“Besides the common gingivitis often seen with braces, the majority of orthodontic patients (an estimated 90%) have experienced mouth ulcers. This condition is especially common in the initial stages after braces are first installed. So, why do braces cause mouth ulcers? And more importantly, how should you treat mouth ulcers and how can you effectively prevent them throughout your orthodontic journey?
Recognizing Mouth Ulcers While Wearing Braces
If you suddenly feel pain and discomfort in your mouth, especially when eating, carefully check your oral mucosa. It could be a sign of a mouth ulcer. Mouth ulcers occur when the oral mucosa is damaged, leading to painful sores that affect daily eating and communication.
You can easily recognize the symptoms of mouth ulcers when wearing braces by examining your oral cavity yourself. Look for small red spots, typically 1mm to 3mm in size. These spots may already be ulcerated or just swollen and red. You might only have one mouth ulcer, or several might appear at the same time.
Initially, mouth ulcer lesions are usually small, just red swellings causing mild pain. However, if not detected and treated promptly, they can spread, become larger, and much more painful. Common locations for mouth ulcers when wearing braces include the inner cheeks, inner lips, tongue, gums, and palate.”
Why Do Braces Often Cause Mouth Ulcers?
The causes of mouth sores when wearing braces include:
Soft Tissue Damage from Brackets
When you first get braces, your lips and cheeks haven’t adapted to the brackets yet, leading to a feeling of obstruction for the first 1-2 days. Because proper movement hasn’t been adjusted, your lips and cheeks can rub against the brackets, causing soft tissue damage. These abrasions create a favorable environment for bacteria to enter, leading to inflammation and sores. If not properly cared for, the inflammation and sores can spread, making the mouth ulcers prolonged and more uncomfortable.
Nutritional Deficiency Weakens Immunity
During the initial stage of braces, the pain makes it difficult for many people to eat, especially limiting their consumption of green vegetables, fruits, or micronutrient-rich foods. This can lead to a deficiency of important nutrients such as iron, zinc, folate, vitamin B, and vitamin C, weakening the immune system and increasing the risk of mouth ulcers.
Stress and Braces Material Allergy
In addition to the two main causes, stress during orthodontic treatment can also weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to oral mucosal ulcers. Furthermore, some individuals may be allergic to the bracket material, especially metal or ceramic braces, causing irritation and leading to mouth ulcers.
What to Do When You Get Mouth Ulcers While Wearing Braces?
Braces can cause mouth ulcers, leading to discomfort and affecting daily activities. So, what should you do if you get mouth ulcers while wearing braces? Don’t worry, this article will provide you with effective solutions to reduce mouth ulcer symptoms and make your orthodontic treatment more comfortable.
Oral hygiene plays a crucial role in preventing mouth ulcers from worsening.
- Brush thoroughly after every meal: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Focus on cleaning between teeth and around the brackets.
- Rinse with saline solution: Saline solution helps disinfect, soothe, and promote the healing process of ulcers.
- Use antibacterial mouthwash: Antibacterial mouthwash helps eliminate harmful bacteria in the oral cavity, preventing infection.
- Other oral hygiene measures: Use dental floss or a water flosser to clean between teeth.
A proper diet can help reduce pain and speed up the healing of mouth ulcers:
- Add green vegetables and fruits: Increase your intake of green vegetables and fruits, especially cooling varieties like gotu kola, oranges, tangerines, yogurt, winter melon, bitter melon, and tomatoes.
- Prioritize vitamin-rich foods: Foods rich in Vitamin B, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C help support cell regeneration, allowing oral lesions to heal faster.
- Prepare easy-to-swallow dishes: You can process green vegetables and fruits into juices, smoothies, or soups for easier consumption.
- Limit spicy, hot, and glutinous foods: Avoid spicy and hot foods, as well as sticky rice dishes, as they can worsen mouth ulcers.
- Drink plenty of water: Staying hydrated helps maintain a stable pH level in the oral cavity, reducing acidity and thereby alleviating discomfort caused by mouth ulcers.
In addition to changing your diet and oral hygiene, you can apply some of the following tips:
- Use mouth ulcer gel: Specialized mouth ulcer gels or medications have antiseptic, pain-relieving, and wound-healing properties.
- Rinse frequently with saline solution: Rinse with saline solution several times a day to maintain oral hygiene and reduce pain.
If mouth ulcers cause significant pain, affecting eating and sleeping, you can use over-the-counter pain relievers and fever reducers. However, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any medication.
How to Reduce Mouth Ulcers While Wearing Braces
Braces are an effective solution for correcting misaligned teeth, but they come with the risk of mouth ulcers due to friction between the brackets, archwires, and soft tissues in the oral cavity. To minimize this condition, you can apply the following methods:
Regular Braces Adjustment
After getting braces, tooth movement can cause brackets and archwires to no longer fit perfectly with the jaw, leading to soft tissue damage. Therefore, regular follow-up visits to the dental clinic are crucial. The dentist will check and adjust the braces if necessary, and also advise on effective ways to prevent mouth ulcers.
Appropriate Diet
A suitable diet will help you limit mouth ulcers while wearing braces. Incorporate soft and nutritious foods such as:
- Milk and dairy products (fresh milk, cheese, yogurt)
- Cooked vegetables and fruits
- Whole grains, oatmeal
- Eggs, peanut butter, soups, soft-cooked meats – these foods not only help reduce the risk of mouth ulcers but also support the recovery of soft tissues in the oral cavity.
Using Orthodontic Wax
In the initial days of wearing braces, you should use orthodontic wax to cover the brackets, which helps reduce friction with your oral cavity. This is a simple yet highly effective measure for preventing mouth ulcers and reducing discomfort while you are getting used to your orthodontic appliance.
Proper Oral Hygiene
Maintaining good oral hygiene will help prevent bacteria from attacking mouth ulcer lesions. You should:
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush gently.
- Use antibacterial mouthwash.
- Limit spicy, overly sour, or sugary foods.
Mouth ulcers while wearing braces can be uncomfortable, but they are entirely preventable by regularly attending follow-up appointments, adjusting the braces framework, using orthodontic wax, and adopting an appropriate diet. Follow these guidelines correctly to ensure a smooth orthodontic process and achieve the best results!
