Are Braces Painful?

Are Braces Painful?

You just went to an orthodontist office and the orthodontist in Concord said you need to get braces. Most likely, you are feeling anxious and have a lot of questions about how the teeth are going to get straighter and if it’s going to hurt. You might be asking, how long is the braces treatment going to take? How are my teeth going to look at the end?

After your initial consultation, you will decide on the teeth straightening device (metal braces, clear braces, or Invisalign) and take some photos, x-rays and impression of your teeth and place the braces on your teeth. During that first visit, you should feel little to no pain or discomfort.

After the braces are places, it may be a little bit sore for 4-5 days and feel a little uncomfortable to eat since you have brackets and wires in your mouth. You can take some advil or Tylenol as needed but most of the time you won’t have to take any medication. You might experience some irritation to your lips and your cheek as you get accustomed to talking and chewing with bits of metal or ceramic in your mouth.

Most people will opt to eat soft food during the first few days like soup, pasta, yogurt, and ice cream. After about a week, you will get used to having them in your mouth, and eating will no longer be uncomfortable.

Feeling your teeth shift?

When the teeth starts moving, you will feel some pressure on your teeth caused by the metal wires and elastic ligatures. Usually the discomfort can be addressed by using an over-the–counter pain medications. You may also use wax if any area of the braces is sharp or irritating your lip or cheek.

Check ups?

You will have to return to the orthodontic office every 4-8 weeks to have your dental appliances adjusted. When you come in for your adjustment appointments, you may experience similar soreness that you experienced during your first visit depending on what procedure was done. In realisty, orthodontic treatment does not involve the use of twisting or wrenching of the teeth. Orthoodntic appliances use gentle, consistent pressure to realign the teeth gradually. Usually, when the wires are changed to a bigger wire, you may experience some soreness but wires are not changed every visit. The discomfort is temporary and minor.

Is Invisalign painful?

Depending on condition of your teeth, some may be able to get Invsialign which are plastic aligner that move your teeth. Regardless of which device or appliance you use, there will be some pain or discomfort since the teeth will be moving. Invisalign uses very gentle force to move the teeth and the pain or discomfort is usually most severe during the first few days of wearing the plastic clear aligners. Some people mention that it is slightly challenging to eat during the few days after the procedure with the braces or Invisalign.

How can you minimize pain or discomfort?

• Using over-the-counter medications
• Eating softer foods when your teeth feel sore and tender
• Sucking on ice cubes periodontically throughout the day to minimized the discomfort
• Some say chewing gum actually helps with the discomfort

Avoid the temptation to remove the braces or aligners because they feel uncomfortable. In order for Invisalign or clear plastic aligner to work, they must be in your mouth for at least 20-22 hours per day.

So, have teeth straightening procedure can generate some mild pain or discomfort but it is only temporary and can be easily managed. The results that come from having healthy straight smile are: improved self-confidence, an attractive appearance, and the ability to chew your food better.

At Lee Orthodontics, Concord orthodontic office, we understand how intimidating the entire orthodontic procedure might seem. For this reason, our team is dedicated to providing oral health care that is enjoyable, affordable, and most of all effective. Dr. David Lee will walk you through every step of the procedures that you need to have done, and we will use the latest in modern technology to help craft a smile that you can be proud of.

Author

David Lee Board Certified Orthodontist in Concord CA Metal Braces, Clear Braces, Self-ligating braces, Invisalign, Clear Aligners Serving San Francisco and East Bay area including Concord, Pleasant Hill, Bay Point, Clayton, Martinez, Walnut Creek, Pittsburg, Lafayette, Alamo, Benicia, Orinda, Moraga, Danville, San Ramon, Hercules, Berkeley, and Oakland.