Braces can straighten your teeth and give you a wonderful smile, but they can hurt you sometimes. So, question is, Can braces cut inside the mouth?
When you first get braces, brackets can rub against your cheek, gums, and lips and sometimes, cut inside your mouth. This usually goes away as your mouth gets used to the brackets and wires. In addition, braces can cut your mouth, if the archwire is popped out of brackets or a ligature wire is poking them.
Moreover, after getting new braces, your mouth feels a little sore because your teeth are moving and your mouth needs to adjust.
Once your mouth adjusts, the soreness should go away. However, if your braces are not fitted properly, they can cut the inside of your mouth.
In the meantime, you can take some measurements to help heal the cut quickly and prevent discomfort.
In this article, you’ll know how braces can cut your cheek, gums, or lips, what you can do if it’s rubbing or cutting inside your mouth and how to prevent cuts from braces.
Is it normal to have cuts in your mouth from braces?
Cuts in your mouth from braces are not uncommon and can be caused by a number of things. The most common reason is that the brackets and wires of your braces can rub against the inside of your mouth, causing irritation and eventually cuts.
In some cases, the cuts may be caused by misaligned teeth or by food getting caught in your braces.
If your braces are really bothering you or if you have any sores in your mouth, you should see your orthodontist so they can adjust your braces. You may also want to try using a soft toothbrush or mouthwash to help ease the soreness.
While braces can cut your mouth, they are not dangerous and will not cause any lasting damage.
You can prevent this problem and have a successful orthodontic treatment with the right care.
How long do cuts in your mouth last for braces?
Most cuts in your mouth caused by braces will heal within a week or two. However, some may take longer to heal depending on the severity of the cut. If you have an infection, it is important to see your orthodontist so they can prescribe antibiotics.
Why do braces cut your mouth?
Take a look at the causes why braces cut your cheek, gums, or lips.
1. Wires popping out
If the wires on your braces are popping or sticking out, it can cause them to poke and prod at the soft tissues of your mouth, eventually leading to cuts. Braces wire may poke your mouth for various reasons.
It can happen when the wire comes loose from the bracket or brackets come off.
Sometimes, it can occur when you recently had an adjustment made to your braces, causing the wire to become more prominent.
You might also have missed a spot while brushing, allowing food and bacteria to build up around the wire and eventually push it out.
To avoid this, make sure to check your wires regularly and bend them back into place if they start sticking out. Moreover, be careful, when you eat and brush.
2. Incorrect braces placement
A common cause of cuts from braces is incorrect placement. If the brackets and wires are not positioned properly on your teeth, they can rub against the soft tissues of your mouth, causing irritation and eventually cuts.
This is why it’s so important to have your braces placed by a qualified orthodontist. An experienced orthodontist will ensure that your braces are placed correctly to avoid any irritation or cuts.
Also, be sure to consult with your orthodontist to ensure that your braces are properly placed.
3. Sharp edges on braces
Another common cause of cuts from braces is sharp edges on the brackets or wires. If the brackets or wires have any rough or sharp edges, they can easily cut the soft tissues of your mouth.
This is usually caused by a poorly fitting brace or by incorrect placement of the wires.
While braces are made of smooth, rounded metal brackets and wires, sometimes the edges can become sharp due to breakage or poor maintenance. When this happens, the sharp edges can cut your cheek, gums, or lips.
Your mouth may become damaged and irritated if the edges of your braces are rough and rub against it.
To avoid this, be sure to consult with your orthodontist about any sharp edges on your braces. They will be able to file down or replace any brackets or wires that are causing cuts.
4. Misaligned Teeth
Misaligned teeth are another cause of cuts from braces. If your teeth are not aligned correctly, the brackets and wires can rub against your lips and cheeks, causing cuts. It can happen especially when your one tooth is positioned more closely to your cheek or lips.
5. Braces trapped food
Food that becomes wedged in the space between your braces and teeth might irritate your gums and potentially end up cutting them.
6. Loose bracket
If your braces bracket gets loose and you don’t cover it with orthodontic wax, it can rub and cut your cheek, lips, or gums.
6. Infections
If you have an infection in your mouth, it can cause the tissues to become irritated and inflamed. This can make them more susceptible to cuts from braces or other objects.
7. Improper placement of elastics
Elastics are small rubber bands that are used to help move the teeth into their proper positions. They are attached to the brackets on the braces and put under tension to provide the force needed to move the teeth.
These rubber bands sometimes can be placed too close to the cheek and rub against it. This can also cut your cheek.
8. Brushing Carelessly with Braces
Brushing your teeth too hard or carelessly can also cause cuts from braces. If you brush too hard, the bristles of your toothbrush can rub against the brackets and wires of your braces, causing wires to come out or be displaced. It can result in a cut.
