Do braces hurt?

Do braces hurt?

Healthline says usually not too badly. Getting braces put on should not be painful, though bands may cause slight pinching or pressure. The soreness starts later. The AAO explains why: braces move teeth by applying steady pressure, which triggers bone remodeling, stretches the ligaments that hold each tooth, and can irritate the cheeks, lips and gums, and each adjustment reapplies force so soreness can return.

How long does braces pain last?

After fitting, Healthline says soreness in the teeth and gums typically starts within a few hours and lasts about a week, and that most people get used to braces in about a month. The AAO says soreness usually lasts a few days, as a dull ache rather than sharp pain, with peak discomfort in the first 24 to 48 hours. The NHS says teeth may be sore for a few days after fitting.

After a tightening, the AAO says soreness typically fades within a few days, and Healthline says it usually lasts a few days and is less intense than after the initial placement. The AAO says adjustments are every four to six weeks in this article, and elsewhere says every 6 to 10 weeks, and the NHS says about every 6 to 8 weeks, so your own schedule may differ.

How to ease braces pain

The AAO and Healthline list the same set of measures, and they all give relief rather than speed up healing. There is no way to stop braces pain immediately, but these help.

• Eat soft foods such as mashed potatoes, soup, yogurt, smoothies and scrambled eggs, and avoid crunchy, chewy or sticky foods.
• Orthodontic wax over any bracket or wire that rubs your cheek or lips.
• A cold compress on the outside of the cheek for 10 to 15 minutes.
• A warm salt water rinse, about a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, swished for around 30 seconds.
• Oral anesthetic gels for sore spots, used as the label directs.
• Over-the-counter pain relief, with the caveat in the next section.

Painkillers: where sources differ

Healthline says most braces pain can be treated with over-the-counter medicines, that acetaminophen is a common choice, and that some people use ibuprofen or naproxen, which can also reduce gum inflammation. The AAO lists ibuprofen and acetaminophen and says ibuprofen can reduce inflammation. Cleveland Clinic advises against ibuprofen and other NSAIDs, saying they can interfere with tooth movement, and suggests acetaminophen instead.

Because the advice differs, ask your orthodontist which you should use, and follow the label or a pharmacist's advice. Do not exceed the dose on the label.

Sores and cuts inside the mouth

Healthline says that in the first week the inside of the cheeks and the tongue can get sores or cuts, and that cheek irritation from brackets typically settles within about a month. Orthodontic wax over the rubbing part helps, and warm salt water rinses soothe. The AAO lists acidic foods and drinks such as citrus, soda and vinegar-based dressings among things to limit because they can irritate sore areas.

Does it hurt when braces come off?

Healthline says removal should not be painful. The teeth are cleaned and you are fitted for a retainer, which may need to be worn daily or only at night and should not cause pain. The AAO page we read does not cover discomfort after braces are removed, so we cannot give more detail than that. If your teeth or gums are sore after removal, mention it to your orthodontist.

When pain is not normal

The AAO says to call your orthodontist for severe or long-lasting pain, or for a broken or loose bracket or wire, since broken parts can irritate your mouth and may extend treatment. The NHS says to contact the orthodontist if pain lasts more than a few days after fitting or adjustment, gums are very red, swollen or painful, or the braces are broken.

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