Getting braces is an incredibly common dental procedure. Not only do braces help straighten out your teeth, but they can also correct bite alignment issues, leading to a healthier overall smile. However, some people worry, “Do braces hurt?” Thankfully, we’re here to cover some of the most commonly asked braces questions to ease your mind.
Are Braces Painful?
Braces can cause some discomfort to patients. When your orthodontist tightens your braces, it’s normal to feel soreness. This also applies to when you get your braces first put on. This soreness happens because your teeth shift toward their permanent position. If you feel sore after a braces adjustment, your braces are doing their job!
However, some types of braces pain is not normal. For example, if you have a wire digging into your cheek or a bracket rubbing against your gum, these are both instances where your orthodontist can help. They can check if the bracket is where it should be, move the wire, or offer dental wax to keep the metal from bugging your mouth.
If you have redness, swelling, a bad taste in your mouth, pus, or other signs of infection with your braces, you should also talk to your dentist, as this requires immediate treatment for your overall dental health.
How Do Braces Work?
Traditional and invisible braces work by gradually applying pressure to your teeth. This pressure shifts your teeth in one direction or another, moving them to their future permanent position. Because moving your teeth suddenly can have serious consequences and doesn’t solve misalignment issues, your dentist uses braces to make these changes over time, leading to a straighter, healthier smile.
In traditional braces, your orthodontist moves your teeth using wires and brackets. Brackets are metal objects cemented to your teeth. They act as holders for the wires. Wires connect between your brackets and steadily put pressure on your teeth, moving them into place. Your dentist can combine braces with many orthodontia devices to correct your smile and bite alignment.
With braces, it’s important to visit your orthodontist often to adjust your wires. This shortens the time you have to wear your braces and allows your dentist to shift your teeth in the direction they want them to go.
Your dentist crafts several different retainer stages in indivisible braces or clear retainers. Each of these retainers slowly shifts your teeth closer to your end goal. By wearing these retainers as much as possible, you can gradually move your teeth without the hassle of traditional braces. However, clear retainers don’t work for everyone and don’t work with as many different kinds of orthodontia.
If you have questions about braces or would like to schedule an appointment, contact Cohen Family Smiles at (914) 245-2965. Our team is here to help ease your mind about braces and assure you that getting braces shouldn’t be painful. If you want to get the smile of your dreams, reach out to us today.
We look forward to hearing from you.