How much will I hurt? Is it painful to wear braces?
Sun, May 11, 2008
Most prospective orthodontics patients are scared because of the pain this treatment might bring in. Sometimes the idea of shedding hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a treatment or having to go through this for 1-2 years doesn’t scare them as the idea of a tooth ache caused by the braces.
HOW MUCH WILL I HURT? IS IT PAINFUL TO WEAR BRACES?
“Not too much” and “so so” would be the 2 fast answers. Before you just renounce the idea of having straight teeth, let me try to explain this better. There are millions of people who treat their crooked teeth (many kids or teenagers), it shouldn’t be so painful. And it’s not.
I can tell you about my own experience in 2 systems: Damon (metal braces) and Invisalign. I got my metal braces 1 year ago. The entire process was scarier when reading about it, than the real thing. The braces got on my lateral teeth (we only braced these) on both arches and I was ready to go. With my dental wax too and the new life ahead of me. I was told to use Kethonal or any other painkiller if I couldn’t cope with the pain, prepare for few hard days and then it will be better. And it was.
After 2-3 hours I was already feeling some pressure on my teeth. It was something like my finger was in my mouth and I was pushing them a bit. Nothing too serious, sure, I didn’t take any medication. I ate with care and then went to sleep.
Morning came: I got up and accidentally clenched my teeth. AUCH! The pain almost made me scream. After getting some nice swearing done (that was the least I could do), I got to the kitchen to eat something. Yeah, sure. I wasn’t able to press my teeth against anything since it was painful. I didn’t hurt if they didn’t touch anything (so I just had my mouth slightly open as to have the teeth not touch). The pressure was still there, but the pain would appear ONLY when I clenched my teeth. So, I stopped doing this and didn’t take medication at all either. It really wasn’t the case.
I started eating mashed potatoes and all kinds of soft foods. For 2-3 days I was just like an old woman, even my grandma ate better (and you can imagine she didn’t miss the chance to observer how “old” I was).
In few days the pain wasn’t that big anymore and I started eating bread (not anything hard) and some foods that weren’t as soft as a newly born’s menu anymore. I was able to clench my teeth without kicking anyone and my brushing was more pleasant. I did try to keep a perfect hygene in the pain days and it was pretty nice.
After 1 week I was able to ditch the wax too (for few days I made my fill with dental wax and was certain I’d need some special deliveries, maybe a truck of wax, due to the huge need I had) and eat like a normal person. My doctor told me it would be a good idea to not try anything too hard (nuts or something like that) so that I don’t damage my braces, but God is my witness I could eat if I wanted to.
After each adjustment I’d have 1-2 days of some pain (not huge one, never took medication for this) and then it was all OK. The first days are the worse (when you get braced in), afterwards your teeth get adjusted to the braces so that you’d be able to “recover” faster from each adjustment.
Now I have Invisalign and still expect that pain. Maybe I got used to the metal braces that are a bit more “strong” or maybe I am just lucky. After getting the Invisalign trays on I got home and started eating fast (so that I can then eat soft foods again because of the possible pain). Waited for some hours, no pain. Just a slight pressure on my teeth. Next day: one incisor hurt. “Thank God, I’m normal.” Nothing else. In few hours the incisor stopped hurting while I was able to eat normally, even if I was prepared for another “old woman menu” for some days at least.
1 week into the treatment: I really doubt I’ll see pain anymore. I still feel that slight pressure on the teeth (more like a tickle) and nothing more. Looks like my life now will be pain-free. So .. the painkillers can remain untouched.
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My conclusion would be that you should expect SOME pain. There are patients who are more sensitive and need some medication, at least in those first days, while others are “dancing” through the treatment. Just don’t fear this pain that much since it doesn’t last and in some cases it might not even appear. Just schedule that meeting with your orthodontist and DO IT. I tell you I don’t regret this, even if I was in pain for weeks. My treatments were so easy that I would be crazy not to finish this or not think that it’s too bad I didn’t do this earlier.
Tags: braces, orthodontics, pain, treatment
June 3rd, 2008 at 5:54 pm
I’ve had my braces for 20 months now (I wear the Damon or “speed” braces) and in all honesty, my teeth STILL hurt. It was so unbearable for me in the first 8-10 weeks that I lost 20 lbs (a great diet plan!) because I couldn’t chew anything so all I did was drink Crystal Light. It levelled off for awhile until I was informed that elastics (small latex rings attaching to the upper and lower jaws at the back in a criss-cross fashion). That is when I feel most of the pain. Also note, I’m fanatical about the possibility of developing periodontal disease, so I brush, floss and get ultra regular cleanings like a maniac! I still have difficulty with eating very chewy foods, too, so I try to avoid them.
Everyone’s braces experience is different, so don’t be discouraged. My treatment was due to 110% overbite (class 2 malocclusion) and tipped teeth. My teeth are also very small and with a gummy smile so I will need crown lengthening when the brackets come off in about another year. I’m also a wimp when it comes to pain, so don’t despair, it might be a completely different experience for you. Lots of other people I talked to when the braces first came on said they also had braces as adults and that their experience was indeed different than mine. It will be worth it for sure. Good luck!
June 4th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Sandii welcome to the site and thank you for telling us your story.
