Junggok-dong Dental Clinic: Is the Pain Felt During Orthodontic Treatment Within the Normal Range?

� Hello, this is S Leader Dental Hospital, Junggok-dong Dental Clinic.

When you first start orthodontic treatment, the very first change many people notice is pain.

For some, it is barely noticeable, while others may feel so sensitive for several days that even eating becomes difficult. That is why one of the questions patients ask most often is, “Is this pain normal?” and “Is it okay?”

When it comes to pain during orthodontic treatment, it is much more important to understand when it occurs and why, rather than simply dividing it into whether it hurts or not.

Orthodontic treatment is a process in which the surrounding bone (alveolar bone) gradually changes so that the teeth can move, and that process itself naturally creates slight pressure and stimulation.

Pain may not disappear completely, but some pain is within the normal range, while other pain may be a sign that you should check with the clinic right away.

Today, at S Leader Dental Hospital, Junggok-dong Dental Clinic, we will explain in detail the various types of pain felt during orthodontic treatment one by one below.

1. Why does it hurt when you first start orthodontic treatment?

Right after braces are first attached or the wire is replaced, most people feel a heavy, pressing pain.

This pain is a natural reaction that appears as the surrounding bone prepares to change when the teeth begin to move.

In general, this pain is strongest on days 1 to 3, and then gradually eases after 5 to 7 days. During this period, it helps to eat soft foods rather than hard foods. For example, rice porridge, steamed eggs, soft soups, or broth-based dishes can reduce the burden, so please keep that in mind.

However, pain that may indicate a problem is pain that gradually becomes worse or shows no sign of improving even after several days. In particular, if that pain is limited to one or two teeth, it may mean the direction of tooth movement or the balance of force is not correct, so it should be checked.

2. Why does it hurt more when chewing?

When undergoing orthodontic treatment, most people say, “It hurts when I chew.” This pain is actually very common and is a normal reaction caused by pressure on the teeth.

[Why does this pain occur?] The roots of the teeth are not directly connected to the nerves; instead, they are connected to the alveolar bone through a small cushion-like tissue called the periodontal ligament.

When orthodontic force moves the teeth, this periodontal ligament is compressed or stretched, and that process creates a “sharp” or “dull” pain when chewing.

However, if chewing pain suddenly becomes severe, if only one side hurts significantly, if it feels like the teeth do not touch at all, or if, on the contrary, it feels like only one spot is touching too strongly, this may be a sign that the balance of the bite (occlusion) has shifted and should be checked.

3. Discomfort when the appliance rubs the inside of the mouth

What many patients find more uncomfortable than tooth pain during orthodontic treatment is actually sores inside the mouth.

Parts of the orthodontic appliance such as brackets, wire ends, and elastic hooks can rub the inside of the cheeks, tongue, or lips and cause small ulcers (mouth ulcers). These sores can be quite painful and may last longer than expected.

Using wax can gently protect the areas where metal touches and help prevent sores from forming or getting worse.

Also, at first the appliance may feel awkward inside the mouth, but after about 2 to 3 weeks the oral mucosa adapts to the position of the metal, and the discomfort decreases significantly.

However, if the wire is sticking out and feels like it is poking the tissue, or if a part of the appliance has come loose and created a sharp edge, that is a situation that requires an immediate visit.

If left untreated, the wound can become deeper and lead to inflammation.

[This pain is not normal — signs you must check]

Most pain during orthodontic treatment is part of the normal process, but the following cases are exceptions.

1. When the pain gets worse day by day

2. When the gums swell, bleed, or feel warm

3. When touching a specific tooth causes very strong pain

4. When it becomes uncomfortable to chew on only one side

5. When a stabbing pain continues even without touching the appliance

In these cases, there may be other causes hidden behind the pain, such as gum inflammation, cavities, root problems, or bite abnormalities, rather than simple orthodontic pain.

During orthodontic treatment, teeth move and the gums also change, so it is important to quickly identify the cause even for small changes. If checked early, most issues can be adjusted without major problems, but if you just put up with it, it can lead to greater discomfort or pain.

4. Simple ways to reduce orthodontic pain

When the pain is severe, you can get help with a few methods.

✔ Rinse with lukewarm water

This helps relax tension in the muscles and gums and can relieve pain. On the other hand, water that is too hot or too cold may actually increase sensitivity, so it is better to avoid it.

✔ Choose a soft diet

For the first 2 to 3 days, hard foods can make the pain much worse. During this period, eating mainly soft foods helps recovery happen faster.

✔ Make active use of orthodontic wax

Sores caused by metal appliances can be prevented in almost all cases by applying wax. In particular, using it while sleeping can greatly reduce the soreness you feel in the morning.

✔ Use a simple pain reliever

(※ Take it according to a doctor’s prescription or your individual medication guidelines)

Rather than enduring too much, properly managing pain can also help recovery.

[Orthodontic pain: don’t just endure it — manage it]

Orthodontic treatment is not simply a process of lining up teeth; it is a precise treatment in which the teeth, gums, bone, and jaw joint all move together.

That is why it is important to identify the cause of even small amounts of pain accurately, and knowing why it hurts makes treatment much less stressful.

Even if there is some discomfort, most of it naturally goes away with time, and as your body adapts to the orthodontic appliance, the frequency of pain gradually decreases.

What matters is not thinking, “It should be fine,” and enduring it on your own, but rather telling the clinic exactly what feels uncomfortable and getting it adjusted.

When you are with Junggok-dong Dental Clinic, S Leader Dental Hospital,

the orthodontic process can be even more comfortable

Pain during orthodontic treatment is to some extent a natural process, but if discomfort continues or suddenly becomes severe, early evaluation is most important. In many cases, even a small adjustment can greatly reduce the pain, so rather than enduring it alone, it is better to seek consultation right away.

At S Leader Dental Hospital, Junggok-dong Dental Clinic, we carefully manage the various discomforts that can arise during orthodontic treatment and provide customized adjustments so that patients can continue treatment as comfortably as possible.

If you are worried about pain during orthodontic treatment, please do not hesitate to have it checked carefully with S Leader.

Junggok-dong Dental Clinic :: S (Leader) Dental Hospital