209-575-5888If you are wearing braces and experiencing canker sores in the mouth, you are not alone. Although canker sores can show up anytime, they often appear when you are first wearing braces.
What do canker sores look like? Canker sores are white (or yellow) shallow ulcers surrounded by a red border. They crop up as the soft oral tissues in your mouth may be irritated for one to two weeks while they adjust to the braces in your mouth.
Dr. Joti Kaler and our team in Modesto, California are happy to share some tips today to help you when you have canker sores.
While your mouth is adjusting to wearing new braces, dental wax can help! Dental wax, or orthodontic wax, protects the oral tissues from irritation so they can heal. All you need to do is take a small piece of wax, roll it into a ball, and adhere it onto the parts of the braces causing you discomfort.
Of course, orthodontic wax is also helpful for preventing oral sores if you keep it on those areas where the braces are rubbing until the oral tissues have toughened up a bit. And should you ever have a broken wire or rubbing from loose bands, you can end up with a sore mouth, tongue or canker sores unless you apply dental wax.
You can also use ointment to help with the pain and irritation. Just apply a tiny bit of over-the-counter numbing ointment on the sore, and periodically use a salt water rinse to keep bacteria away from the affected area. If needed, over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen, can help until the area heals.
Last but not least, it is best to avoid irritating your sensitive oral tissues by staying away from hot, spicy, or acidic foods until your mouth adjusts to your new braces.
For more information, Dr. Joti Kaler and our Champion Orthodontics team are here for all of your oral care needs. You can speak with a member of our staff with any questions, concerns, or to schedule a visit. Please call 209-575-5888 today!