How Long Do Braces Hurt When You First Get Them?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The discomfort typically disappears within four days, and braces pain rarely lasts longer than a week. When you first get braces, it’s also common to feel some pain in

your cheeks for about a week

. Thankfully, adjustments shouldn’t exacerbate this kind of discomfort.

Is it normal for braces to hurt at first?

Warning Signs. While

some pain is perfectly normal with braces

, especially on the first day or after tightening, there are some kinds of pain that mean something is going wrong. You should contact your orthodontist if you notice your braces hurt due to: Sudden, sharp pain in a tooth or spot on your gums.

How do you stop your braces from hurting when you first get them?

  1. Oral anesthetics. A simple way to get some braces pain relief is to rub an oral anesthetic like Orajel or Anbesol directly on the sensitive teeth and gums. …
  2. Over-the-counter pain medicine. …
  3. An ice pack. …
  4. Cold ice water. …
  5. Soft foods. …
  6. Orthodontic wax. …
  7. A warm rinse. …
  8. A gum massage.

Is the first week of braces the worst?

The hardest part about getting braces is

making it through the first week

. Your body is getting used to the strange, new pieces of metal in your mouth, and you probably feel a little sore at first. Once you get through the first week, you’re well on your way to a beautifully straight smile.

How long after getting braces can you eat normal foods?

After

about 3-4 days

, the soreness will start to go away and you can graduate to more solid foods, but always steer clear of those foods on the “do-not-eat list,” as they could cause damage to your teeth and braces.

When do braces hurt the most?

Most patients experience some discomfort the

first 4 days to a week after their braces

, expanders, and/or wires are placed and after a wire adjustment and/or an activation appointment. Your lips and cheeks may need one to two weeks to get used to the braces on your teeth.

Do braces make you cry?

Show the Results of Braces

Children usually find it difficult to adapt to the changes after getting braces. The equipment causes them discomfort and sometimes severe pain. They also have to give up on their favourite lollies and chocolates. Therefore,

they may cry and ask you to remove the braces

.

How long should braces hurt?

The discomfort typically disappears within four days, and braces

pain rarely lasts longer than a week

. When you first get braces, it’s also common to feel some pain in your cheeks for about a week. Thankfully, adjustments shouldn’t exacerbate this kind of discomfort.

Can I chew gum with braces?

Patients should not chew gum while they have their expander, but patients with traditional braces can chew gum if it is on the ADA

(American Dental Association) approved list of sugar-free gums

. These gums are sweetened by non-cavity causing sweeteners such as aspartame, sorbitol or mannitol.

Does chewing gum help braces pain?

Chewing sugarless gum helps increase saliva production. This neutralizes and washes away acids produced when foods and drinks are broken down by plaque bacteria on teeth. A small 2012 study and a 2016 study showed that

chewing gum may reduce the impact and pain caused by getting braces put on teeth

.

What can u not drink with braces?

  • Fizzy Drinks.
  • Carbonated Drinks.
  • Natural Fruit Juices.
  • Energy Drinks.
  • Sports Drinks.

Do braces change your face?


Yes

, undergoing orthodontic treatment can bring changes to a person’s face. Don’t worry though – the changes that braces will make are purely positive! Braces will fix alignment issues with your face and give you a more symmetrical, natural look to both your mouth and your jawline.

How do you sleep with braces pain?

If you sleep on your side or on your stomach—and thereby with your face sideways on your pillow—your braces will rub against your cheek.

Sleeping on your back is

the better option.

Do you lose weight with braces?

Weight loss

This is one of the most unexpected side effects of wearing braces. Some patients report losing weight as the result of

better food choices

. When you’re wearing braces, snacking between meals becomes a lot more effort.

How do braces feel the first few days?

At first your braces

will feel like they are sticking out

, which is completely normal. As you get used to your braces and tooth alignment improves, this sensation will disappear and will cease to be a concern. In fact, when you get your braces off, your teeth will feel strange without them for a while, too!

Do and don’ts wear braces?

Dos and Don’ts…


Don’t chew on ice

, lifesavers, hard candy, corn chips, pretzels or Fritos. Do ask us for an orthodontic mouth guard if you play any sport where you can get hit in the mouth. Don’t chew on pens, pencils or your fingernails. Do THINK before you toss hard foods in your mouth.

What happens the first month of braces?

By the end of the first month,

you may see your teeth have moved slightly

. From there, each time you get your braces adjusted, your teeth will move just a little more. After several months, there will be significant movement, and people you know may notice your teeth moving.

Does ice cream help with braces pain?

Ice Cream. Ice cream isn’t just delicious, but

the cold temperature can help with discomfort as well as relieving inflammation and swelling

that you might be experiencing after you get braces.

Can braces go wrong?

Examples include: Issues with the gums including gum

disease

or gum recession if the teeth are pushed out of the jawbone if there is not enough space for all your teeth. The way the teeth bite together can also be affected: The teeth bite up into the gum of the roof of your mouth causing soreness.

Why is braces pain so bad?