And if you’re not careful when you brush, you can accidentally poke yourself in the mouth with the toothbrush, which can also cause cuts.
So, always be careful when you brush your teeth with braces on your teeth.
9. Trauma from chewing hard foods
Another possible cause of cuts from braces is trauma from chewing hard foods. If you eat hard foods that require a lot of chewing, such as nuts or candy, the force of your teeth can put pressure on your brackets and wires, causing braces wire to pop off or dislodge.
This can rub against the soft tissues of your mouth. This can lead to cuts on your cheeks, gums, or lips.
Chewing on hard candy or ice also can damage your braces or cause irritation to your gums.
Eating something hard, such as a popcorn kernel, can also get stuck in your braces and cause a cut
So, it’s important to eat braces-friendly food.
10. Trauma from biting lip or tongue
Another potential cause of cuts from braces is trauma from biting your tongue or lip. When you have braces, it’s very easy to accidentally bite your tongue or lip.
This can happen when you’re eating, drinking, talking, or even just moving your mouth. When you bite your lip or tongue, it can cause cuts, bruising, and swelling.
To avoid this, be sure to be careful when you’re eating, drinking, or talking. Pay attention to how your mouth is moving and be careful not to bite your lip or tongue.
11. Playing with your braces
It is important to remember that braces are not toys. Although they may look fun to play with, messing around with your braces can cause serious damage to your mouth.
One of the most common ways that people end up with cuts from their braces is by playing with them.
If you try to bend the wires or move the brackets around, you can end up poking yourself in the cheek, gums, or lips. This can cause cuts, sores, and other types of damage.
12. Not wearing a mouthguard while playing sports
If you wear braces and play contact sports, it is important to wear a mouthguard. A mouthguard will protect your teeth, lips, and cheeks from being injured by the braces. Without a mouthguard, you are at risk of getting cuts and other injuries if you are hit in the mouth.
13. Chewing on hard objects
Chewing on hard objects, like pens and pencils, can also cause cuts from braces. If you bite down on something hard, the wire of your braces can cut into your cheek or gum.
14. Poor Oral hygiene
If you don’t take good care of your teeth and gums while you have braces, it can lead to a build-up of plaque and tartar. This can cause your gums to become inflamed and can eventually lead to cuts from the braces.
15. Accidents
Accidents can also cause cuts from braces. If you fall and hit your mouth on something, the wire of your braces can cut into your cheek or gum.
16. Poorly fitted retainers or mouthguards
Retainers and mouthguards are often used in conjunction with braces to help keep the teeth in their new, correct position. However, if these devices are not fitted properly, they can also cause cuts on the cheek, gums, or lips.
17. Oral piercings
Oral piercings can also cause cuts on the cheek, gums, or lips. If you have an oral piercing, the jewelry can rub against your braces and cause irritation. In some cases, the piercing may even become caught on the braces, which can tear the tissue and cause bleeding.
What to do if braces are rubbing or cutting inside the mouth?
If you’re experiencing cuts in your mouth from braces, there are a few things you can do to ease the discomfort and help heal the cuts.
1. Put orthodontic wax on the rough edges of braces or wire.
Orthodontic wax is a type of wax that can be used to cover up sharp edges on braces or wires. This will help to protect the inside of your mouth from cuts. To use, simply take a small piece of wax and press it onto the sharp edge.
Know how to use the wax.
2. Use a lip balm or ointment.
If your lips are chapped or dry, you can use a lip balm or ointment to help soothe them. This will also help to protect your lips from cuts.
3. Rinse your mouth with warm salt water.
Warm salt water can help to cleanse the cuts and promote healing. It can also help to reduce inflammation and pain. To use, mix together 1 teaspoon of salt with 8 ounces of warm water. Rinse your mouth with the solution for 30 seconds, then spit it out. Repeat this several times a day until the cuts are healed.
4. Fix popped out or pokey braces wire.
If you have a wire that is poking out or has come out of your braces, you can try to fix it yourself. First, try to push the wire back into place with a cotton swab. If that doesn’t work, you can use orthodontic wax to help hold the wire in place. If you can’t fix the wire, make an appointment with your orthodontist to have it fixed.
5. Apply a cold compress to the outside of your mouth.
A cold compress can help to reduce pain and swelling. To use, wrap an ice pack or frozen peas in a towel and hold it against the outside of your mouth for 10-15 minutes. Repeat this several times a day as needed.
6. Drink cold water.
Drinking cold water can help to reduce pain and swelling. It can also help to cleanse the cuts and promote healing.
To use, mix together 1 teaspoon of salt with 8 ounces of cold water. Rinse your mouth with the solution for 30 seconds, then spit it out. Repeat this several times a day until the cuts are healed.
