Chewing gum or acupressure could replace painkillers for braces pain, study suggests
NCT ID NCT07638644
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial compares three simple methods to ease pain after getting braces tightened: acupressure (pressing a spot on the hand), ibuprofen, and chewing sugar-free gum. 105 people aged 15 to 35 will be randomly assigned to one of the three groups. They will rate their pain over the first week and report if they need extra pain medicine. The goal is to find a safe, effective way to manage discomfort without relying solely on medication.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- acupressure, ibuprofen, and chewing gum
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could offer patients simple, low-cost options to manage pain after getting braces tightened.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with only 105 participants. Results may not apply to everyone, and pain relief may be modest.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
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