Braces Pain

One of the most common reasons for youth to loathe or avoid getting braces is fear of braces pain. Now it’s true that dental braces can cause you plenty of pain, but it’s pain that can be easily enough handled. Plus, pain from your dental braces is a good thing – it means they’re working!! Don’t begrudge the pain; instead learn how to make the most of it, and think about how much better you’ll feel with a smile to be proud of.

 

Dental braces, whether made of the traditional metal brackets and wires or consisting of plastic trays like those used with Invisalign, will cause pain. Why will they cause pain? Because to move your teeth into a straighter position the braces literally have to pull your teeth through the bones of your mouth. It’s actually an impressive feat that we have oversimplified to bothersome pain. One of the best things you can do to deal with the pain is simply keep some perspective. Remember that the pain now is a part of the reward at the end.

 

Well It Still Hurts

Even with a mind-over-matter mentality, we agree, your teeth braces are going to hurt. You can handle it better by following some simple advice. First, before you make a trip to the orthodontist for the placement of the braces or a tightening, take a pain killer like Ibuprofen or Tylenol. An adult might need more than a teen, but it’s effective no matter what your age. If you’re using Invisalign, most patients suggest that you change your trays at night so the initial pain happens during your sleep. Taking the medication before the pain begins is one of the best ways to curb a headache and keep yourself from feeling the brunt of the pain. Initially the pain might last a few days, but it should subside and you might only suffer occasional twinges of pain.

 

It is highly advisable to refrain from eating hard foods in the beginning. Your teeth are going to be sore, and adding undue pressure isn’t smart. Allow your mouth to deal with the pain by eating soft foods like mashed potatoes or soup. Drinking smoothies and eating other cold foods can also help numb the pain and reduce the inflammation. You can also try sipping hot drinks and soups to increase blood flow and help break up the pain and reduce inflammation.

 

For many orthodontic patients, there is another kind of pain that will come to you as well. When your teeth are covered by metal brackets with sharp edges and points, you’ll discover the soft tissues of your mouth are under attack. For some their mouths are quite sensitive to the braces while others are fairly unaffected, but everyone gets a sore or two. It is important to deal with these wounds carefully. Do not lick at them or prod them with your tongue or finger. You will irritate the wounds and this will prolong their healing time. Avoid acidic or vinegary foods. The dentist will provide you with dental wax to cover the sharp or irritating points of your braces and save you some pain. Many patients suggest that it’s best to cover your braces at first so your lips can get used to it, and keep the wax on at night.

 

Many patients find the pain relief by rinsing their mouth with warm salt water. The warm saline solution will gently cleanse and numb the wounds or inflamed parts of your mouth. It is recommended that you use saltwater rinses two or three times a day.

 

Smile Through the Pain

There are myths out there that might catch you by surprise. Some people claim, for instance, that Invisalign doesn’t hurt. This isn’t true. Many Invisalign patients will tell you the pain of constant pressure on the teeth can cause great headaches. Of course the smooth trays are much more comfortable, and it’s understandable that many patients prefer Invisalign to traditional metal braces. But traditional braces, despite the pain, move teeth much faster than Invisalign, and for some, speeding up the process is worth the pain.

 

The best thing you can do is smile through the braces pain; endorphins are powerful and a positive person feels less pain than a negative one!