7. Take over-the-counter pain medication if necessary.
If you’re in pain, you can take over-the-counter pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. However, be sure to consult with your orthodontist before taking any medication.
8. See your orthodontist if the cuts don’t heal or if you need adjustment of braces
If you’re experiencing severe pain or the cuts are not healing, make an appointment to see your orthodontist. They can make adjustments to your braces or give you a different type of braces that may be more comfortable.
How do you heal a cut in your mouth from braces?
If you have a cut in your mouth from braces, the best thing to do is rinse it with lukewarm water. You can also try using a mild saltwater solution to help clean the area.
If the bleeding does not stop, you may need to see your orthodontist so they can check your braces and make sure everything is okay.
They may also need to adjust your braces if they are causing the cuts. In most cases, cuts from braces will heal on their own and shouldn’t have any long-term effects.
If you have cuts in your mouth from braces, it is important to clean them properly and to keep an eye on them for infection.
If the cuts are severe or become infected, you should see your orthodontist for treatment.
Can a cut from braces get infected?
A cut from braces can become infected if it is not properly cleaned and cared for. If you have an infection, you will likely see pus or redness around the cut. If the infection is severe, you may also have a fever.
It’s important to visit your orthodontist right away if you suspect you have an infected cut. They will likely prescribe antibiotics to help clear the infection.
How to stop braces from cutting your cheeks, lips, and gums?
Here are some tips on how you can prevent braces from cutting your cheek and gums.
1. Use orthodontic wax.
Orthodontic wax is a type of wax that’s specifically designed to be used on braces. It can help fill in gaps and cover sharp edges of brackets or pokey wire, which can help to prevent cuts in the mouth. This can help cushion the brackets and prevent them from rubbing against your skin.
How to use:
- Start with a small amount of wax.
- Roll it into a ball between your fingers.
- Press it gently onto the sharp edge of your braces.
- Reapply as needed.
Check out the best orthodontic wax for braces.
2. Wear a mouthguard and lip protectors.
Your lips and cheeks can be shielded from cuts with the use of mouthguards and lip protectors. Additionally, they can act as a barrier between your skin and the brackets, reducing friction.
How to use:
- Place the mouthguard over your teeth, making sure that all of your brackets are covered.
- Press the mouthguard into place and hold it there for a few seconds.
- Wrap the lip protector around your finger and press it onto your lips.
3. Eat soft foods that are easy to chew.
Eating soft foods that are easy to chew can help to prevent further cuts and promote healing. It’s important to eat a healthy diet while you’re healing, so be sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Some examples of soft foods include:
- Applesauce
- Mashed potatoes
- Soup
- Eggs
- Fish
- Chicken
- Yogurt
- Rice
- Beans
- Bananas
- Oatmeal
4. Avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods.
Hard, sticky, or chewy foods can cause cuts in the mouth. They can also irritate existing cuts and make them worse. To avoid this, avoid eating hard foods, sticky foods, or chewy foods while you’re healing. Some examples of these include:
- Chips
- Pretzels
- Popcorn
- Nuts
- Chewing gum
- Hard candy
- Sticky candy
- Taffy
- Caramel
- Gummy bears
5. Avoid acidic foods and drinks.
Acidic foods and drinks can irritate existing cuts and make them worse. To avoid this, avoid eating or drinking acidic foods and drinks while you’re healing. Some examples of these include:
- Orange juice
- Lemonade
- Tomato sauce
- Pickles
- Vinegar
- Coffee
- Tea
- Wine
6. Be careful when brushing your teeth to avoid irritating the cuts.
When brushing your teeth, be careful to avoid irritating the cuts. Use gentle force to brush your teeth thoroughly.
7. Use a soft toothbrush.
A soft toothbrush can help to avoid irritating the cuts in your mouth. Be sure to brush gently and avoid scrubbing too hard.
8. Use toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
If you’re experiencing pain when brushing your teeth, try using toothpaste for sensitive teeth. This can help to reduce the pain and make brushing more comfortable.
9. Floss carefully.
Flossing can help to remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums. To floss properly, use a piece of floss that’s about 18 inches long.
Wrap the floss around your middle fingers and hold it tight. Gently insert the floss between your teeth and move it up and down.
Be careful not to force the floss or snap it into your gums. When you’re done, throw the floss away and wash your hands.
10. Visit your orthodontist regularly.
See your orthodontist routinely for adjustments and repairs as needed. This can help to ensure that your braces are working properly and that you’re not experiencing any pain or discomfort.
Also, know about home remedies for braces pain relief.
Conclusion
Braces and wires can cut your cheek, gums, or lips due to the rough surface or improper position of wires.
To heal the cuts quickly you can use orthodontic wax, wear a mouthguard and lip protectors, eat soft foods, avoid hard foods, be careful when brushing and flossing your teeth, and visit your orthodontist regularly.
