How long will my teeth be sore after getting braces?
By
Dr Shivam Jha
This blogpost will answer the question How long will my teeth be sore after getting braces? And will include the following topics:Why do Braces Hurt?
How Long Do Braces Hurt?
Why do Rubber Bands on Braces Hurt So Much?
Why Tightening Braces Hurt?
Dealing with braces pain
10 Tips for Braces Pain Relief
When to see the orthodontist
How long will my teeth be sore after getting braces?
Soreness after getting braces at first is normal and is likely to go away within a week.
It is also important to know that throughout the treatment, the braces need to be tightened periodically. So, after every appointment you may experience some soreness for a few days. This is nothing to be scared of since it can be easily managed by over-the-counter drugs and some home remedies like salt water rinses.
Why do Braces Hurt?
Braces exert pressure on your teeth to straighten your teeth. Your teeth and gums become generally sensitive as a result of this pressure. You may experience some soreness in your cheeks for a brief time after their first placement. Modern braces are meant to alleviate discomfort to the greatest extent possible, yet they still brush against your cheeks, causing soreness or even minor wounds.
How Long Do Braces Hurt?
Mild discomfort or soreness is a common side effect of wearing braces. However, the discomfort should only occur after your orthodontist places or make adjustments to your braces or wires. The pain usually goes away in four days, and braces pain never lasts more than a week.
It’s also usual to have some soreness in your cheeks for the first week or so after getting braces. Adjustments, fortunately, do not increase this type of pain significantly.
.
Why do Rubber Bands on Braces Hurt So Much?
Rubber bands are frequently added to braces to increase the amount of pressure applied to your teeth by your orthodontist. Pressure caused may be unpleasant, just like the wires that connect your braces. It’s just uncomfortable in the beginning, just like any other change. The pain fades away after a few days as your body adjusts to the increased pressure.
Why Tightening Braces Hurt?
Your teeth are actively shifted to new locations during orthodontic treatment. Blood flow can be affected by changing the position of the teeth. This might cause an inflammatory reaction, resulting in the production of substances that cause pain. As a result, your teeth become sore when you move them.
Your orthodontist will modify the archwire at each of your appointments. This is the metal wire that joins your brackets and extends across your teeth. The orthodontist may bend, tighten, or replace the wire depending on your situation. The wire then stretches to return to its original place, gently pressing on the teeth in the process. Your smile straightens as a result of this pressure.
Some patients report no pain following their regular checkups, while others suffer discomfort for up to three days. If you’re a new patient, there’s some good news: soreness tends to decrease with each treatment after the first six months.
Dealing with braces pain
The majority of braces discomfort may be alleviated with over-the-counter pain relievers. A popular option is acetaminophen (Tylenol). Some patients use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve), which can effectively reduce gum inflammation.
If your braces are rubbing against the inside of your mouth, your orthodontist may prescribe you soft wax to use. The wax acts as a protective barrier, reducing the risk of wounds as well as sores. Make an appointment with your orthodontist soon enough if a wire or bracket is out of place and causing you pain.
There are a few foods that you should avoid when you have braces. Foods like popcorn, hard candy, sticky candy, and gum can all damage braces.
10 Tips for Braces Pain Relief
People believe that braces are terribly painful, yet after you get used to wearing them, there isn’t much pain or discomfort. There may be some discomfort shortly after the orthodontist places the braces on your teeth and when your wires are tightened, however there are ways to get braces pain relief.
Oral anesthetics
An easy method to relieve braces discomfort is to use an oral anaesthetic such as Orajel or Anbesol directly to the sensitive teeth and gums. You may apply it with either a cotton swab or your finger. Oral anaesthetics desensitise your teeth and gums, reducing your sensitivity to the discomfort of teeth moving.
Over-the-counter pain medicine
Over-the-counter pain relievers are another choice. If you know you always feel a little sore after an orthodontic visit, take the medication an hour before the appointment. This way, you’ll feel less pain and suffering during and after your session.
