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You should avoid any foods that require lots of chewing. Eat a soft diet for the first 24 hours after your braces are tightened. Stick to foods such as Jello, pudding, mashed potatoes, applesauce, soups and smoothies. If you must eat something that has to be chewed, cut it into small pieces to reduce the amount of chewing you have to do. Use a small spoon or fork (preferably made out of plastic or wood) while eating to avoid hitting your teeth with utensils. You can use ice packs or drink cold water. Use a gel or soft ice pack. Apply this to your cheeks for 15 minutes. Drink plenty of cold water with a straw. The cold from the water will help to numb your teeth and reduce the swelling in your gums. Do not eat or drink warm substances immediately after drinking icy water; this can damage your braces and make your teeth hurt even more. Use a recommended mouthwash or salt water. Mix a teaspoon of table salt into a glass of lukewarm water. Swish the salt water around your mouth for 60 seconds. This may sting any scrapes or sores you have from your braces at first, but will help to keep these clean and speed up healing. Do the same with any mouthwash recommended by your dentist. Using a regular toothbrush might cause more discomfort. Remember to brush your teeth and braces at least twice a day. Use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth, such as Sensodyne. Sensodyne can help to reduce sensitivity and pain in your teeth due to tightened braces. This will protect you cheeks, lips and gums from scrapes and cuts. Ask your dentist or orthodontist for a supply of dental wax. You can also buy this at pharmacies. Apply a small amount of the wax to brackets and protruding wires in the morning after brushing your teeth. Remove any wax before brushing your teeth at night. Discard any used wax as it builds up bacteria. Try to sleep without dental wax on, but if you have a very troublesome wire it is ok to use this product at night. Keep your dental wax with you during the day in case you need to re-apply a small amount. You should do this especially if your teeth are sensitive to cold things. In general, this gel can help with cavity prevention and tooth sensitivity. Sometimes you need a prescription for brush-on fluoride gel, so you should talk to your dentist about it before you use it. There are also fluoride gels that your dentist can apply to your teeth about twice a year. Talk to your dentist about this option if you're concern about the sensitivity of your teeth or the possibility of getting cavities.
Modify your diet. Apply cold to your face and teeth to reduce pain and swelling. Rinse your mouth frequently. Brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush. Use dental wax on any wires or brackets that are scraping your mouth. Apply a fluoride gel three times a week.