How Can You Reduce Braces Pain?

I decided I should get braces, so I searched the internet. But there was more information than I expected, and it made my head feel cluttered. Keywords like “facial changes after braces” and “braces side effects” were on my mind, but what I feared most was the talk about “braces pain.”

After reading reviews about the pain and discomfort related to orthodontic treatment, I became even more hesitant. It wasn’t just a matter of putting on braces and being done with it; I heard that I would have to endure pain for several years. I’m usually sensitive when receiving dental treatment, so even a small cavity filling is difficult for me, and I worried whether I could really handle braces pain.

For people who already have a fear of dental care, worry about braces pain alone can be enough to make them afraid to even start orthodontic treatment and give up.

The degree and type of pain felt during orthodontic treatment can vary from person to person, and because the sensation of pain itself is subjective, if you understand the treatment process well and also learn about ways to reduce braces pain or how to cope with it, your fear caused by pain can be improved and become something you can overcome.

The degree of pain felt during orthodontic treatment can also differ depending on the treatment method, the appliance used, and whether teeth are extracted. Orthodontic treatment moves the teeth and helps them settle into new positions, so discomfort or pain can occur as constant pressure is applied. However, this pain gradually eases over time, so there is no need to worry too much. Also, because there are ways to reduce braces pain during treatment, it would be good to use various methods to make the process more comfortable.

The main reason orthodontic pain occurs is that as the teeth move, the surrounding tissues and nerves are stimulated. Teeth are fixed by the gum bone and periodontal ligaments, and when orthodontic appliances are attached, the teeth move slowly and pressure is applied to the periodontal ligaments. As a result, blood flow decreases and metabolic substances that stimulate the nerves are produced, causing pain. During this process, the bone on the compressed side is resorbed, and new bone is formed in the extra space on the opposite side, which is why pain occurs.

In particular, at the beginning of treatment, the pain may feel stronger because the teeth need to adapt to new forces, but as time passes and the teeth become accustomed to moving, the pain gradually decreases.

In general, orthodontic treatment that involves tooth extraction may be more painful. After extraction, adjacent teeth move to fill the empty space, and during this process, stronger forces than before may be applied, which can increase discomfort.

Also, after extraction, the gums need to heal, and then additional pressure is applied as the teeth move. So, during the early stages of treatment, relatively more pain occurs. If you can clearly determine whether your case requires extraction orthodontics or whether non-extraction orthodontics is possible, it can help you understand how much discomfort you may need to tolerate. Even if you undergo extraction orthodontics, the pain after extraction will ease over time, so during periods when the pain becomes stronger, there are also ways to reduce braces pain, such as adjusting your meals and taking appropriate measures like pain relievers.

The level of pain can also vary depending on the type of orthodontic appliance. When using regular metal brackets, you may initially feel discomfort as the metal touches the inside of your mouth. In particular, because a certain amount of force is applied each time the orthodontic wire is adjusted, chewing may be uncomfortable for a few days. On the other hand, when using self-ligating brackets such as Clippy C, friction is reduced, so tooth movement may be relatively faster and the pain may feel less intense. In addition, clear aligners or Invisalign are removable, and the pain caused by the appliance is relatively less than with conventional braces.

As a way to reduce braces pain, it is best to eat soft foods at the beginning of treatment. Because the teeth are under pressure while moving, chewing hard foods can make the pain feel worse. Eating soft foods such as porridge or soup can reduce the burden on the teeth and ease pain.

A more direct method is to take pain relievers. At the beginning of treatment or when the pain is severe, taking pain relievers prescribed by the dentist can help. However, rather than relying on pain relievers unconditionally, it is better to use them only when necessary along with proper care. Also, using orthodontic wax provided by the dentist can prevent the appliance from scratching or injuring the inside of the mouth, helping reduce discomfort caused by the type of braces.

In summary, braces pain is largely relative, and once you have started orthodontic treatment, some discomfort may be unavoidable. However, because these differences depend on each person’s treatment method, it is best to first discuss your treatment plan thoroughly with an orthodontic specialist. If you are especially worried about braces pain, I hope you can get more advice from the orthodontist on ways to reduce braces pain and plan your treatment well.