Everyone expects an adjustment period when getting braces. You know they will feel strange in your mouth at first, you may have to make adjustments to your diet to steer clear of certain foods, and oral hygiene will look a bit different than before.
One thing many people don’t think about is being able to fall asleep and stay asleep when you first get braces. It seems like nowadays you hear more and more about how important sleep is for health and healing. So you definitely want to get the best sleep possible while your braces work to shift your teeth into alignment.
But what happens when braces discomfort keeps you up at night? Let us explore some proven, practical ways to ease nighttime discomfort and help you get the restful sleep you need while your smile transforms.
Understanding the Adjustment Period
Orthodontic treatment works by applying continuous, gentle force to your teeth. This force slightly and temporarily loosens teeth from their supporting structure to move it into the correct position. As this happens, your body is in a constant state of healing itself. In addition to simply having a strange and new structure of brackets and wires in your mouth, the process naturally causes inflammation and soreness. Furthermore, when you first get braces, until the soft tissue inside your mouth toughens in response to contact with your braces, the friction from the hardware can cause minor abrasions.
Rest assured that these unpleasant sensations won’t last forever. Mild discomfort is normal and typically only lasts for about 24 to 48 hours after your braces are placed or your wires are tightened.
In fact, you might not notice it that much during the day. With work, school, and other tasks to distract you, you may quickly forget you have braces. However, when you lie down to rest without distraction, the discomfort can become the only thing your brain can focus on. Fortunately, this intense adjustment period is temporary, and you can take active steps to minimize the disruption to your sleep.
Managing Nighttime Orthodontic Discomfort
Being proactive about pain management in the hours leading up to bedtime is the most effective way to guarantee a peaceful night’s sleep. Try incorporating these simple strategies into your evening routine:
- Eat a soft dinner: Chewing tough or crunchy foods adds strain to sore ligaments. Stick to soft foods like mashed potatoes, soup, or noodles to avoid overworking your jaw in the evening.
- Time your pain relief: Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, like ibuprofen, about thirty minutes before you plan to sleep. This allows the medicine to take full effect just as you are settling in for the night.
- Rinse with warm saltwater: Swishing a mixture of warm water and a teaspoon of salt for sixty seconds is naturally soothing. The saltwater draws out fluid from inflamed tissues and helps heal any minor cuts or scrapes inside your cheeks before you sleep.
- Apply orthodontic wax liberally: If a sharp edge is particularly bothersome, roll a small bit of wax into a ball and press it firmly over the offending brackets or wires just before bed.
- Numb the area with cold: If pain is significant and all else fails, holding an ice pack against your cheek for fifteen minutes before bed reduces inflammation and temporarily numbs the area.
Choosing the Right Sleeping Position
How you position your body heavily can influence how much your braces bother you at night. If you normally sleep on your stomach or your side, you might find that your usual position puts pressure on the side of your face, pushing your lips and cheeks directly against the sharp edges of your brackets.
If this is an issue, make a conscious effort to sleep flat on your back. Sleeping on your back keeps your face entirely free from external pressure. If you struggle to stay on your back, try building a small barricade of pillows around your sides to prevent yourself from rolling over in the middle of the night.
Additionally, when you lie completely flat, blood flow naturally rushes to your head and jaw, which can increase the feeling of throbbing and pressure. Prop an extra pillow under your head to elevate it above your heart and reduce the blood flow to your mouth.
Still Having Trouble Sleeping With Braces?
If you are experiencing severe, persistent discomfort that keeps you awake for several days, it may be time to discuss it with your provider. Reach out to our office today to schedule a visit.
