Understanding what causes mouth sores from braces, and knowing how to prevent them will help keep you happy and pain-free until your braces are ready to come off. Here’s a comprehensive guide by our team of orthodontic specialists.
What Are Mouth Sores From Braces & What Causes Them?
Mouth sores from braces or “canker sores”, tend to be small and uncomfortable. They can be attributed to the new irritation due to the friction of your braces rubbing against the inside of your lips and cheeks. As your mouth becomes more acclimated to your braces, the sores typically will appear less frequently or stop appearing altogether. They generally heal within two weeks.
It is important to remember that the precise cause of mouth sores isn’t necessarily completely understood. Common triggers that don’t involve braces include small cuts, abrasions or accidentally biting the inside of your mouth. Sometimes these cuts aren’t caused by accidents or injury, but by the food you eat. Rough foods that are hard and abrasive can cause enough irritation to trigger sores.
You might also be surprised to hear that stress is correlated to the incidence of mouth ulcers, just like stress can cause teeth grinding!
How Long Do Canker Sores Last & Will They Come Back?
Mouth sores caused by braces, such as canker sores, typically last two weeks. These sores usually heal on their own over time and do not require medical treatment unless they are particularly severe, unusually large, or occur frequently.
While mouth sores can reappear, they tend to become less frequent as your mouth adjusts to your new braces. Once your mouth is fully accustomed, other factors may still trigger canker sores, but your braces themselves will likely become a less significant factor in causing irritation.
Preventing Braces Sores
If you begin to experience mouth sores, the first step should always be speaking with your orthodontist. They should be able to help identify if there’s a good solution. This is particularly important to help with healing because further irritation can cause the sores to heal slowly and makes them more prone to infection.
There are a few different types of braces, depending on which type you have, the sores may not be related to your braces at all! If your orthodontist agrees that your braces may be triggering mouth sores, it’s likely they will recommend one of the solutions here (these are also the solutions we recommend to our patients!):
Orthodontic Wax
Orthodontic wax is made from natural substances like beeswax or paraffin wax. Apply it directly to the brackets of your braces near the problem areas. This will lessen the effects of your braces rubbing against the inside of your mouth, as well as offering relief from the irritation.
Dental wax can be applied at any time of day, including before bed. Many patients find that applying the wax before going to sleep can help prevent distractions from their new braces, in addition to reducing the chance of sores developing overnight.
You’ll quickly find that this wax frequently breaks down over time. It’s necessary to reapply the wax as it begins to flake off. If you’re worried about accidentally swallowing the wax, don’t be! Orthodontic wax is designed to be non-toxic so it’s perfectly safe to swallow in small quantities.
Most pharmacies will have orthodontic wax available, so if you run out, it won’t be hard to find. The wax is packaged in a way that’s easy to travel with, so make sure to keep some in your purse or bag in case you need it!
Dental Silicone
Dental silicone is another option for preventing mouth sores due to braces. These silicone strips are similar to dental wax; once applied, the silicone creates a protective barrier between your braces and the inside of your mouth. The big benefit of dental silicone versus dental wax is that it lasts longer. While dental wax requires frequent reapplications, silicone will not flake off.
However, there are some downsides to dental silicone, which is why orthodontic wax is still quite popular. The biggest problem patients find with silicone is the difficulty of applying it to their brackets. Making the silicone stick requires your brackets to be completely dry, which can be tricky. You’ll find that getting used to applying dental silicone takes patience and practice. It’s also more expensive, so if you are particularly prone to canker sores, you might find it less cost effective.
Keep in mind that neither of these solutions are suitable to protect your braces for sports, for that, we recommend getting an orthodontic mouth guard.
Proper Dental Hygiene
Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled brush and floss regularly to keep your mouth clean and free of foods that might trigger a mouth sore. In addition to that, using mouthwash daily can help cleanse your mouth tissues.
