Do Braces Hurt?

It’s well known that braces will give you straighter teeth and can lead to better dental health.  But some patients are nervous about getting them. One of the reasons patients can be apprehensive is the fear that braces hurt. However, after you start orthodontic treatment with braces, you’ll quickly see there’s nothing to worry about.

Do Braces Hurt?

Given that braces are made of a system of metal brackets and wires, it can seem intimidating and it’s understandable that patients would be concerned about them causing pain. In reality, braces will only cause temporary discomfort when you first get them.  You’ll just need a little time to get used to the sensation of having them attached to your teeth.

Patients usually feel some tenderness in their jaw, gums, and of course their teeth. It can be a little sore when you go to bite into food, especially tough foods.  The inside of your cheeks and lips are not used to feeling these new metal braces either.  Some dryness and mild scratchiness on the inside of your mouth is common when you first get braces too.

However, these feelings should go away in a couple of days or weeks. Once patients get used to having braces, they are typically fine through the end of their treatment. This is especially true with today’s modern braces, which are much sleeker and smoother than old-fashioned braces.

Dealing with Braces Discomfort

To mitigate any discomfort you might feel on the inside of your cheeks when your braces are first put on, you can use dental wax, which reduces the friction between your braces and the inside of your mouth. Wax can act like a pillow on any sore spots inside your mouth.

While you’ll want to avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods during the whole time you have braces, sticking with really soft foods the first week you have braces is a good idea. Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, like Ibuprofen, can help relieve discomfort too. Rinsing with salt water rinses can help the healing process.  Just mix 1 teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water, swish for 30 seconds and spit.

When it comes to experiencing dryness, carry a water bottle with you and frequently take sips of water to maintain adequate moisture in your mouth for the first week or two.

Patients who play instruments like the flute, trumpet, or saxophone will likely need time to adjust due to the sudden change in how the mouthpiece of the instrument feels with braces. After a few weeks of practicing, you should be used to the new sensation and be back at your typical skill level.

If you ever experience intense or long-lasting pain, tell your orthodontist right away because there may be an issue with your treatment.

How Braces Fix Jaw Discomfort

Once you get used to your braces, you’ll be on your way to feeling better every day. Braces take care of problems like crookedness and crowding, which can cause pressure to be unevenly distributed between your teeth when you bite down. Straightening your teeth will make your bite more even, potentially fixing problems like chronic jaw pain and headaches.

You can also address issues like underbites and overbites with braces by using elastics. Patients often find they have a much easier time speaking and eating after their bite problems are corrected.

So while you may experience some initial discomfort when you first get braces, the end results will be well worth it.

Contact Fravel Brewer Orthodontics today to schedule a free consultation and to see if braces are right for you.