Wondering if having braces hurts? Our Sydney River dentists tell you how to avoid pain during and after having braces.
Braces as a Cosmetic Dental Treatment
Orthodontic treatment (using braces or clear aligners) is serious dental treatment that involves a significant investment of time and effort. Orthodontic treatment is necessary to correct a number of oral health disorders and conditions, including tooth and jaw misalignments.
A straighter, more symmetrical smile is one of the significant cosmetic advantages of braces treatment. Braces are frequently used to treat minor misalignments that don't hurt or inconvenience people but do make them feel a little self-conscious.
If you are considering straightening your teeth for primarily cosmetic purposes, you may be wondering if the treatment is painful, and whether the pain is worth it.
Does having braces hurt?
One of the most common questions we get from patients who are anxious about getting braces is, 'Do braces hurt?
Our honest answer is always that the application itself won’t hurt, though you may feel some mild pain or discomfort after we join the brackets with the orthodontic wire.
After having their braces put on or having their brackets or wires adjusted, many patients experience some soreness or discomfort for the first few days. Your lips and cheeks may need a few weeks to adjust to moving around braces because getting braces is a major change for your mouth.
You’ll be relieved to know that the appliances and wires we use are modern, and designed to exert light, gradual, continuous pressure on your teeth so as not to cause undue pain.
What can I do to relieve any pain or discomfort?
Here are some tips to help relieve any soreness or discomfort you may be feeling in those first few days after your braces are applied or adjusted:
Eat softer foods
If your teeth are painful or sensitive after getting rid of your braces, you might want to stock up on softer foods to eat for after appointments. Think about soups, yogurt, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and anything else that will prevent you from having to bite or crunch with your sensitive teeth.
Use special wax or silicone
Your teeth and mouth are getting used to being realigned - and to having to deal with braces, elastic ties, and archwires. To create a smooth surface and relieve irritation on your inner lips and cheeks, special relief wax or silicone can be applied over your braces.
Take over-the-counter pain medication
It's normal to experience soreness on your teeth or in your mouth after your braces have been removed permanently. Some patients find that taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (found in Advil, Motrin, and other brands) helps relieve any soreness (just make sure you are not allergic to any medication you may take).
Drink ice water or apply an ice pack
Cold temperatures can be extremely beneficial for brace pain relief. Applying an ice pack to the outside of your mouth can help to reduce inflammation. You can also numb the area by drinking a glass of cold water.
Though you may feel some discomfort in the days after braces are placed or adjusted, this should quickly fade.