Make sure you read the medication’s directions and follow the dose recommendations exactly. This medication is not intended to be taken on a regular basis, so if you are still experiencing pain and discomfort after a few days, please call your orthodontist right away.
An ice pack
Cold temperatures can decrease inflammation and numb the mouth, making it difficult to feel pain. It’ll work well if you have an ice pack on hand. Simply place an ice pack on the outside of your mouth to relieve braces pain.
Cold ice water
If none of the following alternatives are available, a glass of chilled ice water would work. Sip a good cold glass of ice water when you arrive home from your orthodontic visit. This will numb your mouth sufficiently to alleviate some of the irritation and pain.
Soft foods
There are a lot of limits with standard wire braces, especially when it comes to what you may eat. Hard candy, gum, and hard-to-chew foods should be avoided when wearing braces.You should really restricted yourself from eating crunchy foods after getting your braces on and after each tightening. Stick to soft meals like soups, mashed potatoes, and cereal to do this.
Even if you go for Invisalign and don’t have to worry about wire straightening, each new set of aligners will require an adjustment time. Stick to softer meals and take it easy on your tongue throughout this time of adjustment.
Orthodontic wax
You will most likely be sent home with orthodontic wax. This is a special wax that protects the inside of your lips, cheeks, and gums from the braces’ brackets. The wax acts as a barrier, preventing the sharp ends of the brackets from irritating your mouth.
To use orthodontic wax, follow the directions provided. Basically, you mold the wax over the irritated bracket. Because it is a harmless wax, you don’t have to worry about unintentionally swallowing it, but remember to remove it before cleaning your teeth. Reapply the wax after cleaning your teeth and eating.
A warm rinse
While freezing temperatures are effective, a warm salt water treatment can also help in the healing process. Gargling with warm salt water can assist in the healing of any sores or wounds caused by braces in your mouth or on your gums.
A gum massage
Simply use one of your fingers to softly touch your gums in a circular motion. Before massaging your gums, massage them with a block of ice to maximise the impact. However, you should only do this for as long as it takes to relax your inflamed gums.
Good dental hygiene
The way you care for your teeth and braces can also impact how much pain and discomfort you experience. The most important thing to remember when wearing braces is to keep your teeth and braces clean in order to avoid tooth decay and gum irritation. Because food will become caught on the brackets and wires, you must carefully clean them as well. Brush, floss, and rinse your mouth with mouthwash to remove any food particles that may have remained after you ate.
Need to be patient
The most significant suggestion for getting through this transition time is to be patient. Remember your overall goal: a healthier, more attractive smile. The pain and suffering will only last a few days, but your new smile will be with you for the rest of your life, so take good care of it.
When to see the orthodontist
In most circumstances, a person will visit their orthodontist on a regular basis for tightening while wearing braces. If a person’s braces become dislodged, a wire becomes loose, or the bands come off, they should contact their orthodontist to make an appointment. While waiting for the appointment, the individual might apply wax to the wire or bracket to prevent it from cutting their face or tongue.
If a person’s discomfort does not go away after a few days or after using pain killers, they should contact their orthodontist. An orthodontist can inspect the braces to ensure that everything fits properly and that there is no other underlying disease causing pain.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How can I make my teeth less sore after braces?
There are various methods that can be used to reduce the soreness after braces. Some of these include warm saline rinses, apply an ice pack, using over the counter pain relievers, using orthodontic wax etc.
Do braces hurt after 3 days?
Braces can hurt uto a week after first getting placed.
How should I sleep with braces pain?
You can take some pain relievers to reduce the pain and inflammation from braces.
Do rubber bands on braces hurt?
Rubber bands are usually added to braces to increase the amount of pressure applied to your teeth and hence they hurt for a while initially.
When do braces hurt the most?
Braces hurt the most when they are first placed. The pain can last upto a week.
Other FAQs about Teeth braces that you may be interested in.
How Long Does It Take For Your Teeth To Get Straight With Braces?
What do braces feel like the first day?