Does Modern Orthodontics Hurt? A Little, But You Can Manage

Photo By Yingpis Kalayom on Unsplash

Okay, so you are wondering if your braces, clear aligners, or lingual braces are going to hurt. The answer is there might be a little discomfort at first while your teeth begin moving…but don’t panic. It isn’t unbearable and you can manage it. Here’s what you need to know about whether modern orthodontics hurt and what you can do about it.

Moving teeth, whether by braces or by clear aligners involves, well, moving teeth. When patients first get braces or start their first clear aligner tray, the gentle pressure applied to the teeth might result in a little bit of aching or throbbing. However, this pain or pressure is not immediate. The minor discomfort tends to settle in after the modern orthodontic treatment has been doing its job for a little while, later that day or in the evening following your appointment.

Some of the discomfort a patient in braces should expect includes:

• Sore gums

• Broken skin on the inside of the cheek from rubbing against the brackets on the teeth for patients with braces

• Possible sores or cuts on the tongue from exploring the feeling of the braces in the mouth

• Soreness in the teeth, particularly when trying to chew

Patients in lingual braces should expect:

• Soreness in teeth, particularly when trying to chew

• Possible sores or cuts on the tongue from exploring the feeling of the braces in the mouth

• Some speaking challenges as the mouth and tongue get used to the smart wire involved

Patients in clear aligners should expect:

• Discomfort during chewing

• Temporary pain centered around one tooth

• Mild pain in the jaw or tongue

• Irritation in the gums at the edges of the aligners

Every patient’s experience is a little bit different, but most people find that any discomfort they feel after beginning treatment or after an adjustment subsides after a day or so and is manageable by over-the-counter medication. (However, if the pain is severe or persists over a week, be sure to call us, so we can ensure there isn’t another problem.) For these mild cases of discomfort, some of the things that can help include:

• Taking pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen as directed by your dental team

• Rinsing the mouth with saltwater, comprised of one teaspoon of salt for eight ounces of water

• Eating a soft diet for a couple of days to give the teeth a break from chewing

• Drinking and eating cold foods

• Using an ice pack on the outside of the mouth to reduce swelling

• Applying a numbing gel to the affected area for temporary relief

• Putting wax on the bracket or edges of the aligner tray to reduce friction on the inside of the mouth or gums

In addition, patients in braces can help prevent future discomfort by maintaining some minor behavior changes. First, skipping sticky or chewy foods that require a lot of chewing and can get stuck in braces is essential. Also, dental hygiene is essential. Patients should take care to brush and clean between the teeth twice daily to prevent tooth decay.

Gum Disease and Orthodontic Pain

Gum disease is a common condition many patients have. Gum disease is caused by an infection of bacteria in the mouth and gums and can result in swollen, bleeding gums. Left untreated, gum disease can worsen to include bone loss, jaw damage, and tooth loss.

Patients in braces or clear aligners with gum disease might experience more discomfort than patients with healthy gums. Treating gum disease is an important part of ensuring that your modern orthodontic treatment is as comfortable as possible.

However, there are treatments that can help an active gum infection and relieve these symptoms. Also, regular home care can keep your gums healthy during your modern orthodontic treatment.  If you think you might have any gum disease symptoms, be sure to talk about that with your dental team or with us so we can come up with a treatment plan that ensures your best possible oral health during your orthodontic treatment.

Which OTC Painkiller Should I Use?

Being comfortable during your treatment is something we take seriously at Bloom Smile Studio. We understand that even mild discomfort that you anticipate can be a problem for patients, so we encourage the use of over-the-counter  (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) painkillers to help manage any pain you experience.

Research indicates that these medications are all most people need to manage the discomfort associated with modern orthodontic treatment.  In addition, studies show that patients can even delay the onset of the symptoms and decrease their intensity if they take the medication one hour before their orthodontic procedures.[i]

However, there are a few OTC NSAIDs to choose from, so which one is best? A 2020 study in BMC Oral Health suggests that ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen are all appropriate pain medications to use to treat orthodontic discomfort. The researchers report that ibuprofen and naproxen achieve their peak effects a six hours, while acetaminophen increases in potency over a 24-hour period. Also, the researchers found that naproxen was even more effective at two hours or six hours than either acetaminophen (which begins working at two hours) and ibuprofen (which reaches its peak at six hours) and lasts for 24 hours.[ii] Be sure to ask us what is best for you based on your health history.

The bottom line is this: there is some mild discomfort with modern orthodontic treatments of any kind. However, for most patients, it subsides within a couple of days and is managed with OTC medication just fine. So, don’t let pain be the reason you choose not to get the modern orthodontic treatment you need to get the smile you always wanted.

To schedule your free consultation today, call Bloom SMILE STUDIO office in GARDEN GROVE at 714-430-8454.

Bloom SMILE STUDIO in GARDEN GROVE has a long history of improving our patient’s smiles. We provide modern orthodontic treatments delivered with old-fashioned excellence in patient experience. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Sources:

"Do Braces Hurt? What To Expect When You Get Braces". Medicalnewstoday.Com, 2022, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327201#:~:text=Braces%20can%20cause%20discomfort%20or,the%20inside%20of%20their%20mouth. Accessed 15 Nov 2022.

"Does Invisalign Hurt? Pain Level And More". Healthline, 2022, https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/does-invisalign-hurt. Accessed 15 Nov 2022.

Nast, Condé. "How AI Is Changing The Teeth-Straightening Game". Allure, 2021, https://www.allure.com/sponsored/story/inbrace-teeth-straightening-before-and-after-results-photos. Accessed 15 Nov 2022.

Cheng, Caiqi et al. "The Efficacy Of Analgesics In Controlling Orthodontic Pain: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis". BMC Oral Health, vol 20, no. 1, 2020. Springer Science And Business Media LLC, doi:10.1186/s12903-020-01245-w. Accessed 15 Nov 2022.

Krukemeyer, Amy M. et al. "Pain And Orthodontic Treatment". The Angle Orthodontist, vol 79, no. 6, 2009, pp. 1175-1181. The Angle Orthodontist (EH Angle Education & Research Foundation), doi:10.2319/121308-632r.1. Accessed 15 Nov 2022.

[i] Krukemeyer, Amy M. et al. "Pain And Orthodontic Treatment". The Angle Orthodontist, vol 79, no. 6, 2009, pp. 1175-1181. The Angle Orthodontist (EH Angle Education & Research Foundation), doi:10.2319/121308-632r.1. Accessed 15 Nov 2022.

[ii] Cheng, Caiqi et al. "The Efficacy Of Analgesics In Controlling Orthodontic Pain: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis". BMC Oral Health, vol 20, no. 1, 2020. Springer Science And Business Media LLC, doi:10.1186/s12903-020-01245-w. Accessed 16 Nov 2022.