this happens, those lesions are susceptible to the millions of tiny bacteria living in your mouth, and those bacteria cause a white sore to form that is referred to as an ulcer. Thankfully, there are ways you can prevent these sores and treat them if you do end up dealing with them.
Apply Silicon Covers or Orthodontic Wax
They are just what they sound like. Orthodontic wax may be a bit more archaic than silicon covers, but it is still effective. The wax can be divided into small portions and pressed onto the brackets where it will stick and block the sharp portions of metal from cutting the inside of your mouth. Similarly, silicon covers literally rest over the brackets. They are a bit bulkier and easier to spot than wax, but much better than dealing with painful sores in your mouth.
Rinse with Medicinal Mouthwash
There are plenty of over-the-counter mouth rinses that help to not only dull the pain caused by mouth ulcers, but they also work to remove bacteria from the area so that the sore can heal more quickly. Your dentist will probably also be able to recommend the best option.
Practice Regular Oral Hygiene
Brushing and flossing your teeth on a daily basis is the best way to keep your mouth clean and take care of your overall oral health. The less plaque and bacteria that are allowed to hang around in your mouth, the less likely you are to develop ulcers at any point in your life.
Drink Plenty of Water
Water is absolutely necessary when it comes to keeping your overall health in check, but did you know it also helps your mouth stay healthy? The amount of saliva your mouth produces is directly related to your body’s level of hydration. Saliva works to help remove bacteria from your mouth. If you are dehydrated, bacteria can thrive more easily and any small lesion that happens to the soft tissues of your mouth is more likely to become an ulcer.
The worst part about an ulcer caused by braces is that it is much more difficult for it to heal, due to the fact that the bracket will keep aggravating it. Make sure to use orthodontic wax to protect the sore area, and rinse your mouth often with an antibacterial mouthwash.
About the Practice
Orthodontic treatment simply doesn’t get better than what you’ll receive at Dr. Robert A. Camenzuli’s dental practice in New Orleans. He is compassionate, caring, and prioritizes the comfort and education of each of his patients. With years of experience, training, and continuing to grow his skills and knowledge, he is able to provide the highest quality of treatment. Do you need braces? Schedule a consultation online or call (504) 895-3400.