You got your braces tightened two days ago, and now there’s a sore spot on the inside of your cheek where a bracket keeps rubbing. Or maybe a wire shifted slightly after your last adjustment and it’s been poking the same spot repeatedly. Whatever the cause, cuts and irritation from braces are one of the most common complaints new patients have, and most of them resolve quickly with the right approach.
Why Braces Cause Cuts in Your Mouth
Brackets and wires are hard objects pressed against soft tissue. When you first get braces, or after a significant adjustment, your cheeks, lips, and gums haven’t had time to adapt to the new hardware. The friction creates small abrasions and sores, usually on the inner cheeks or around the lips.
Most patients find this gets better on its own within the first few weeks of treatment. Your mouth adapts over time. But until it does, a few simple steps can protect the tissue and help cuts heal faster.
Start with Orthodontic Wax
The most direct way to handle cuts from braces is to stop the friction at the source. Orthodontic wax does exactly that. Roll a small piece between your fingers until it softens slightly, then press it directly over the bracket or wire that’s causing the irritation. It creates a smooth barrier between the hardware and the soft tissue, giving the sore time to close without constantly reopening.
Wax is available at most pharmacies and is safe to use throughout treatment. Keep a small case with you, especially during the first few months.
Rinse with Warm Salt Water
A salt water rinse is one of the most effective at-home remedies for mouth sores. Mix about half a teaspoon of table salt into a cup of warm water and swish gently for 30 to 60 seconds. Repeat two or three times a day, especially after meals.
Salt water reduces bacteria in the mouth and lowers inflammation around the sore, which helps tissue repair faster. It won’t provide immediate pain relief, but consistent rinsing noticeably shortens how long the sore lasts.
Use an Over-the-Counter Oral Gel for Pain Relief
If the cut is painful enough to make eating or talking uncomfortable, a numbing gel can help. Products containing benzocaine, like Orajel, coat the sore area and reduce sensitivity for an hour or two. Apply a small amount directly to the sore with a clean fingertip or a cotton swab.
These gels don’t accelerate healing, but they make the first few days much more manageable.
Watch What You Eat While You’re Healing
Hard, crunchy, or chewy foods reopen mouth sores and slow healing. While a cut is still fresh, lean toward soft foods for braces: yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, soup, and pasta are all safe choices. Avoid anything that requires hard biting near the irritated spot.
Acidic drinks like citrus juice and soda can sting open sores and slow tissue repair. Water is the best option for the first day or two after a cut develops.
When to Call Dr. Andy
Most cuts from braces heal within a week. If a sore hasn’t improved after 10 to 14 days, or if it seems to be getting worse instead of better, contact the office. The same applies if a wire is visibly poking into your cheek or gum and orthodontic wax isn’t holding it in place.
A shifted wire or broken bracket can cause ongoing damage if it isn’t corrected. Don’t wait it out hoping the problem resolves on its own.
If you’re dealing with a wire that’s causing real pain, a sore that won’t close, or hardware that seems out of place, reach out to Skor Orthodontics. Dr. Andy and the team can take a quick look and address the issue before it becomes a setback for your treatment.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Is your son or daughter still getting used to braces? We can help you understand how to help them adjust – schedule a free consultation! Contact us online or call 440-842-8015
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