Do braces hurt?
As a general rule, braces do not “hurt.” After some visits, teeth may be sore for a few days. In these situations, pain medications such as ibuprofen (e.g., Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) can be used to ease the discomfort. However, after most visits, patients do not feel any soreness at all! We often remind our patients, it does not have to hurt to work! Back to Top 17.
Well not really, it’s more like an ache. This is because your teeth are not used to the pressure and your cheeks are not used to the metal or ceramic rubbing against them. After wearing braces for a week or so, the pain and discomfort begins to diminish. You can use dental wax and topical anaesthetic to help create a barrier between the braces and any sores that develop on your gums (the sores usually heal within a few days). In a week or two the pain generally goes away. You sometimes even forget that you’re wearing braces! Your teeth may also hurt again for several days after your adjustment, but by then you are used to it and it does not bother you as much.
Minor discomfort has to result when we apply pressure to the teeth. This usually lasts about 48 to 72 hours and then the teeth are comfortable again. Each succeeding adjustment will mean some minor discomfort, although our patients report a lessening of the discomfort as the treatment progresses. During the first few days after you get your braces and after major adjustments, some discomfort can be expected, especially when chewing. Many patients describe the discomfort as an “ache” or a “bruise.” Please see the First Aid section for helpful hints on how to adjust to these times.The good news is that new techniques and materials used by orthodontists today have decreased the discomfort of wearing braces and have also decreased the frequency of visits and overall treatment time.
It is normal for patients to experience mild tenderness of the teeth immediately after placement of braces or adjustment of wires. This tenderness is rarely severe and normally will go away a few days after each appointment. Local anesthetic injections (“shots”) are not required for orthodontic treatment.
