Do Braces Hurt?

One of the most commonly asked questions about dental braces is whether placing them causes any pain or discomfort. The honest answer is that braces do not hurt at all when they are applied to the teeth, so there is no reason to be anxious. In most cases, there is mild soreness or discomfort after the orthodontic wire is engaged into the brackets, which may last for a few days.

There are two common types of fixed dental braces used to realign the teeth: ceramic fixed braces and metal fixed braces. Both types of fixed appliances include brackets which are affixed to each individual tooth and an archwire the orthodontist fits into the bracket slot to gently move the teeth into proper alignment. Elastic or wire ties will be applied to hold the wire in place. Some orthodontists may use self-ligating brackets which do not require a rubber or wire tie to secure the wire.

Fixed dental braces are used to treat a wide variety of malocclusions, including overbite, underbite, crossbite, and overcrowding. If the orthodontist has determined that the malocclusion has been caused by overcrowding, it is possible that teeth may need to be extracted to increase the amount of available space to properly align the teeth.

What to expect when getting braces

Here is an overview of what you can expect when getting braces:

Placement day – The placement of braces will not be painful in the slightest. It may take longer to eat meals, but this is largely because it takes some time to adjust to wearing the braces. In some cases, the teeth may feel more sensitive than usual. Hard, difficult to chew foods should be avoided in favor of a softer, more liquid-based diet for the first few days after placement of braces.
Two days after placement – The first several days after placement of braces can be slightly uncomfortable. This is because the teeth are beginning the realignment process and are not used to the pressure of the archwire and orthodontic elastic bands. The orthodontist will provide relief wax to apply over the braces as necessary. Wax helps provide a smooth surface and alleviates irritation on the inner cheeks and lips. Additionally, over-the-counter pain medication (e.g., Motrin^® and Advil^®) may be taken as directed to relieve mild soreness.
Five days after placement – After five days, any initial discomfort associated with the braces should be completely gone. The teeth will have gradually acclimated to the braces, and eating should be much easier. Certain hard foods may still pose a challenge to the wearer, but normal eating may be resumed at this point.
Orthodontic appointments – Regular orthodontic appointments are necessary to allow the orthodontist to change the archwire, change the rubber or metal ties, and make adjustments to the braces. Fixed braces work by gradually moving the teeth into a new and proper alignment, so gentle pressure needs to be applied constantly. The first several days after an orthodontic adjustment may be slightly uncomfortable, but remember that this discomfort will quickly fade.
Dealing with discomfort – Over-the-counter pain medication and orthodontic relief wax will help alleviate any mild soreness and discomfort following placement of braces and orthodontic adjustments. Another effective remedy is to chew sugar-free gum, as this increases blood flow which helps reduces discomfort and can also encourage the teeth to align quicker.

If you have any questions or concerns about orthodontic treatment, please contact our office.

Testimonials

In one word 'outstanding'. I have had dental services from Cambridge, Mass to Dallas, Texas in my life but I have never ever come across such a truly outstanding practice. Dr. Christopher Yoo, and his father Dr. Yoo Senior, are both outstanding professionals. They have created, trained, and nurtured an outstanding staff from the reception desk all the way to the operatories. I will have to use my calculator to count the number of times Dr. Yoo uses gentle and comforting words like "sir", "please", "thank you", "appreciate it", etc. When I am in the operatory, I have the honor and pleasure of being in a very refined and multitalented company of Dr. Yoo, who takes the time to explain and teach all aspects of his treatment and empower the patient to follow up and take care of their dental hygiene. I want to specially mention appreciation by Dr. Yoo's peers. My friend Dr. Kevin G. Murphy, Baltimore, who is a well regarded periodontal-prosthodontic practitioner thinks very highly of Dr. Yoo and he personally recommended that my wife and me to be under Dr. Yoo's general dentistry practice and care. Please convey this review and my thanks to Dr. Yoo and his staff.

Subhash K.

This was my first visit to Dr. Yoo's clinic and I was very impressed with all aspects of the practice. When I called to make an appointment, I was scheduled for the very next day. The receptionist was gracious and very polite, both on the phone while making my appointment and when I arrived at the clinic. The person who referred me to Dr. Yoo had told me many things about the practice, so although I wasn't surprised, I was very impressed with the high-tech environment and the way it was used to make me both better informed and very comfortable during my initial examination and cleaning. Especially interesting was the digital imaging of my teeth and the camera tool that provided a real-time image of my individual teeth. All of these images were present on a screen that I could view while in the chair. Dr. Yoo was very personal, patient, and supportive, and took time to carefully explain his findings and recommendations. I highly recommend Dr. Yoo and his staff and look forward (really!) to my next visit.

Marilyn D.