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One of the most commonly asked questions about braces is whether placing them causes any pain or discomfort. The honest answer is that braces do not hurt at all when they are applied to the teeth, so there is no reason to be anxious about the placement appointment. There will be mild soreness or discomfort after the orthodontic wire is engaged into the newly placed brackets, which may last for a few days to a week. Most patients experience some discomfort the first 4 days to a week after their braces, expanders, and/or wires are placed and after a wire adjustment and/or an activation appointment. Your lips and cheeks may need one to two weeks to get used to the braces on your teeth. All the appliances and wires that we use are cutting-edge, and exert very light, continuous, and biologically sound forces that greatly decrease any soreness associated with orthodontic treatment. But, some mild, and rarely moderate, discomfort is still to be expected. Each person will gradually adapt to the discomfort associated with the orthodontic tooth movement. Over the counter pain relievers (Advil/Motrin work well) normally taken for headaches plus rigorous regimen of salt water rinses can be used to greatly ease the discomfort.

DEALING WITH DISCOMFORT

All orthodontic discomfort can be effectively managed. Over-the-counter pain medication (ibuprofen ie. Motrin and Advil usually works best if no allergies exist) and orthodontic relief wax/silicone will help alleviate any soreness and discomfort following placement of braces and orthodontic adjustment visits. If possible, begin the pain reliever before the soreness begins and continue it every few hours (per the manufacturer’s recommendations). Other effective and useful remedies are rigorous salt-water rinses (warm water combined with as much salt as you can tolerate, rinsing 6-12 times a day) and to chew sugar-free gum