During orthodontic treatment, your teeth are actively being moved to new positions. Changing the locations of the teeth can affect blood flow. This may trigger an inflammatory response, leading to the release of substances that trigger your pain response. So your

teeth feel sore when they’re on the move

.

What does braces pain feel like?

There will be some discomfort.

The first several days of wearing braces will be the most uncomfortable for wearing adult braces or youth braces. Your teeth will feel

achy

as the alignment process begins and you may feel steady pressure from the wires, but that’s also the exciting part!

Do braces move your teeth everyday?

The short answer to the question of whether braces move your teeth everyday is

yes

. Nevertheless, due to the speed of teeth shifting, braces must be worn for significant and often, unfavorable lengths of time.

Are my braces working if they don’t hurt?

When the braces first go on,

a person might not experience any pain or discomfort straight away

. However, within a few hours, the gentle pressure that the braces put on the teeth will start to take effect.

Do braces hurt more than spacers?

Do spacers hurt more than braces? When the spacers are first inserted, you may experience a little discomfort and pain, but

they don’t hurt more than braces

. This is because only slight pressure is exerted and on a few teeth. If your teeth are more tightly packed together, spacers will hurt a little more.

Can you have popcorn with braces?


Popcorn hulls can get stuck under braces

, where they are very difficult to remove. They can get wedged between teeth and below the gums, causing them to become inflamed and swollen. If you feel you can’t live without popcorn, “hulless” popcorn is safer for people with braces.

Can you have mints with braces?

Although you should avoid gum and sticky sweets while you have braces, you can still enjoy

breath mints

as your mouth adjusts to your new oral hygiene habits.

Are braces worth it?


Braces are worth the cost because

of the many health benefits it helps you to retain. It can be tough to maintain optimal oral health when teeth are not as straight or aligned as they could be. Having braces can help set your teeth and alignment straight.

Can I eat Oreos with braces?

Soft cookies (without nuts) are good, but

avoid hard cookies

like Oreos and Chips Ahoy unless you’re a milk dunker. Ice cream is fine, but skip the nuts and hard candy toppings.

Can I use a straw with braces?

Eating and caring for your braces

Avoid sweet and/or sticky food, sweets, and drinks full of acid like fizzy drinks and fruit juices. If you cannot avoid them,

have them with your main meals and drink them through a straw

.

Can you eat pizza with braces?


You can still eat pizza when you have braces

, but it all comes down to the type of pizza. The best way to go is soft-crust pizza. Tougher crusts or thin crusts can damage your braces and get stuck between the wires, brackets and your teeth. … You could even have fun making your own pizza to suit your orthodontics.

What happens the first week of braces?

During your first week with braces,

you may experience some irritation on the inside of your lips and cheeks

. Your mouth will toughen up and after a while, your brackets and wires won’t bother you anymore. During the acclimation period, you can relieve the irritation with a salt water rinse.

Can I drink cold water with braces?

Cold drinks.


Ice

-cold water, slushies, and smoothies will temporarily numb your mouth and take away most of the pain. Just be careful not to have too many sugary drinks, since they damage your teeth. Ice water is a great option because it’s also healthy!

Do braces make lips bigger?

Do Braces Change Your Lips and Make Them Look Bigger?

Yes

, braces can change the position of your lips, but only as much as the teeth immediately behind them change. … It’s not that your lips are larger, but rather they cannot sit as far back against your teeth until the braces finally come off.

Do braces change the way you talk?

However, while primarily a corrective action,

braces sometimes impede speech fluency

. Slightly slurred speech and other difficulties are to be expected as a normal response to the initial adjustment period. Although it may sound very disheartening, know that it is not a hopeless situation.

Do braces give you a lisp?

Generally speaking, as the braces are on the back of the teeth, it can impact your ability to say the letter “s”. This

can result in a temporary lisp

. It’s important to understand that this isn’t permanent! So don’t panic, you will soon learn to adjust to your new braces.

How do schools deal with braces?

  1. Keep a braces care kit close by. …
  2. Carry a water bottle for quick hydration. …
  3. Keep snacks and lunches braces-friendly. …
  4. Mirror, mirror on the (locker) wall. …
  5. Have a mouthguard on hand. …
  6. Start the school year off right with Saddle Creek Ortho.

What do braces cost?

Type of braces Before insurance After insurance
Metal braces


$3,000 to $7,500


$1,500 to $3,750

Ceramic braces


$2,000 to $8,500


$1,000 to $4,750
Invisalign braces $3,000 to $7,000 $1,500 to $3,500 Lingual braces $5,000 to $13,000 $3,500 to $9,250

Do braces make you more attractive?


Braces make you more attractive


Braces improve your overall appearance

. By beautifully aligning your teeth, braces create an esthetically pleasing result that significantly boosts your attractiveness and self-confidence. When you have a smile that you’re proud of, you naturally smile more.

Leah Jackson
Author
Leah Jackson
Leah is a relationship coach with over 10 years of experience working with couples and individuals to improve their relationships. She holds a degree in psychology and has trained with leading relationship experts such as John Gottman and Esther Perel. Leah is passionate about helping people build strong, healthy relationships and providing practical advice to overcome common relationship challenges.