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How to Treat Welts Causes by Braces

Braces are designed to straighten your teeth, improve your smile and improve the overall health of your mouth. While braces are designed to do good, they may cause harm along the way. Braces may cause canker sores, abrasions or blisters inside your mouth that can create painful welts. This pain can make it difficult to eat and even painful to talk.

  1. Topical Medication

    • Many oral anesthetic gels are available for purchase over-the-counter. Simply use your finger or a cotton swab to apply a thin layer of the medication over the welts in your mouth. This will provide instant, but brief, pain relief.

    Mouth Rinses

    • Welts in your mouth are often accompanied by cuts and sores. Using a prescription mouthwash -- prescribed by your dentist -- can help reduce pain and inflammation in your mouth. Prescription mouthwashes often have antibiotic properties that can help heal any infections in your mouth as well as decrease the healing time of your cuts and sores.

    Dental Wax

    • The orthodontist often provides dental wax when you receive your braces. You can also obtain dental wax when you visit your dentist for checkups. Dental wax is a thin, often mint-flavored wax that can be used to protect your mouth from your braces. Break off a small piece of wax and place it on your braces in areas that rub your tongue, cheek or lips. Dental wax is sticky, but can easily be removed with your fingers or a toothbrush.

    Mouth Guards

    • If you participate in contact sports, a hit to the mouth may result in welts due to your braces. You should protect your mouth by using a mouth guard while participating in sports. If you are hit in the mouth, you may also experience broken wires or brackets, which can add to your pain. You can purchase a moldable mouth guard from your local sporting good store. Heat the mouth guard and allow it to form to your mouth for maximum protection and comfort.

    Over-the-Counter Medications

    • Over-the-counter pain relievers can help reduce pain caused by welts in your mouth. Take the pain relievers as indicated and make sure not to exceed the recommended dosages per day. Over-the-counter medications can also help reduce some of the welts in your mouth.

    Considerations

    • If you are experiencing welts caused by braces, take a look in the mirror. Visually inspect your braces for signs of broken wires or loose brackets. If you notice something that doesn't look right, contact your orthodontist. Often, a simple adjustment of your braces can help reduce welts.

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