When you begin wearing braces, the quality of your sleep may suffer in the initial days or weeks. Generally, this is simply because your gums and cheeks aren’t yet used to the dental apparatus being in your mouth. A certain amount of pain and discomfort is completely normal during this period. However, there are things you can do to alleviate the soreness and catch more Z’s.
If you’re considering orthodontics, give the team at Forest Lawn Dental Centre a call—your premier source for affordable dental braces in Calgary. Keep reading below for useful tips on sleeping comfortably with your new braces.
Dealing with chafing from brackets and wires
It’s normal for brackets and wires to irritate your cheeks and gums during first week of wearing your new braces. The inside of your mouth tends to be sensitive, but it will quickly toughen in response to wearing braces.
In the meantime, you can use dental wax to make your braces less abrasive. In most cases, your dentist will provide you with the dental wax. Apply it over your brackets, and any protruding pieces of wire, before going to bed. This does a lot in terms of preventing irritation. (And don’t worry if you accidentally swallow some of the wax—it’s completely non-toxic.)
In addition, you should be mindful of your sleeping position. If you sleep on your side or on your stomach—and thereby with your face sideways on your pillow—your braces will rub against your cheek. Sleeping on your back is the better option.
Dealing with pain caused by teeth grinding
Teeth grinding and wearing braces don’t mix. In fact, clamping your teeth down on components of your braces can cause a good deal of pain—even enough to wake you up!
If you grind your teeth in your sleep, you’ll probably need a nightguard, a flexible mouthguard that protects your teeth. It’s best to talk with your dentist about this option in advance so that you’re wearing your night guard from the very beginning.
Avoiding discomfort by cleaning and caring for your teeth
It’s best to care for your braces properly by effectively cleaning them every night as per your dentist's recommendations. If you haven’t cleaned your teeth and braces well, you may be inclined to dislodge the remaining food particles with your tongue as you lie in bed. However, your brackets and wires can irritate your tongue, especially when you’ve just started wearing braces.
Speak with us today about Orthodontics in Calgary at Forest Lawn Dental Centre
If you’re thinking of getting braces for yourself or for a family member, talk with the dental team at Forest Lawn Dental Centre in Calgary. Our experienced family dentist will work with you to create a dental care plan tailored to your individual needs— Contact us today!