Is there pain while wearing braces?

YES, for a short time during the first couple of days. In fact it is indication that the braces are on their job; that is moving the teeth to the right position. The pain is due to the fact the roots of the teeth are loosening and allowing gradual movement of the teeth. But this pain is absolutely temporary phase, felt during the first week of wearing the braces and for a day or two as and when the arch wire is adjusted to modulate the pressure needed to move the teeth; later you get used to the braces in the mouth. 

Try the following to lessen the pain and discomfort while wearing braces.

Prevent Pain:

• Eat slowly and avoid chewing to the extent possible. Eat foods that require minimum chewing during the first few days of wearing the braces.
• Try sucking ice, don’t chew it. The ice makes the mouth and gums numb so that the pain is not felt.
• Take pain relieving tablets advised by the doctor, even if the pain is milder so that it would not aggravate. The tablets help to reduce the swelling and relieve pain thereof.
• Try mashing food with tongue pressed up to the palate, top of the mouth.
• Use back teeth if chewing is needed. It is just a practice for the comfort during the process of beautifying your smile.
• Apply wax on the metal parts of the braces or appliances touching any part of your mouth.
• Gargle salt water – warm or cold depending upon your comfort. Allow salt water to reach all corners of your mouth. This ensures the sores in the mouth caused by the braces are disinfected.
•  Do not touch the sores with tongue, it only aggravates the pain.

Food to take:

• Do not stop eating. Take semi solid foods only during the first week of wearing the braces. This will lessen the need for chewing. Take warm milk and soups as the heat will improve blood circulation and reduce pain.
• Avoid acidic juices like citrus fruit juices as they will hurt the sores.
• Eat ice cream twice a day .It will relieve inflammation of the gums and also give a soothing effect bringing down pain.

General:

• Rinse mouth with diluted hydrogen peroxide (one part of Hydrogen peroxide and one part of water). Just swish in mouth for a minute, twice a day till you feel comfortable. Use oral gels like Oragel which act as local anesthetics. Just dab the gel on the parts of cheek, gums or parts where the sores occurred. The gel will make the parts numb and the pain would not be felt for some time.
• Take the pain easy with a mindset that it is temporary discomfort for the best gain of sweet smile.
• The Dentist& Dontist Dental Clinic offers the advanced orthodontic treatment deploying the latest appliances and braces that have smoother surface. Also offer advanced techniques of treatment which bring the correction in half the time of normal orthodontic treatment. Visit our clinic to get your natural sweet smile back at the shortest time possible and painless.