Popsicles are such a clever workaround—never thought of that, but it makes sense since they're usually cheaper than fancy ice cream, too. I totally agree about silicone wax, though... I tried using the little cotton rolls once and they just got stuck everywhere and made things worse. Have you ever tried rinsing with warm salt water? It’s super affordable and seemed to help me when my gums got sore from new wires. Curious if anyone else found that useful or if it’s just one of those old-school tricks.
Warm salt water rinses are kind of my go-to, honestly. My orthodontist suggested it early on and I’ve just stuck with it—seems to calm things down when my mouth feels raw or swollen. I think it’s partly just soothing, but also helps keep everything clean. I never had much luck with the cotton rolls either... they always felt weird and then fell apart. Popsicles are a game changer for the pain days, though. Sometimes I’ll just suck on ice chips if I don’t have popsicles around—works in a pinch.
Salt water rinses are a lifesaver for me too, especially right after adjustments. But I’m curious—do you ever get tired of the taste? I tried switching to a mouthwash once but it stung way more than I expected. Popsicles are genius, though. Ever tried frozen yogurt tubes? They’re softer and don’t hurt as much to eat when your teeth are super sensitive. I still can’t figure out how people use those cotton rolls... they just dissolve in my mouth.
I still can’t figure out how people use those cotton rolls... they just dissolve in my mouth.
Same here, the cotton rolls just turn into mush for me and it’s honestly gross. I get what you mean about the salt water too—it starts tasting weird after a few days but it’s still better than mouthwash burning my whole mouth. Frozen yogurt tubes are such a good idea, though. I always worry about biting into anything too cold but those are soft enough that it doesn’t freak me out.
Yeah, those cotton rolls are supposed to help but honestly, I’ve seen so many people just chew them up without even realizing it. They work for some folks but if they just dissolve for you, you’re not alone. As for salt water, it does get old after a while. If you want something less gross, try swishing with plain water after meals and use wax on any sharp spots—sometimes that’s enough to give your mouth a break. Frozen yogurt tubes are a win in my book too… they’re cold, soft, and don’t have that “ice cream shock” effect on sensitive teeth.