Why Do Braces Hurt?
Why do braces hurt and what can you do to prevent the pain or stop it once it starts? Our Torrance dentist is here to give you some tips and facts:
When you first get braces, it is very likely that your jaw and teeth will hurt. The inside of your lip is also likely to be raw as it is constantly grating against metal. Although this can be very uncomfortable, remember that the first few weeks are always the worst and your mouth will eventually adjust to the braces. Eventually, you will probably forget that you are even wearing braces.
Why Do Braces Hurt?
Braces hurt because wires and brackets are moving your teeth around. Whether pushing, pulling, or turning them, moving teeth is painful. Brackets themselves are also painful. They scratch the soft inner skin of the mouth until calluses form, which can take weeks. People with braces are also likely to experience pain after an adjustment, though the level of discomfort is usually considerably less than what you would expect to experience when you first put them on.
Pain Prevention
Dental wax is a good way to prevent pain. This wax can be used on the surface of your brackets to prevent them from irritating your mouth. Dental wax is also useful if your wire shifts and you have to wait to see your orthodontist. Use dental wax to blunt the pointy wire and prevent it from scratching your mouth.
Another good method for pain prevention is being selective in what you eat. Hard and crunchy foods are more painful to eat in the first few weeks. Stick to small bites of soft food like oatmeal or yogurt.
Ways To Beat The Pain
There are a number of ways to stop pain once it has started. A warm saltwater rinse helps mitigate inflamed tissue and treat sores you may have. Also, cold foods are a great way to mitigate pain. Ice cream, ice water or even ice packs on the side of your mouth help with pain and swelling.
About Select Dental Office
Select Dental Office is a top Torrance dentist location ready to provide you with the best services in the area. To learn more about our Select Dental Office services, follow our social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. You can schedule an appointment HERE.