Salt water rinse never really did it for me, honestly. I was always worried it’d just make things sting more or get stuck in the brackets. I ended up sticking to the wax and painkillers—just felt safer somehow. Maybe I’m just extra cautious, but I needed the reassurance.
I was always worried it’d just make things sting more or get stuck in the brackets. I ended up sticking to the wax and painkillers—just felt safer somehow.
I get what you mean about being cautious—painkillers and wax were my go-tos for ages. But honestly, I was super skeptical about salt water at first too. Weirdly enough, after a few tries, it actually started to help with the soreness. Didn’t sting as much as I expected. Maybe it’s just one of those things that’s different for everyone? I still use wax when the brackets dig in though... nothing beats that for comfort.
Didn’t sting as much as I expected. Maybe it’s just one of those things that’s different for everyone?
I keep worrying about the salt water thing too—my kid is really sensitive, so I’m nervous it’ll just make things worse. Was it just plain warm water and salt, or did you use something special? Also, does the salt ever get stuck in the brackets? I know wax helps with the sharp edges, but sometimes I’m second-guessing if we’re missing something that could speed up the healing. This whole process feels endless some days…
Was it just plain warm water and salt, or did you use something special? Also, does the salt ever get stuck in the brackets?
Plain warm water with a pinch of table salt is honestly all you need. No fancy rinses—just keep it simple. I get why you’re worried about your kid being sensitive, but usually the salt water rinse is pretty mild, especially if you don’t overdo the salt. Some kids (and adults) do complain about the taste, though. If it stings too much, try using a little less salt or letting the water cool down a bit more.
As for the salt getting stuck in brackets, that’s not really something I’ve seen happen. Salt dissolves pretty quickly in warm water, so unless you’re using a ton of it or not mixing well, it shouldn’t be an issue. If there’s any grit left behind, a quick sip of plain water after rinsing will clear it out.
I hear you on the process feeling endless—underbite corrections can take a while, especially if there’s jaw involvement or if your kid’s still growing. Wax is great for sharp spots but doesn’t speed up healing much. The best thing is to stick with gentle brushing and regular rinses; gums and cheeks toughen up over time.
If there are mouth sores that just won’t heal, sometimes switching up toothpaste (avoid whitening agents/SLS) helps. And for pain, cold drinks or even sugar-free popsicles can be surprisingly soothing.
It’s totally normal to second-guess if you’re doing enough. Every kid reacts differently—some barely notice their braces after a week, others take months to adjust. Just keep an eye out for anything that looks infected (big swelling, pus, fever), but otherwise it’s mostly a waiting game. Hang in there...it does get easier.
This is super reassuring to read, thank you. I keep worrying I’m missing something or not doing the rinses right—my kid complains about the taste every single time. Did you ever have days where your kid just refused? I feel like it’s a battle some nights. I totally get what you mean about the process being slow. Some days it feels endless, but hearing it’s normal helps a lot.
