No one wants braces to be uncomfortable. Alas, temporary discomfort is the norm with braces and Invisalign – it’s a natural part of the alignment process. The reasons braces hurt sometimes are valid and, over time, tolerance and understanding grow to make the journey far less troublesome or painful. Pretty soon you’ll be saying, “Sometimes, braces just hurt, and my smile is worth it.”
1. The First Day of Braces
The day you get your braces is exciting, but it can also be a little miserable. You’ve gone from teeth that are free to teeth encumbered by brackets, wires, and rubber bands – and they are already moving your teeth and tooth roots with consistent pressure. Braces inevitably cause your mouth to be sore or have a dull ache for several days.
2. Soft Tissue Trouble
It’s not just teeth affected orthodontic treatment, it’s the soft tissues in your mouth too. Gums may be irritated or tender because of hardware rubbing against lips, cheeks, and gums. This can cause sores of irritation or tender spots.
3. After Adjustments
Not every orthodontic adjustment is a big change, though some are more significant than others, especially teeth that need to be twisted, extruded, turned, or pulled together. Every six to eight weeks, archwires are replaced or tightened to activate new pressure to move teeth and elastics are changed. Sensitivity and whether your braces hurt will vary depending on where specific moves are made.
4. Broken Bits
If a bracket or archwire breaks during treatment, see your orthodontist right away. Damaged hardware pokes soft tissues and causes irritation, plus this destruction can interrupt the progress of treatment. The last thing anyone wants to do is prolong the orthodontic journey if it can be avoided.
5. Ligament Connections
The small ligaments that connect each tooth to its bone move during orthodontic treatment. When compressed or stretched, ligaments can feel tight or uncomfortable. The inflammatory response this engages can make your mouth feel sore just like muscles and joints feel sore after a workout.
Ways to Combat Mouth Pain When Braces Hurt
There are plenty of at-home remedies to help you manage braces pain and get through those early hours and days after an adjustment (many of these apply to Invisalign patients too).
- Use an over-the-counter pain reliever to reduce inflammation and pain.
- Rinse with warm saltwater to minimize inflammation and speed up healing of mini cuts or irritations.
- Apply orthodontic wax to specific areas of frustration so they stop being abrasive. Careful placement can help stop the issue in its tracks until your mouth adapts.
- Eat soft foods to make eating more comfortable and minimize pressure on teeth.
- Stay hydrated to keep your mouth moist and reduce any braces irritation.
If you can’t find any relief when your braces hurt, contact Soleil Orthodontics in Woodinville, WA, and ask for suggestions or schedule a checkup to make sure all is well with your orthodontics. Whenever you have questions, concerns, or difficulties with your braces, don’t suffer unnecessarily. We are here to help you achieve your goals by minimizing the discomfort as much as possible.’t suffer unnecessarily. We are here to help you achieve your goals by minimizing the discomfort as much as possible.