Drink Water
A dry mouth can make your gums and cheeks more vulnerable to braces sores. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day keeps your mouth moist and reduces friction from your braces. It can also reduce the risk of painful bites.
See Your Orthodontist Regularly
Routine visits to your orthodontist ensure that your braces are properly adjusted and that any potential issues are addressed early. Your orthodontist can identify problem areas, offer protective solutions like orthodontic wax, and provide treatment options if you experience frequent or severe mouth sores.
How to Treat Mouth Sores From Braces?
Here are some tips on how to treat mouth sores from braces by our team of orthodontic specialists.
#1. Rinse with Salt Water & Hydrogen Peroxide
Mix two teaspoons of salt with equal parts water and 3% hydrogen peroxide and rinse for about 30 seconds. The pain from your canker sores can be minimized through the anti-inflammatory effect of this quick, homemade rinse. Another benefit is that it can help prevent infection too! Just make sure not to swallow the solution.
#2. Rinse with Baking Soda & Water
Similar to the tip above, you can create a rinse that is one teaspoon of baking soda and one-half cup of water. Baking soda is an alkaline that neutralizes the acids that cause irritation and can also kill bacteria to prevent the sore from getting worse.
#3. Over-the-Counter Mouth Rinse
Your orthodontist can recommend a specialized rinse that is designed to not only help reduce inflammation and risk of infection in your mouth sores but will also accelerate the speed at which it heals. Many of these rinses are available for purchase at any pharmacy.
#4. Change Your Diet
When attempting to treat a mouth sore from braces, it is very important to avoid foods that can make them worse. Spicy, acidic, and hard, crunchy foods will exacerbate the problem. Not only does this slow the healing process, but it’s likely to cause severe pain when these foods come into contact with an open sore!
#5 Tea Bags
A natural remedy for treating mouth sores is placing a warm, wet tea bag directly on the sore. Tea contains anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties that can help reduce pain and speed up the healing process. Herbal teas, such as chamomile, can be particularly soothing.
We do not recommend replacing actual medication with these natural remedies.
#6 Pain Relievers
Over-the-counter and topical pain relievers can help manage discomfort from mouth sores. Common oral pain medications include acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen. Additionally, topical treatments like Orabase and Anbesol can be applied directly to the sore throughout the day to provide targeted relief.
Always consult with your orthodontist to determine the best pain reliever for your case.
#7 Reduce Stress
Managing stress is an important part of preventing and treating mouth and tongue sores from braces. In fact, people who are prone to developing mouth sores often find that stress is a major cause.
#8 Visit Your Orthodontist
If you suspect that your mouth sores are caused by your braces, you may need an adjustment to prevent further irritation. If a sore does not heal, worsens, or becomes excessively painful, schedule a visit with your orthodontist for professional guidance and treatment options.
Schedule a Free Consultation
If you’re experiencing mouth sores or other irritation from your braces, we can help! Our team of experienced orthodontic specialists is ready to provide the care and solutions you need for a comfortable treatment experience.
Contact us online or call 440-842-8015 to schedule an appointment. We are located in Parma, OH, and look forward to assisting you on your orthodontic journey!
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about mouth sores from braces.
Are My Braces Causing Canker Sores?
Your new braces may rub against your cheeks, lips, or tongue, leading to small abrasions that trigger sores. Over time, as your mouth adjusts to the braces, sores may become less frequent. However, once your mouth is fully accustomed, other factors may still trigger canker sores.
How Do You Get Rid Of Mouth Sores ASAP?
To speed up healing, try rinsing with salt water (or with over-the-counter mouth rinse), avoid eating spicy, acidic, and hard, crunchy foods, and reduce stress.
Is Putting Salt On A Mouth Sore Good?
Directly applying salt to a mouth sore can be painful and may further irritate the area. A better option is to rinse with warm salt water, which helps clean the sore, reduce bacteria, and promote healing without causing unnecessary discomfort.
