When thinking about getting braces, prospective patients automatically think of the pain which many patients associate with them. Unfortunately, yes, braces do hurt from time to time. However, this pain is not constant and usually not as bad as it is said to be. A good way to avoid and reduce pain which results from braces is to know exactly why your braces might hurt. Dr. Raymond Kubisch and Dr. Andrew Ferris of Kubisch & Ferris Orthodontics are here to share what might be causing your new braces to hurt and some ways you can reduce the pain during treatment.

Why do Braces hurt?

Many patients know that dental braces hurt, but most people don’t understand why. The mouth is a very sensitive part of the body and adding new brackets, wires, and other appliances can cause some occasional pain or discomfort. According to Drs. Kubisch and Ferris, braces can hurt for a variety of reasons including:

1. Irritation inside the mouth

   When you first get orthodontic braces, your mouth needs a few days to adjust. This new addition on the fronts of your teeth takes up room in your mouth, and your mouth now needs to figure out how to live with the braces. This can sometimes result in irritation as the braces, and your teeth/gums are interacting for the first time. However, once the two are comfortable, the irritation should disappear.

2. Broken bracket

   Dental braces are constantly under stress during your orthodontic treatment. This unyielding pressure can occasionally cause a break. Broken brackets are completely normal and happen to almost everyone at least once during treatment.  However, a broken bracket may cause some pain and irritation as there will likely be some “poking” of the mouth, especially if you have traditional metal braces. If this occurs, make an appointment with Drs. Kubisch and Ferris at Kubisch & Ferris Orthodontics as soon as possible to fix the problem and make sure no further problems or pain occurs.

3. Shifting of teeth

   We all know that dental braces shift your teeth to give you the healthy, picture-perfect smile you’ve dreamed of. This shifting of the teeth is what causes the most pain when it comes to braces. When your braces are tightened, they are aligning your teeth and essentially changing your teeth’s position in your mouth. This movement is what causes the most tension and pain in patients with orthodontic braces.

How to prevent braces from hurting?

While braces do hurt for a variety of reasons, there are also many different ways to combat this occasional pain.

1. Avoid hard foods

   When your braces get tightened, your teeth will naturally hurt for a little while because they are moving more than usual. During this time, hard foods should be avoided as they can bring more pain because of the amount of effort they take to chew. It also takes some time to get used to chewing with braces. Some foods which are better to eat when your braces hurt are soft foods such as pasta, mashed potatoes, yogurt, bananas, etc.

2. Take over-the-counter or doctor prescribed medication

   When your teeth hurt because of braces, there is nothing wrong with taking over-the-counter medicine or a medicine that Drs. Kubisch and Ferris prescribed to lessen the pain. Medicines, such as Tylenol and Advil can help subside the pain until your braces feel more comfortable in your mouth.

Braces can hurt for a variety of reasons. However, they are well worth it in the long run to get a healthy, sparkling smile! For more information about why braces hurt during treatment or to make an appointment with Dr. Raymond Kubisch, Dr. Andrew Ferris and Kubisch & Ferris Orthodontics, visit our office in Goleta, CA or contact us today at 805-964-4786.