I am so sad to hear you had to go through such pain. In my case it was painful for few days and that was it. I didn’t require elastics though, hear they’re a “pleasure”.
I agree with the fact braces feel different for each of us. Some face a lot of pain, others almost nothing, it depends in the end on many things. The thing is that IT’S WORTH IT in the end. Even after all these months of pain and problems the results does make you feel accomplished. I have 1 year and a half now in Invisalign, but I just go for it and will celebrate the result when it’s all done.
Never knew there was something to be done with the “gummy smile” issue. I have some friends with similar problem and they never knew there are cosmetic options for this too. In my case I have big teeth (not quite horse like, but big), that’s what caused the crowding in the end. When I’ll finish the treatment it’s gonna be OK.
Taking good care of your teeth during the treatment is a good idea. In this case you don’t risk cavities that would only make the treatment longer and with more problems.
I wish you all the best with the treatment and I hope I’ll see you again on the site
June 5th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
i am always afraid because doc says they have to remove one teeth so that others can have space
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June 5th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Hello Addiction Treatment and welcome to the forums
Maybe it’s a good idea to not worry that much. These extractions are not such a problem and they are a good idea to make space to straighten the teeth. I had 3 extractions in 8 days and it was pretty OK.
August 31st, 2008 at 1:10 pm
i had braces 2 DAYS before n it is painful.. first day was really painful n i had to take painkiller to eliminate some pain but as of now it is better but not perfect.. doctor says that it will take 6-9 months for my treatment.. is it possible that it will b done so soon?
October 14th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
braces hurt alot i got mine today and im in so much pain , its caused me to cry and i dont cry alot. i cant eat or sleep (N)
October 27th, 2008 at 4:28 am
You will have some bad days, but then it’s gonna be OK. You can take some sort of a painkiller (Ketonal or what you have there, not something very strong) .. 2-3 times and I think it’s gonna be OK.
Pain is good in this case, means the braces started working
November 6th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
I hated wearing braces as a child. I was fat with braces. Everytime I smile the braces hurt me bad. Thanks god now i have a great smile.
November 27th, 2008 at 1:57 am
I’ve had my braces on now for almost a year. They weren’t painful to be put on at all. The pain came when they had to be tightened. I just got them tightened about 2 days ago. It doesn’t hurt to to bad but its just an annoying dull pain, and I feel like my jaw is locked into postition so I don’t move it too much to feel pain. lol. But the absolute worst part was when I get the bottom ones put on. I had the top put on first then about six months later the bottom ones. I don’t know what it was about those bottom ones but they were yanking and pulling so hard. Ugh. It hurt. But you get used to it and the pain goes away until your next visit. dun dun dahhh!! hehe.
December 5th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Hey, I just got my braces on yesterday.
But the braces are all digging into the insides of my mouth, making it all sore. Do you have any suggestion as to what I can do to relieve it? Other than painkillers that is.
Would greatly appreciate it.
December 7th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
I got my braces fitted 4 days ago and my experience was exactly like yours! The following morning after getting them on I accidentally clenched my teeth and the pain was incredible! It’s gradually getting better and I consciously remember to keep my mouth slightly open to avoid any accidental clenching. My teeth are still sore and tender and I can really only manage soft foods, but its really not totally awful.
I’m looking forward to the day the soreness disappears a little and I can eat a nice cooked breakfast!
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:24 am
HUMY, you can use dental wax. Have your orthodontist give you some and also instruct how to use. It was a real blessing those first days
Emma .. it will pass. I was incredibly sore for some days and afterwards it was all so easy and nice
December 29th, 2008 at 2:13 am
oh, the doctor said that i should wear braces. but i’m not really sure about it… because i’m so scare to wear braces. i mean is it very painful? which one is more painful? having a tooth decay or having a braces? geez, i hate my teeth. it’s so freaking ugly and not straight… what should i do? should i wear braces or not? I already told my mom that i want to wear braces. but my mom didn’t seemed to agree about it. Duhh, braces is expensive! oh, I’m planning that I’ll wear braces next year, hopefully.
wish me luck. (:
January 31st, 2009 at 5:48 pm
hi i had my braces put on two days ago my teeth are really sore i cant chew anything i just want to rip them off but no it will be worth it in the long run i have been takin the strongest pain releif the pharmacy has which was strong nurofen how long will it be like this 4 at the mo i can only eat soup and ice cream and drink juice thats not cold i have a feelin i will loose some wieght if this carrys on much longer haha but seriously its soo painful!!
September 20th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
for me i just have these brace on on Friday (18/09/2009) man, the first few hour it feel nothing just little bit strange in the mouth, but after 6hrs, it start to fell VERY Painful, and i almost refuse to eat my lunch, after that i start miss my favourite (Which is most of them are sugary and hard food like Fried chicken in KFC) but after i took some painkiller like panadol, then after 30mins, it start to feel better and better, and now it feel just normal, like there nothing happen just feel strange. and in the next 7weeks i’ll have the adjustment, and i looking forward for the PAIN again!
October 17th, 2009 at 10:15 am
i have to get mine this weekend and i am so scared!
October 26th, 2009 at 11:32 am
i just got braces 3 days ago n they hurt sooo bad… i am sick and tired of yogurt and soup!!! is there any thing else 2 eat!?!UGH!! i wish i could just yank these thing off right now!!!!!!!!