Do braces hurt?
Top A: There have been some fantastic advances in the way we do things now in orthodontics to make treatment more comfortable for our patients. These include smaller, smoother brackets, and gentler wires which provide a continuous small force over a long period of time rather than a strong force for only a short period. Typically there is some discomfort two to three days after each adjustment that over-the-counter pain relievers can take care of.
There have been some fantastic advances in the way we do things now in orthodontics to make treatment more comfortable for our patients. These include smaller, smoother brackets, and gentler wires which provide a continuous small force over a long period of time rather than a strong force for only a short period. Typically there is some discomfort two to three days after each adjustment that over the counter pain relievers can take care of.
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!
