How to Prevent Cuts from Braces?

Question

What advice or devices are available to stop the pain and cuts from metal braces?

Brian Povolny, DDS, PhD · Answer

In general the tissues inside your mouth will toughen up after a few weeks and the braces will not poke or cut after that.  Until then you may place wax on the braces to smooth out the offending area.  This allows your cheek tissue a chance to develop a callous which will protect it from future irritation.  You may also want to have your orthodontist look at the braces and ascertain whether a particular bracket needs to be bend in a little to keep it from poking your cheek.

Brad Lockhart, DDS · Answer

If the braces were recently placed you need to develop a "callus" that keep your lips from getting beat up by the metal braces. If you've already been wearing the braces awhile and you're still having problems you can use dental wax to sofen the impact. There are also various types of plastic attachments that will actually hook onto the brackets and wires that will also soften the impact of metal braces. If you are getting the lips beat up from physical activity you should be wearing an athletic mouthguard as protection.

	Good luck!

How to Prevent Cuts from Braces?

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How to Prevent Cuts from Braces?

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