Stop Fiddling with Your Braces

Playing with your braces can become a huge problem. You can cause damage to both your teeth and the expensive equipment in your mouth. Learn how to stop fiddling with your braces before something bad happens.

Steps

Addressing Chronic Fiddling

  1. Recognize the problem and the need to stop. Not only can fiddling with your braces damage your teeth and the expensive orthodontic equipment in your mouth, but it can also worsen your discomfort.
  2. Notice where and when you fiddle with your braces most often. Is it while you are sitting down and watching TV? Is it while you are doing your homework? Knowing when you are most vulnerable to fiddling will help you address the problem.
  3. Try a distraction. If it is at school, you might fiddle with a piece of paper instead. Think of small objects you can carry with you that will keep your hands occupied. Some suggestions include:
    • Rubik's cube
    • Worry stone
    • Handheld games
    • Deck of cards
  4. Leave notes for yourself. Placing sticky notes where you will see them as you go about your normal routine will keep you aware of your problem. Hopefully, the notes will motivate you not to touch your braces.
  5. Practice aversion therapy. Aversion therapy sometimes can help you eliminate a habit by invoking a negative stimulus, like snapping a rubber band lightly on your wrist whenever you reach for your braces.[1]
  6. Wear nail polish or put a bad taste on your hands. This technique is often used for people who struggle with nail-biting, but it might help you keep your hands out of your mouth. Other options to coat your fingers:
    • Lemon juice
    • Chili oil (use sparingly)
    • Hand sanitizer
  7. Ask a friend or relative to remind you to stop if you are fiddling with them. Parents will be especially good at reminding you; if your braces break, they're the ones who'll have to pay to get them fixed.

Relieving Discomfort

  1. Ice your gums. When your braces are first installed, the sensation can be uncomfortable or painful and can, in some cases, causing swelling. Applying an ice pack regularly can ease your pain and reduce or eliminate your fiddling.
  2. Eat chilled foods. Much like icing your gums, eating chilled foods can bring comfort directly to the aching parts of your mouth. Popular options for cold foods are:
    • Popsicles
    • Ice cream
    • Frozen carrots
    • Smoothies
  3. Clear your braces of food. If food is stuck in your braces, it can cause gum irritation and lead to more fiddling with your braces. Use dental tools like floss, toothpicks, and water picks.[2]
  4. Use dental wax. Many orthodontic offices provide dental wax for free when you ask for it. If you have a problem with touching your braces too much, don't hesitate to inquire with your orthodontist.
  5. Switch to a toothpaste for sensitive teeth and gums. Most local drug stores carry toothpaste intended for people with sensitive mouths. Even if your mouth isn't normally sensitive, this toothpaste might be just the thing to help you quit fidgeting with your braces.[3]
    • There are also oral gels that decrease gum discomfort. These can be applied directly to your teeth and gums.
  6. Give it time. Though this may be the last thing you want to hear, the pain will lessen over time and the strange sensation of having braces in your mouth will feel more natural.[4]
  7. Take over-the-counter painkillers or painkillers prescribed to you by your doctor for your braces. Having a sensitive mouth can mean that you feel more pain from your braces than is normal. Taking an over the counter pain killer according to directions, or a painkiller prescribed by your doctor, can reduce your pain and lead to less fiddling.[5]

Tips

  • After eating, brush your teeth immediately or you may end up fiddling with your braces to get the food out.
  • If you are very concerned about fiddling with your braces, seek advice from your parents or orthodontist. Make it clear that you want to stop fiddling.
  • Try some distractions for your hand like clicking your fingers or finger exercises that keep your fingers going nonstop.

Warnings

  • If you do fiddle with your braces, you can easily pull out one of the wires, or worse, one of the brackets!

Related Articles

References

  1. ↑ http://www.psychologistworld.com/behavior/aversiontherapy.php
  2. ↑ https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/early-orthodontics/protect-your-investment-how-to-clean-braces
  3. ↑ http://acceledent.com/blog/recently-get-your-braces-tightened-six-helpful-tips-to-ease-the-pain/
  4. ↑ [v161795_b01]. 3 June 2021.
  5. ↑ [v161795_b01]. 3 June 2021.
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