If you have a child who will see an orthodontist in Surrey and get dental braces for the first time, you would want to look for various ways to help him or her adjust to the treatment faster.

Look for a good orthodontist in Surrey who will be able to explain the process to your child and what he or she can do to mitigate pain. The orthodontist in Surrey can recommend taking painkillers to alleviate your child’s pain and discomfort during those first few days.

The following tips can also help make the adjustment process much easier:

1. Ask your child to gargle with lukewarm water.

Put some salt in the lukewarm water to turn it into a saltwater rinse. This will help soothe the aching gums. It can also help prevent mouth sores from appearing, which is often common for people wearing braces. The metal brackets can chafe the inside of the mouth and can cause sores to appear. The salt in the water has natural disinfectant properties, which can reduce the appearance of mouth sores.

2. Prepare soft food for your child.

It can be hard for your child to chew solid food during the first week of treatment. So, make sure you prepare soft food that will still be comforting and filling for the child. You can provide soups and stews. Go for ground meat instead of big chunks of meat. Pasta and bread are also good options as they are easier to chew. Avoid giving anything that will require more chewing and biting. Cut the food into smaller portions to make them easier to chew.

3. Give your child a warm compress.

The pain can be quite unbearable without the painkiller. A warm compress can help mitigate that pain. You can provide your child with a warm compress to help facilitate better circulation and reduce irritation in the gums.

4. Give your child painkillers when necessary.

Ask the dentist what painkillers your child can take during those first few days of treatment. This will help relieve pain and inflammation.

So, these are some of the things that you can do. Don’t worry because this will pass and eventually, your child will be able to eat and chew without feeling discomfort. Talk to your child about these things so he or she will know what to expect.