How to 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.

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Method 1 of 2:

Addressing Chronic Fiddling

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    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.
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    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.
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    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
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    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.
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    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]
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    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
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    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.
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Relieving Discomfort

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    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.
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    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
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    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]
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    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.
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    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.
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    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]
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    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]
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Expert Q&A

  • Question
    What's the easiest way to keep myself from touching my braces?
    Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE
    Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE
    Licensed Dentist
    Dr. Lewis Chen is a licensed Dentist in both New York and New Jersey, specializing in providing high-quality oral care in the form of preventative care. He holds an Economics degree from New York University. Dr. Chen earned his doctorate at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. He graduated top of his class with the highest honors and distinction and was nominated and inducted into the only renowned, national dental honor society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU). He then completed a comprehensive training program at the Bronx VA Medical Center and, shortly after, decided to pursue multiple practice ownership and management. Dr. Chen has acquired numerous accolades over the years, including New York Academy of Dentistry Exemplary Professional Conduct Award, Academy of General Dentistry Outstanding General Practitioner Award, American Academy of Implant Dentistry Award, and Pierre Fauchard Foundation Award.
    Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE
    Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE
    Licensed Dentist
    Expert Answer
    The easiest solution is to use orthopedic wax. You just apply it directly to the brackets where you don't want to mess with them. That will keep you from physically messing with the braces.
  • Question
    Why do I keep touching my braces with my tongue when I'm not really thinking about it?
    Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE
    Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE
    Licensed Dentist
    Dr. Lewis Chen is a licensed Dentist in both New York and New Jersey, specializing in providing high-quality oral care in the form of preventative care. He holds an Economics degree from New York University. Dr. Chen earned his doctorate at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. He graduated top of his class with the highest honors and distinction and was nominated and inducted into the only renowned, national dental honor society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU). He then completed a comprehensive training program at the Bronx VA Medical Center and, shortly after, decided to pursue multiple practice ownership and management. Dr. Chen has acquired numerous accolades over the years, including New York Academy of Dentistry Exemplary Professional Conduct Award, Academy of General Dentistry Outstanding General Practitioner Award, American Academy of Implant Dentistry Award, and Pierre Fauchard Foundation Award.
    Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE
    Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE
    Licensed Dentist
    Expert Answer
    It's natural. Your body isn't used to the feeling of having braces in your mouth. It's totally normal for you to do this, and you should stop once you're finally used to having them on your teeth.
  • Question
    Is it bad to touch your braces?
    Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE
    Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE
    Licensed Dentist
    Dr. Lewis Chen is a licensed Dentist in both New York and New Jersey, specializing in providing high-quality oral care in the form of preventative care. He holds an Economics degree from New York University. Dr. Chen earned his doctorate at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. He graduated top of his class with the highest honors and distinction and was nominated and inducted into the only renowned, national dental honor society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU). He then completed a comprehensive training program at the Bronx VA Medical Center and, shortly after, decided to pursue multiple practice ownership and management. Dr. Chen has acquired numerous accolades over the years, including New York Academy of Dentistry Exemplary Professional Conduct Award, Academy of General Dentistry Outstanding General Practitioner Award, American Academy of Implant Dentistry Award, and Pierre Fauchard Foundation Award.
    Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE
    Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE
    Licensed Dentist
    Expert Answer
    Yes, unless you're getting in there to clean your teeth, you really don't want to mess around too much with your braces. It's just not good for your braces. On top of that, there's all kinds of bacteria on your hands and you don't want that stuff in your mouth.
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Warnings

  • If you do fiddle with your braces, you can easily pull out one of the wires, or worse, one of the brackets!
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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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. ↑ Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE. Licensed Dentist. Expert Interview. 3 June 2021.
  5. ↑ Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE. Licensed Dentist. Expert Interview. 3 June 2021.

About This Article

Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE
Co-authored by:
Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE
Licensed Dentist
This article was co-authored by Lewis Chen, DDS, FICOI, FIADFE. Dr. Lewis Chen is a licensed Dentist in both New York and New Jersey, specializing in providing high-quality oral care in the form of preventative care. He holds an Economics degree from New York University. Dr. Chen earned his doctorate at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. He graduated top of his class with the highest honors and distinction and was nominated and inducted into the only renowned, national dental honor society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU). He then completed a comprehensive training program at the Bronx VA Medical Center and, shortly after, decided to pursue multiple practice ownership and management. Dr. Chen has acquired numerous accolades over the years, including New York Academy of Dentistry Exemplary Professional Conduct Award, Academy of General Dentistry Outstanding General Practitioner Award, American Academy of Implant Dentistry Award, and Pierre Fauchard Foundation Award. This article has been viewed 62,924 times.
3 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 23
Updated: February 18, 2022
Views: 62,924
Categories: Braces

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

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