Anyone who has had dental braces knows how much they hurt, especially at the beginning of treatment. The process of moving teeth is likely to produce some soreness that can onset mere hours after you get your braces placed. You may also feel pain after getting your braces adjusted.
If you are currently feeling pain from your braces, you’re probably wondering how long is this going to last, how much do you have to endure for the sake of a beautiful smile. Fortunately, most people feel their pain start to subside after a week or so. However, there are ways to manage your pain until then. Here are some of the best tips for reducing pain from braces.
How to get some pain relief
A good place to start when seeking pain relief from dental braces is with a simple pain reliever. Over-the-counter options such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen are one of the best solutions for reducing the discomfort of braces. For more serious cases, anesthetics like Orajel can be applied to the teeth and gums to reduce oral sensitivity.
If your pain persists longer than expected or is extremely severe, you may need to have your wires or brackets adjusted by an orthodontist. Metal braces can sit uncomfortably in the mouth and poke or irritate your teeth and gums. Your orthodontist may trim the wire or give you dental wax to cover the offending area. If none of these solutions work, you may want to talk to your orthodontist about a different style of treatment, such as clear aligners, for your dental treatment.
No pain, no gain
Some people experience minimal pain from traditional metal braces while others find the process more challenging. If you’re in the second category but still want the benefits of effective dental braces, you may want to consider Invisalign.
Invisalign orthodontic treatment functions through a series of removable aligners, which allow for increased comfort and convenience during treatment. No metal pieces to poke and pinch, just smooth, easy to care for aligner trays. If that sounds appealing to you, it may be time to reach out to a dental professional specializing in Invisalign. Dr. Mario Paz is an experienced Invisalign orthodontist in Marina Del Rey who can help you determine whether Invisalign is right for you and get you started on your journey to straight teeth.