Are Your Braces Triggering Your Canker Sores?

If you’ve just started braces and suddenly feel like every time you talk or eat, there’s a tiny landmine in your mouth - you’re not imagining it.

Canker sores and braces tend to go hand in hand, especially when your mouth is still getting used to the brackets and wires.

These little ulcers - also called braces ulcers or mouth ulcers from braces - can show up on your cheeks, lips, or even under your tongue. And while they’re small, they hurt a lot more than they look.

The good news? It’s super common and very manageable. Most of the time, these canker sores from braces pop up because of friction or irritation, not because something’s gone wrong with your treatment.

We’ll go over why braces can cause these sores, how to heal them faster, and how to stop them from coming back every time your wire gets adjusted.

What Are Canker Sores?

So, before we get into how braces cause canker sores, let’s talk about what they actually are.

A canker sore is basically a small ulcer that forms inside your mouth, usually white or yellow in the center with a red border around it. They’re not contagious, but they can be painful, especially when they brush up against your braces or while eating something spicy or acidic.

Unlike cold sores (which appear outside your mouth), canker sores from braces happen inside, along the gums, cheeks, lips, or even the tongue. They can show up in singles or multiples, depending on how irritated the area is.

There’s no single cause for them, but with braces ulcers, friction is the main trigger. When the edge of a bracket or wire keeps rubbing against the soft tissue in your mouth, it can cause tiny cuts. Add saliva, bacteria, and movement from talking or chewing, and that area quickly becomes a sore spot.

They usually heal on their own in about a week or two, but when you’re wearing braces, it can feel like one sore heals just as another one appears. That’s why prevention and quick care matter so much when you’re dealing with sores in the mouth from braces.

Why Braces Can Cause Canker Sores

Braces are great for straightening your teeth, but they are also one of the biggest causes of sore tongue . When you first get them, your mouth is basically adjusting to a whole new landscape of brackets, wires, and edges. And that’s where canker sores from braces usually start.

Here’s what’s happening: the inside of your lips, cheeks, and tongue is soft. The metal parts of your braces aren’t. So every time you talk, eat, or even just smile, those rough edges can rub against your mouth. That constant friction creates small cuts or irritation, which can turn into mouth ulcers from braces.

You’re more likely to get a sore in your mouth from braces during the first few weeks of treatment or after an adjustment appointment - basically, any time your braces are tightened or repositioned. The mouth needs time to toughen up and get used to the new pressure points.

Other things that can make it worse include:

• Eating sharp or crunchy foods (like chips or crusty bread)
• Not using orthodontic wax on sharp edges
• Stress or a weakened immune system
• Poor oral hygiene around brackets

So, while braces cause canker sores mostly through friction, small lifestyle tweaks can make a huge difference in keeping those painful ulcers away.

How to Treat Canker Sores from Braces

The good news? Canker sores from braces heal on their own - but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer through the pain. With the right care, you can speed up healing and make things a lot more comfortable.

Here’s how to calm those mouth ulcers from braces:

1. Use Orthodontic Wax

This is your first line of defense. Cover any bracket or wire that’s rubbing against your sore. It creates a smooth barrier so your mouth can heal without more irritation.

2. Rinse with Warm Salt Water

Mix a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and rinse 2–3 times a day. It helps reduce inflammation and keeps the sore clean.

3. Try an Antimicrobial Mouthwash

Use an alcohol-free mouthwash to avoid stinging. It helps kill bacteria and promotes faster healing.

4. Over-the-Counter Relief

You can use numbing gels like Bonjela or Orajel to reduce pain. Apply them directly to the braces ulcer before meals or bedtime.

5. Stick to Soft Foods

Avoid crunchy or spicy foods that can irritate the sore. Go for yogurt, mashed potatoes, pasta, and smoothies until it heals.

6. Keep Up Your Oral Hygiene

It might hurt, but don’t skip brushing. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and brush gently around the sore areas.

Canker sores typically heal within 7–10 days. If you notice they’re lasting longer or getting worse, it’s best to check in with your orthodontist. Sometimes, a small wire adjustment can stop new sores in mouth from braces from forming.

Prevention Tips: How to Stop Braces from Causing Canker Sores

Once you’ve had a canker sore from braces, you’ll do anything to avoid getting another. The key is prevention, protecting your cheeks, lips, and gums before irritation even starts.

Here’s how to stop braces ulcers and mouth sores from coming back:

1. Use Orthodontic Wax Regularly

Don’t wait for pain to start. Apply wax to any new bracket or wire that feels rough. It’s a small step that makes a huge difference in comfort.

2. Stay on Top of Oral Hygiene

Food and plaque can aggravate small cuts or sores, turning them into painful canker sores from braces. Brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush and use a gentle mouth rinse.

3. Keep Your Lips Moisturized

Dry, cracked lips can rub more easily against braces. A simple lip balm can reduce friction and irritation, especially overnight.

4. Avoid Trigger Foods

Spicy, acidic, or salty foods - like crisps, citrus fruits, and tomatoes can sting or worsen mouth ulcers from braces. Stick with softer, milder foods until your mouth adjusts.

5. Stay Hydrated

A dry mouth can make sores in mouth from braces worse. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your mouth moist and reduce friction.

6. Attend Your Orthodontic Check-ups

Your orthodontist can spot sharp edges or overextended wires early and smooth them out. Small adjustments go a long way in preventing irritation.

Can Clear Aligners Help Reduce Mouth Sores?

If you keep getting canker sores from braces, it might not be your oral hygiene - it could simply be the metal. Traditional braces have brackets and wires that can rub against the soft tissue inside your mouth, especially in the early stages of treatment.

That’s where clear aligners come in. Unlike braces, clear aligners are smooth and removable, meaning there are no sharp edges or metal parts to irritate your cheeks, gums, or lips. You can take them out while eating or brushing, which also makes it easier to keep your mouth clean and sore-free.

For people who have sensitive mouths or get frequent braces ulcers, aligners can be a game-changer. They’re gentle, discreet, and much easier on your mouth’s soft tissue.

If you’ve been dealing with constant irritation from braces, clear aligners from ALIGNERCO might be the more comfortable alternative. Straighten your teeth without the pain or ulcers that come with brackets and wires.