Getting braces is more than just straightening your teeth, it’s a whole process that can come with some real discomfort. If you’re searching for how to stop braces pain, especially with natural remedies, you’re in the right place.
Studies show that nearly 70% of orthodontic patients report moderate to severe discomfort within the first week of treatment, especially after adjustments. Most of this pain comes from pressure, inflammation, and soft tissue irritation. The good news? You don’t always need to reach for painkillers. You can manage a lot of that discomfort at home with simple, natural methods.
Let’s walk through 12 real ways to relieve the pain from braces without overcomplicating things. These are natural, gentle on your body, and easy to use right from your kitchen or bathroom.
1. Salt Water Rinse (Your First Go-To)
This one’s a classic, and for good reason. If your mouth feels sore or raw from braces rubbing or tightening, a warm salt water rinse can do wonders. Just mix a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and swish it around for 30 seconds. You don’t have to overdo it, twice a day is enough to help calm inflamed gums and heal tiny cuts from brackets.
If you’re searching for how to relieve braces pain at home, start here. It’s one of the easiest and cheapest ways to feel better fast. No fancy ingredients needed.
2. Ice Packs for Jaw Pain
When your whole jaw aches after a braces adjustment, grab an ice pack. Wrap it in a towel and press it against your cheek for 10–15 minutes. It helps reduce swelling and dulls that deep, aching pain that can come from pressure on your teeth.
You can also suck on ice chips if your gums are throbbing, just don’t chew them, or you’ll risk damaging your brackets. If you’re wondering how to stop braces pain immediately, this is a quick fix that actually works.
3. Clove Oil for Numbing Relief
Clove oil is a natural option that really helps when you’re dealing with sharp, pinpoint pain, like from a poking wire or a bracket rubbing raw against your cheek. Dab a little on a cotton swab and apply it directly where it hurts.
It has a numbing effect thanks to a compound called eugenol. Think of it as nature’s version of dental gel. If you’re trying to figure out how to make braces stop hurting without pills, this little bottle of oil is worth having around.
4. Chamomile Tea Rinse
Chamomile does more than just help you sleep. It’s great for calming inflamed gums and mouth tissue too. Brew a cup, let it cool, then swish it gently like mouthwash. It feels soothing, and it can help reduce pain naturally.
You can also press a used tea bag against a sore spot for a few minutes. It’s especially useful if your gums are puffy and sensitive after getting your wires tightened. Definitely a solid choice if you’re exploring how to relieve braces pain at home.
5. Aloe Vera Gel for Soft Tissue Pain
Aloe vera can do more than soothe sunburns. It’s a great option for easing mouth irritation caused by brackets and wires. If your cheeks or lips are feeling raw, dab a small amount of food-grade aloe vera gel inside your mouth.
It helps protect the area and speeds up healing. If you’re serious about finding how to stop braces pain naturally, aloe belongs in your toolkit. Just make sure it’s safe for oral use, some gels are only for external skin.
6. Ginger Root Paste
Fresh ginger has anti-inflammatory powers, and it’s surprisingly helpful for reducing gum pain. Grate a small piece, mash it into a paste, and apply it to the swollen area. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, then rinse gently.
It might tingle a bit, but it calms inflammation and helps your gums relax. You can also drink ginger tea if chewing hurts. This one’s a great all-around remedy if you’re dealing with a lot of soreness and trying to figure out how to make braces stop hurting.
7. Turmeric Paste
Turmeric goes beyond the kitchen. Mix some turmeric powder with a little water to make a paste, then dab it on any sore spots in your mouth. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse.
Turmeric has curcumin, which is a natural anti-inflammatory. It helps improve pain and speed up healing. Yes, it might stain your toothbrush a bit, but it’s worth it. If you’re trying to stop braces pain the natural way, this one’s powerful and easy.
8. Cold Cucumber Slices
Cucumbers are cooling and gentle, which is exactly what you want when your mouth is sore. Chill a few thin slices in the fridge, then place them inside your mouth against swollen gums or the inside of your cheek.
It’s not as intense as an ice pack, but it’s great for milder pain. This works especially well for daytime relief when you don’t want to feel numb but need some comfort. Another easy trick when you’re wondering how to relieve braces pain at home without doing too much.
9. Warm Water and Honey Rinse
Honey has more going for it than flavor; it’s got healing properties too. Stir a teaspoon of raw honey into a glass of warm water and swish it around your mouth. It helps reduce swelling and can tone down soreness along your gum line.
Just make sure to rinse with plain water afterward to avoid sugar sitting on your teeth. This is a good pick if you’ve got irritation but don’t want to use harsh rinses. It’s a gentle, natural fix for how to stop braces pain naturally.
10. Peppermint Tea Bags
Peppermint has a cooling effect that feels amazing when your mouth is inflamed. Brew a cup of peppermint tea, then save the bag. Let it cool a bit and press it against any sore spot, inside your cheek, on your gums, wherever it hurts.
It’s soothing, it smells great, and it helps reduce pain without chemicals. Peppermint is especially handy if you need a natural answer for how to make braces stop hurting after an adjustment.
11. Cold Smoothies or Frozen Fruit
When chewing feels like a workout, cold smoothies can give you both relief and nutrients. Use soft fruits like bananas, berries, or mango and blend them with something cold like almond milk or yogurt.
The cold helps reduce mouth pain and makes eating more comfortable. Frozen grapes or small pieces of banana can also be soothing. It’s a tasty way to deal with soreness, and it definitely helps when you’re wondering how to stop braces pain immediately and need a break from chewing.
12. Essential Oil Steam
Steam can help relax your jaw muscles, especially if you’ve been clenching from the discomfort. Add a few drops of lavender or peppermint essential oil to a bowl of hot water, lean over it with a towel, and breathe it in for 5 to 10 minutes.
The heat helps loosen up tight areas, and the scent gives you a calming boost. This one’s more about overall relief than targeting a specific spot, but it still counts as a helpful natural remedy when figuring out how to stop braces pain and tension.
Learning Patience Through Discomfort
Dealing with braces pain is part of a bigger picture, it’s not just about getting through the discomfort, but about understanding your own limits and learning to be patient with yourself. Your mouth can surprise you, but it can also remind you to slow down. That back-and-forth isn’t a setback; it’s just part of the process.
The way you respond to that discomfort says a lot about your mindset and resilience.This goes beyond straightening teeth; it’s about growing more comfortable with small challenges and taking care of yourself along the way. Stick with it, and you’ll come out of this stronger, not just with a better smile, but with more confidence in how you handle life’s little hurdles.