Feeling A Little Sore After Tightening? These Tips Can Help

A COMMON QUESTION we hear from patients is “will it hurt?”

First of all, modern braces are much more comfortable than they were 20 years ago—so don’t listen to silly stories from your uncle Fred. However, your mouth is a very sensitive place, so some patients experience a little bit of discomfort in the beginning or after their braces are tightened.

So What’s Normal?

Everyone feels different. You may experience a mild achey pressure. Some people feel like their teeth are loose, and others can be irritated by the hard brackets rubbing against their cheeks and lips.

All of this gets much better VERY quickly. The first few days after placing braces may be the hardest. It may take a week or two for things to feel normal, and it can take up to a month for you to get to the point where you don’t even notice your braces.

After each tightening appointment, you may experience a day or two of discomfort, but it will go away quicker the longer you’re in braces.

What Can You Do To Minimize Discomfort?

1. Plan meals with soft food for when you start treatment, and each day that you go in for a tightening.
2. Don’t be stingy with the wax. Use it to cover a bracket or hook that’s rubbing against sensitive skin.
3. For pain and headaches, we may recommend taking a mild painkiller like Tylenol.
4. DON’T pick at your braces. This can greatly increase your treatment time.

Hang In There! It’s Worth It!

If you’ve just started with braces and you’re feeling uncomfortable, hang in there— it will get much better! And if you’re a seasoned alumni of braces, let us know your take on braces discomfort below. Do you have any tips to add?

We’re so excited to be taking this amazing journey with you. Let us know if there’s ever anything we can do to make your treatment better.

Thanks for putting your trust in our team. We appreciate you!