How Can I Stop Braces Pain?

Braces hold a prominent position in modern dental treatment. It assists in correcting misaligned teeth and improving oral health. While braces certainly deliver results and offer long-term benefits, many individuals avoid getting them out of fear and pain.

Initially after wearing braces, you might notice discomfort that can range from mild to extreme due to numerous reasons. Understanding this, we are going to share with you practical tips to manage your pain linked with the braces.

Why Does it Hurt to Get Braces?

If you are wearing braces for the first time then it is normal to experience pain and soreness. It could be because of having them fitted or the brackets and wires getting tightened. You can experience irritation and soreness because of the pressure to stir teeth movement for braces to do their work.

Many people believe that the wires, brackets, and rubber bands cause the pain. But that’s a false narrative. It’s the fitting, tightening, and removal that will bring you pangs.

When You Put Braces On

After 3-4 dental appointments, your orthodontist will suggest you put braces on. The starting process can take a couple of hours and you might even feel tightening as the wires are getting fixed. It’s a painless process but keeping your mouth open for a long duration might cause jaw pain.

When You Tighten Braces

Now that braces are on, every 2 months or 1.5 months, your orthodontist will schedule your follow-up appointment. The goal is to tighten and adjust them.

Broken or Loose Brackets and Wires

Another one of many reasons why teeth braces hurt is because of broken or loose brackets and wires. These wires and brackets often rub against the cheeks and lips. Many times it ends up giving bruises and cuts too, resulting in discomfort. If you have been consistently experiencing pain, then seek medical advice from your orthodontist.

Different Types of Braces

As technology evolves, the dental industry comes up with new types of braces that offer a different range of pain.

1. Traditional Metal Braces: The most common type of braces are the traditional and good old metal braces. It’s been available for decades and is a go-to option for orthodontists. These metal braces are comprises of metal brackets that are glued together to the tooth and connected by thin metal wire also known as archwire. To hold the archwires in place, small elastics or clips are available that also apply pressure to move your teeth together in alignment.

Pain Points: Metal braces can bring discomfort once your orthodontist places them. As it tightens the teeth, you can experience soreness. The brackets also irritate the inner soft tissues of the mouth and lips as they get adjusted to the braces.

2. Ceramic Braces: Similar to traditional metal braces, ceramic braces offer the same functionality. The difference lies in the material involved in the making of brackets. It’s made from a clear or tooth-colored ceramic material. For adults who feel self-conscious about wearing metal braces, ceramic ones give you a major benefit as they are less noticeable.

Pain Points: Ceramic braces provide you with less pain and irritation compared to metal braces. It’s because the surface of the brackets is smoother. However, the discomfort with tooth movement remains persistent.

3. Self-Ligating Braces : Self-ligating braces are another alternative to traditional metal braces. In this, it automatically holds the archwires in place and removes the requirement of elastics also known as ligatures.

Pain Points: Self-ligating braces will bring in less discomfort as there’s low friction between the archwire and the brackets. This causes a smoother movement and less soreness. Additionally, there are no elastics for adjustments which drops the discomfort.

How to Relieve Brace Pain?

• To reduce inflammation, consistently apply an ice pack outside your mouth.
• If the pain is not subsiding, then rinse with warm salt water. Take a glass of warm water, add some salt, let it dissolve, and gargle 2-3 times daily. It will heal the soreness or any cuts in the mouth. Do not use extreme hot and cold water.
• Your orthodontist will provide you with non-toxic orthodontic wax for protection. It can numb your mouth to ease the pain.
• There are many over-the-counter pain medicines available that will ease the pain. We suggest you ask your orthodontist for a medicine recommendation.
• Food often gets trapped between the wires and brackets. Hence, it is advisable to avoid eating any hard and chewy food. It can trigger pain or even land you in the emergency room at an orthodontist. Opt for soft food that does not require much effort to chew.
• Your braces can remain for more than a year. It entirely depends upon the assessment made by the orthodontist. After every meal or snack, floss, brush, and use a mouthwash.

Wearing braces is one of the most effective ways of improving your smile, aligning your crooked teeth, and preventing dental problems. While it may seem painful to wear braces, the benefits outweigh the pain after its removal. With new technologies, there are options available to cause mild discomfort or no pain at all. Further, with the above-mentioned simple tips, you can manage your pain and achieve a confident smile.