There is a widely accepted misconception that braces are painful. This belief has deterred many people from getting life-changing orthodontic care to improve their cosmetic and health concerns. When considering treatment, Griffin & Errera Orthodontics doesn’t want the first thing that pops into your head to be, “Do braces hurt?” We won’t lie to you and say you won’t even notice your braces, but we can promise they are not unbearably miserable! To transform the question into, “When can I start?” we will share what to expect with braces.
What Are Braces And How Do They Work?
There are two different kinds of braces—fixed or removable—which further turns into different manufacturers, brands, and styles. At Griffin & Errera, we offer 3D-printed LightForce braces, traditional but modern metal braces, and Invisalign clear aligners so that we can deal with a broad range of needs. Each type has pros and cons, and which is right for you depends on your orthodontic needs, preferred responsibility level, and lifestyle.
No matter whether they are fixed or removable, the braces work the same way. The appliance applies pressure to your teeth (and jaw, if applicable) to gently move them to the desired location. However, the direction they move your teeth varies because Dr. Griffin and Dr. Errera create customized treatment plans for every patient to guarantee flattering and practical results.
Do Braces Hurt?
The answer is yes and no. Before you mumble how unhelpful that answer is, hear us out!
When your fixed braces are first applied, you will likely feel discomfort as your mouth adjusts. The friction against your cheek might initially feel weird, but you’ll quickly get used to it. Your teeth and gums could also feel a little sore because they are starting the movement process. Every few weeks, you will have a checkup appointment where we will adjust your wires to encourage teeth progression. You might feel soreness or aches for a few days after these appointments, too!
Your clear aligners have the same pattern. When you first begin wearing them, you will have a period of getting used to a foreign object in your mouth. The pressure will likely cause soreness and aches, just like with fixed braces. Since you will wear the trays for one to two weeks before advancing to the next in the set, whenever you put on a new pair, your mouth will feel a bit uncomfortable. After a few days, this will go away.
But, for the most part, your braces should not cause you pain or extreme discomfort! If they do, you should schedule an appointment with Griffin & Errera Orthodontics immediately so our orthodontists can find and fix the cause!
But Why Would They Hurt?
There are, unfortunately, a few situations where your braces might cause you more than a bit of soreness.
For fixed appliances, broken braces can (but not always) create pain. Wires sticking out and poking your cheek can make open wounds, and misplaced brackets can be annoying and cause irritation and cheek pinching. Fixed braces can be broken by eating food not part of the braces diet, facial injury or trauma, and being rough with oral hygiene.
Patients with removable clear aligners don’t have to worry about pain so much because their aligners are custom-designed for comfort and discretion. However, aligners that don’t fit properly for whatever reason can produce discomfort, and trays that are not taken care of can develop scratches and deformities that make them painful to wear.
Fortunately, damaged braces are usually avoidable with proper oral hygiene and braces maintenance. More good news—most of the time, broken braces are not an emergency, and your braces will still work as intended until you can come to Griffin & Errera Orthodontics and get them repaired.
Visit Griffin & Errera Orthodontics For Minimal Discomfort And Pain Relief!
Griffin & Errera Orthodontics makes your comfort during treatment a top priority. We can’t promise zero aches or tenderness, but we do our best to minimize unnecessary pain when treating you. We also provide you with all the information you need so you can do your part from home, too!
If you are a new patient and want to learn more about braces, including which treatment you qualify for, schedule a free consultation with us! For patients needing pain relief, guidance, or a checkup, contact our office to ask your questions or make an appointment.
Follow us on Facebook to find out more about us—you’ll quickly see that there’s nothing to be worried about with braces, even before you step into our office.