Dealing with Painful Braces

Did you recently get your braces tightened, or adjusted and are now in excruciating pain? You’re probably looking for advice on dealing with painful braces. The good news is we’ve got the answers you’re looking for. Seeing our Buffalo orthodontists for a free screening can be beneficial if you are experiencing an excessive amount of discomfort. In the meantime, keep reading to learn the best ways we recommend dealing with painful braces.

Placement

A lot of times, patients come into the office wondering, “Do braces hurt?” Interestingly, the truth is that, in and of themselves, braces are not painful. It is the forces braces apply to the teeth that actually cause discomfort. When we place braces, there is usually no pain associated with the placement itself. Once wires are placed onto those braces and begin to move the teeth, it is actually the wires that ultimately cause discomfort; however, that doesn’t usually happen immediately. Rather, it usually occurs the following day and dissipates soon thereafter. If you are dealing with painful braces, placement could be the cause.

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Continued Pain

In the past, when braces were put on, patients would suffer discomfort for weeks on end. Today, however, it’s very often observed that a patient who initiates orthodontics experiences some discomfort on the second and third days and then, beyond that point, their teeth will not be sore at all. In treatment, it is important to monitor this because, if pain persists beyond those first few days, it may be caused by something the orthodontist needs to address, such as ineffective rubber band wear or wires that may not be doing exactly what the orthodontist designed them to do. It is important to recognize that persistent pain in orthodontics is not a good sign. If you are dealing with painful braces that has been an ongoing or continued issue, contact us today for a free consultation and evaluation.

Dental Wax

If you feel that the inside of your mouth is getting irritated from rubbing against the metal brackets, you can find relief with dental wax. Just take a small piece of this wax in between your fingers, roll it into a ball and mold it over the bracket that is giving you trouble. It will last until you are ready to eat next. Just remove the wax before so you don’t eat it, then replace it after you’ve finished. You can do this as often as you need as it will help alleviate the discomfort when dealing with painful braces.

If you have any further questions or are looking for recommendations on dealing with painful braces, please call our experienced Buffalo orthodontists today at any of our five Western New York locations for a free screening. We welcome the opportunity to serve you.