Braces and pain: tips on how to relieve pain when wearing braces

Do you want to have a beautiful, straight and healthy smile? Then you can't avoid wearing braces. You know that wearing braces is often accompanied by unpleasant pain - or at least discomfort. Whether it's fixed or invisible removable braces, pain after putting on or tightening is a common part of treatment. Although this pain is usually temporary, it can negatively affect your daily life and your well-being. In this article, we provide you with some proven tips and tricks to help ease the pain, making the entire orthodontic treatment process easier.

Before we get to the actual practical tips, let's take a look at why braces hurt in the first place - and if there's any type of braces that don't hurt at all. 

The 6 most common reasons why braces hurt

1. Pressure on the teeth and gums: braces cause tooth pain primarily by applying constant pressure to the teeth, gradually moving them into the desired position. This pressure affects not only the teeth, but also the surrounding gums, bones and periodontium, which can cause a painful reaction.
2. Change in bone tissue: when teeth move, changes occur in the bone tissue of the jaw. This process is necessary for the teeth to change position, but it also causes pain, especially in the early stages of treatment.
3. Nerve sensitivity: as the teeth move, the nerve endings in the teeth and surrounding tissue are irritated. This can cause sharp or dull pain in the teeth. Nerve sensitivity may increase if your teeth move faster or if your braces have just been tightened (or splints changed).
4. Soft tissue irritation: fixed braces can cause irritation to the inside of the mouth, including the gums, cheeks and lips, due to the metal clasps and wires. This irritation can lead to painful abrasions, contributing to overall discomfort. With invisible braces, irritation can occur when putting on and taking off the splints, which can cause soreness.
5. Adapting to the new pressure: Tooth pain after braces are put on or tightened is often due to the teeth and surrounding tissues needing time to adjust to the new pressure. This process can take several days, during which time the pain may become more pronounced. However, once the teeth get used to the pressure, the pain usually subsides.
6. Tearing teeth before putting on braces: Tearing teeth for braces is not always necessary, only in cases where there is insufficient space in the jaw for all the teeth, which would prevent their proper alignment.

What factors can aggravate pain?

The pain of wearing braces can be affected by various factors that can aggravate or prolong it. Below are the main factors that can worsen pain:

1) Wire Tightening: one of the most common factors that can aggravate pain when wearing fixed braces is wire tightening. Every time you visit the orthodontist to have the wires tightened or adjusted, the pressure on your teeth increases. This increased pressure leads to more intense pain that can take several days for the teeth and jaw to adjust to the new pressure.

2) Fitting a new splint (for invisible braces): for invisible braces such as Invisalign, replacing the old splint with a new one can cause increased pain. Each new splint puts new pressure on the teeth to move them further into the correct position. This new pressure can cause sensitivity and pain, especially during the first few days after the new splint is placed.

How long does the pain usually last after the braces are put on or tightened?

Pain after the braces are put on or tightened usually lasts 3 to 5 days. It is most intense during this period, but then gradually subsides as the teeth and surrounding tissues become accustomed to the new pressure. In some patients, mild sensitivity may persist for up to a week, but most discomfort should disappear after a few days.

3) Change your diet: eating hard, crunchy or sticky foods can worsen the pain, as these foods require more force to bite and chew - and thus increase the pressure on your teeth and braces. In addition, hard foods can damage wires or brackets, which can cause additional pain. This point doesn't apply to invisible braces because you take them out of your mouth to eat.

4) Poor oral hygiene: poor oral hygiene can lead to gingivitis, plaque build-up or even tooth decay, which can worsen the pain of wearing braces. Inflammation of the gums causes them to swell, which can increase sensitivity to pressure from braces and thus increase pain.

Tip: Learn how to brush your teeth properly with braces.

5) Stress and anxiety: psychological factors such as stress and anxiety can also worsen the perception of pain. Stress can increase sensitivity to pain and lead to tension in the jaw, which can increase discomfort when wearing braces. In addition, anxiety associated with the anticipation of pain can lead patients to perceive pain more intensely.

6) Physical activity and sport: Certain types of physical activity or sports can increase the risk of impact or pressure on the teeth, which can cause or worsen pain. For example, contact sports can lead to accidental blows to the mouth that can damage braces or cause injury, which will increase pain.

7) Hypersensitivity to temperature changes:Teeth can be more sensitive to temperature changes, especially to very cold or hot foods and drinks, if they are in the process of moving. This type of sensitivity can cause short-term but intense pain that can be uncomfortable and impair overall comfort when wearing braces.

The increased pain associated with these factors is usually temporary and can often be alleviated by modifying diet, improving oral hygiene, using orthodontic wax or analgesics, and avoiding activities that may make the pain worse.

Tooth pain and braces: comparison between fixed and invisible braces

Although the underlying mechanisms that cause pain in both types of braces are similar, the degree of pain may be slightly different. 

Fixed braces can also be less comfortable because of the fixed brackets and wires, which can also irritate the oral mucosa. In sum, if you opt for fixed braces (braces on tight), pain will be a component. 

Invisible braces can also cause discomfort, especially when switching from one set of splints to another, but unlike fixed braces, there's nothing to irritate you in them. Another reason why invisible braces are the right choice.

In any case, it is important to be prepared for a certain amount of pain as part of the treatment process with braces.

How to relieve pain when wearing braces

There are several ways to relieve the pain of wearing braces:

1. Taking analgesics: commonly available painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can help reduce pain and inflammation after the braces are put on or tightened.
2. Using orthodontic wax: This special wax can be applied to the sharp parts of fixed braces that irritate the inside of the mouth, reducing pain and irritation to the soft tissues.
3. Cold compresses: applying a cold compress to the outside of the cheek can relieve swelling and pain by slowing blood flow in the affected area, thereby reducing inflammation.
4. Soft food: In the first few days after braces are tightened or fitted, it is advisable to eat soft foods that do not require heavy biting and chewing, which can relieve pressure on the teeth.
5. Mouthwash with antiseptic properties:Using an antiseptic mouthwash can help reduce gingivitis and prevent infections, which contributes to overall pain relief.
6. Limit irritating foods: avoid very hard, crunchy or sticky foods that could increase discomfort or damage braces.

By combining these methods, most of the pain and discomfort of wearing braces can be effectively managed.