Same thing here, actually. I tried a minty mouthwash the first week after getting braces and my gums felt raw and even more swollen. I thought it was supposed to help, but it just stung a lot. Ended up switching to salt water too... tastes awful but at least it didn’t hurt. Is it normal for everything to feel so sensitive at first?
Yeah, that sensitivity is super normal at first. My gums felt like they were on fire for the first week or two after getting braces. Minty mouthwash was way too harsh for me, too—salt water’s gross but it’s gentle. It does get better once your mouth adjusts. Hang in there.
Totally normal, yeah. Your gums are basically throwing a tantrum because something new moved in and started rearranging the furniture. Swelling and sensitivity usually calm down after a couple weeks. Salt water is gross, but it’s like a spa day for angry gums. If you notice weird colors or can’t eat anything at all, maybe mention it to your ortho, but otherwise, hang tight—the worst part’s usually over pretty quick.
I totally get the salt water thing—it’s not exactly tasty, but it really does help with that initial swelling. I remember when I first got braces, my gums felt huge for almost two weeks, but then things started to settle down. Did you notice if the swelling is worse after certain foods or maybe after brushing? Sometimes switching to a softer toothbrush can make a difference, especially early on.
That’s interesting about the toothbrush. I actually switched to a softer one but I’m still getting puffy gums, especially after eating bread or chips. Is it normal if the swelling comes and goes? I get kind of nervous every time it flares up.
