Ouch! Will braces hurt me?

One of the most common questions we get before a child gets braces is; “will it hurt?” Remember pain is different for everyone, but below we’ll go through what to expect at each stage of your orthodontic treatment.

Will it hurt to get my braces on?

It’s an exciting but often overwhelming time when you finally get to have your braces put on, and many patients fear that it’s going to be an extremely painful process.

Luckily, getting your braces on will only moderately be uncomfortable. It is like getting a new pair of shoes, or skates. It takes a bit for you to adjust but once you get use to them, they fit you perfectly! During the procedure, the most pain you’ll feel is a bit of discomfort from having your mouth open for the time frame it takes to get your braces on.

Aside from that, the majority of the discomfort you will feel will be within the first few hours of getting them on. Your teeth may feel a bit more sensitive than usual and it will probably take you longer to eat meals while you are adjusting and getting used to the feeling of having braces on your teeth.

Have no fear, as it’s completely normal to experience discomfort while eating and talking upon getting your braces on, and even if your mouth/teeth hurt in the beginning it is unlikely that you will experience sharp pain, but more of a dull pain that will eventually fade.

Do braces hurt when they’re tightened?

Visiting the orthodontist for monthly appointments is necessary when you have braces, and each month you visit your orthodontist will access the progress your teeth have made. Upon accessing your teeth, your wire, elastics or metal ties around the braces will be changed and/or adjusted.

After your monthly appointment it is normal to feel a bit of discomfort and pain as your teeth are moving and adjusting to your newly adjusted braces. This pain will usually reside within the first few days after your appointment.

Do braces hurt when I get them off?

You have finally reached the end of your orthodontic treatment and you are beyond excited to see that beautiful smile that you have been patiently waiting for, but is it going to hurt to get them removed?

Surprisingly enough, removal is very smooth and easy and you won’t feel much pain, if any at all. Your dentist will first remove your wire and then remove the brackets from each tooth, which usually pop off fairly easy. After all the brackets are removed, they will then make sure that all the glue has been removed from your teeth and polish them so you leave with pearly whites.

What can help the discomfort?

Now that you know what you may experience during your orthodontic treatment, there are some ways to help aid this discomfort.

1. Ibuprofen such as Advil or Motrin can help ease the pain and discomfort you may be experiencing.

2. Orthodontic wax can be provided by your orthodontist or purchased at a drugstore. This wax can cover up any parts of your braces that may be causing discomfort or soreness in your mouth.

3. Salt-water rinses can also help with discomfort if you are experiencing any irritation in your mouth.

Lastly, remember that any discomfort you feel is going to be 110% worth it when your braces are removed to reveal a crooked-less smile! 🙂

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