Do Braces Hurt?

Orthodontic treatment with braces can hurt occasionally, but most often, the “hurt” reported by a patient is more of a “discomfort.” The best way to avoid and reduce any possible pain or discomfort that may be associated with braces is to keep a conscientious care schedule. Dr. Ana Castilla of Castilla Orthodontics knows that a patient who is consistently experiencing pain or discomfort associated with their braces near Dallas, OR should be examined for any problems with their orthodontic appliances.

Why do braces hurt?

The mouth is a very sensitive part of the body. Adding new brackets, wires, and other appliances to the teeth may cause an orthodontic patient some occasional pain or discomfort. But most people don’t understand or even care why they are in pain. Pain from orthodontic treatments with braces may be cause by a variety of factors:

• Irritation inside the mouth: Your mouth will need a few days to adjust once your new braces have been fitted and your teeth and gums are interacting with your appliances for the first time. These new additions to your teeth require your mouth to get comfortable with their presence. However, once the two are comfortable, the irritation will ease over time.

• Broken bracket: Your braces are constantly working. Because of this, there is always a possibility that something can break. Broken brackets should be expected, and they happen to almost everyone at least once during treatment. This can cause some pain and irritation because the broken bracket may poke at or tear the delicate surfaces in the mouth (especially if you have traditional metal braces). If this occurs, make an appointment with Dr. Ana Castilla and Castilla Orthodontics as soon as possible to fix the problem and make sure no further problems or pain occurs.

• Shifting of teeth: Braces shift your teeth to give you the healthy, picture-perfect smile you’ve always dreamed of. It’s important to know that the shifting of the teeth is what causes the most pain when it comes to braces. When your braces are tightened, they are working harder to align your teeth and essentially changing your teeth’s position in your mouth.

How do I keep my braces from hurting me?

To help you avoid minor pain or discomfort during your course of treatment with braces:

• Avoid hard foods. Dr. Ana Castilla says that hard foods should be avoided, especially after an adjustment appointment. The extra effort to chew these foods may cause or exacerbate any discomfort the patient may already feel. When your braces hurt, stick to soft foods such as pasta, mashed potatoes, yogurt, bananas, etc.
• Take over-the-counter or doctor-prescribed medication. When your teeth are hurting because of braces, Dr. Ana Castilla recommends taking an over-the-counter medicine that to lessen any pain. Medicines such as Tylenol, Advil, or Aleve can help ease the pain until your teeth and gums get used to their new positioning.

Braces may hurt, at least initially, because of how they work inside the mouth. The result of orthodontic treatment with braces, however, is a mouth of straight, functional, and healthy teeth and gums.

For more information about why braces hurt during treatment or to make an appointment with Dr. Ana Castilla and Castilla Orthodontics near Dallas, OR, call: 503.399.0721