“Do braces hurt?” It’s a common question we hear at Ohana Orthodontics. Most of the time, the answer is no. But you may feel some discomfort right after you get braces and after each adjustment.
Most of the 12-24 months you’ll probably wear your braces, you won’t remember you have them. On those rare occasions when you do feel discomfort, we have a few suggestions for alleviating the pain.
What Makes My Teeth Sore After Getting Braces?
As soon as your braces go on, they start working to move your teeth by applying gentle pressure and stretching the periodontal ligament that holds them in place. This allows the tooth to move as the ligament loosens, but it can make the ligament sore.
Your teeth move thanks to two natural processes in the jaw—reabsorption and remodeling. Reabsorption is the breaking down of your jawbone, where the body reabsorbs the broken-down material. This allows your teeth to shift in the jawbone.
Remodeling is where the jawbone rebuilds itself behind the tooth as it moves. This keeps your teeth from getting too loose and falling out during your braces treatment.
As your teeth start to move, they will become more sensitive and probably will ache. You may also have tender gums right after your braces go on.
What Makes My Teeth Sore After Braces Adjustments?
When you come in for an orthodontic checkup (about every 6-8 weeks), we will change out the archwires on the upper and lower teeth. The archwires are what apply pressure to the braces brackets and help move the teeth.
New archwires may move your teeth differently from how they’ve been moved previously. Each set of archwires is designed to move your teeth in increments until they are straight and where they need to be.
As a result, your teeth may be sore after each adjustment.
How Long Does the Soreness Last?
The initial soreness after you get braces may last for several days because your teeth aren’t used to moving. If it lasts longer than a week or gets worse instead of better, give us a call.
The soreness may not be as bad after each adjustment. It should only last for a couple of days. It should be getting better with each passing day. If it gets worse, give us a call. We may need to loosen an archwire.
Top 6 Tips for Soothing the Soreness
How do you soothe the soreness? Here are a few tips to make your mouth feel better while your teeth get used to your braces:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers — Ibuprofen (anti-inflammatory, addresses the root cause of the pain) or acetaminophen. Taken as directed on the bottles. Take before the peak soreness if possible. Taking it before an adjustment or right after can reduce how bad it gets. (We do NOT recommend aspirin for children or teenagers.)
- Cold foods or drinks — ice cream, cold water, smoothies, milkshakes. Cold reduces inflammation and numbs the area.
- Soft foods — mashed potatoes, pasta, yogurt, eggs, soup. Don’t eat hard or crunchy foods that put pressure on already sore teeth. Also, hard or crunchy foods can damage your braces. You could have brackets pop off because the bonding agent hasn’t completely set yet.
- Warm salt water rinses — soothe gum irritation and reduce inflammation. ½ tsp salt in 8 oz. warm (not hot) water, rinse 2-3 times daily.
- Orthodontic wax — specifically for a wire or bracket irritation. Roll a small piece and press it over the offending spot. Your braces may irritate your cheeks, lips, or tongue.
- Time — the soreness should improve after a few days.
FAQs About Pain With Braces
Is it normal to have pain or discomfort with braces?
Does the soreness mean my teeth will get too loose and fall out?
What is the best way to alleviate soreness?
Braces Treatment in Canby, OR
Are you ready for braces or clear aligners in Camby, OR? Schedule an appointment with Ohana Orthodontics. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about braces treatment and whatever worries you may have.
