(HealthDay News) — Orthodontic braces may be painful by themselves, or they may rub the cheek, lip or tongue, and cause sores.

Here’s student loan calculator what a person with braces can do to stay more comfortable, courtesy of the American Association of Orthodontists.

If teeth are sore and eating is difficult, try rinsing the mouth with warm salt water, eating only soft foods, and taking an over-the-counter pain reliever.

If a mouth sore develops, try covering a portion of the appliance with orthodontic wax. You can also apply a topical anesthetic to the sore area, the association says.