Pain After Braces
It is very common to feel pain after braces because it does take getting used to. The important thing is to know the difference between tightness and discomfort. Discomfort is a tolerable feeling that will dissolve within a couple of days. The feeling of tightness is a more moderate or medium type of feeling. The feeling of braces being tight may last a day or two along with the discomfort, but if you feel that the braces are too tight after about 2 or 3 days, you may need to get the braces adjusted by an orthodontist. What else should you know about braces? Read on for more information. It pays to know what you are in for so that you can have a comfortable experience with little to no surprises.
How Long Will It Take to Bond Braces?
The process of installing traditional, metal braces takes an hour or two. The installation times vary depending on what type of braces you are getting. Getting braces put on does NOT hurt at all. The process is organized and is completed step by step. The first step in the process of getting braces is getting your teeth cleaned and dried. Your orthodontist will apply glue, specifically for teeth, that is designed to hold the brackets on and keep them in place. After the brackets are in place, the orthodontist adds archwires to the brackets and secures the braces with elastic bands.
The Aftermath of Getting Braces Put On:
The procedure of getting braces put on is completely painless. It is common for you to feel sore afterward. The teeth and gums may be sore after getting braces applied. The soreness can last up to a week but rarely do most dealing deal with it. If you find that the sore feeling gets too irritating, there are a couple of things that you can do to try to ease the pain. One thing that you can do is to eat soft foods during the first few days. An example, of soft foods, include mashed potatoes, applesauce, pasta, and scrambled eggs. Also, don’t drink juices that are high in acid such as orange or tomato juice.
You can try pain relievers such as Ibuprofen or aspirin if your orthodontist does not give you anything for the discomfort. Over-the-counter medications can help to ease the soreness and discomfort as long as you are sure to take the correct dosage. If your orthodontist does give you something to help with the discomfort, he or she will probably give you some orthodontic wax that you can use on your brackets so that the feeling of discomfort is eased due to friction from the brackets and the inside of your mouth. Speaking of the inside of your mouth, if you are having a hard time coping with braces and have developed a mouth sore do not touch it with your finger or your tongue. Instead, rinse your mouth with a cup of saltwater. To make this mixture. Mix ½ teaspoon of salt with a cup of water and use it to swish with. If you have a tube of Orajel handy, you can use it as well. The Orajel will work wonders for your teeth but mostly swollen gums.
Give yourself a month to get used to the new braces. It even helps to notice how you feel about them over time. After six months of having braces in you will notice that you don’t feel a thing anymore. In fact, at the six-month mark, you don’t notice that you have braces. What was once an uncomfortable, annoying sensation has turned into something that turned out to be not-so-bad after all. Once you get used to your braces, do not forget to take care of your teeth with braces. There are a few things that you may want to keep in mind such as how to brush your teeth with braces, ways to rinse your mouth with braces before you brush, and how to take care of your braces. Some people think that once they get braces, they have to give up foods they enjoy. That is not the case. You can still enjoy the food and drinks you enjoy, but you may have to change the way you indulge. For instance, you can still eat foods that are high in sugar. It’s not recommended, but you can eat foods like this in moderation. What is so different about the way you indulge? Well, you have to always keep in mind that rinsing your mouth can rid you of any sugar that is left on your teeth. Brushing your teeth after sugar indulging should be on your list of things to do as a priority. Tooth decay can happen when you or anyone has braces in just as it can happen when you don’t have braces in. There’s a 50/50 chance. As long as you take care of your teeth, you’ll be fine.
So, if you are researching because you or your child has to have braces do not be alarmed. The orthodontists at Omega Dental Specialist are here to make your braces installation pain-free and stress-free. Contact our office to schedule a free consultation.