Does Wearing A Dental Brace Hurt?
Some of our patients put off having their smile perfected because they worry that having a brace might be painful – but there’s really no need to worry.
Before you go ahead with your smile treatment, you’ll have an extended consultation at Beach Smile with Our dentist in Redondo Beach. During that time, we’ll discuss what you want to achieve and we’ll suggest possible treatment options to achieve the look you want.
This is the time to raise any concerns that you might have about any of the treatment options. Often, it’s at this stage that we get asked: “will wearing a brace hurt?”.
We’re always pleased to advise our patients that today’s braces are not only hardly noticeable, they are also extremely comfortable. The brace can take a few days to get used to when it’s first adjusted at each check-up, and this can cause a couple of days of mild discomfort as you adjust to it, but this will soon pass. And the rest of the time? Well, you’re likely to forget you’ve even got a brace!
Having Your Brace Fitted
If you do decide to go ahead, we will take photos, X-rays, and models of your teeth to enable us to plan your treatment to the precise needs of your teeth, jaw and the shape of your face and mouth. Once we’ve done this, a few days later, you’ll be invited to have the brace fitted.
Understandably, most patients are most nervous about this stage, but there is no need to worry; it’s completely painless and very quick. This first fitting usually takes from half an hour to around an hour.
A couple of hours after your treatment, you may notice your teeth starting to feel a little uncomfortable as your mouth adjusts to the new feeling. You’ll be getting used to the feeling of wearing a brace, but it causes only minor discomfort; it certainly isn’t ‘painful’. Most patients who experience this will find a painkiller such as ibuprofen helps to take away any slight aches or niggles. And, within a few days, your mouth will have adjusted to the braces and you won’t even notice you’re wearing them.
Wearing Your Braces
Depending on the brace system you use, you might need to make some adjustments to your teeth cleaning routine. If you choose fixed braces, it might feel a little strange when you eat at first, but it certainly won’t be painful. You might want to choose softer foods for the first few days while you get used to them.
If you are using a system like our Invisalign braces, you can remove the braces when eating and cleaning your teeth, so you won’t need to change a thing – except add brace cleaning to your usual teeth-cleaning regimen.
You’ll have regular check-ups with us, so if you do have questions you can raise them with us then – or simply give us a call anytime you need to. During these check-ups, we will make some adjustments to your braces and this tightening may take a couple of days to get used to, much like when you had your braces fixed initially. Again, this shouldn’t be painful for you.
Removing Your Braces
We’re pleased to report that removing your braces is just as painless! A thirty-minute appointment is all it takes and your new perfect smile will be revealed.
You will need to wear a retainer at night to ensure your smile remains as perfect as the day we removed your braces. This, too, should not cause you any discomfort; you’ll simply need to ensure it is cleaned regularly. We also recommend using a hidden retainer during the day; this is simply a pain-free option that would ensure that your perfect smile stays perfect forever.
Of course, if you do have any concerns while you are wearing your braces, you can call and speak with one of our team, or make an appointment with Beach Smile Dental in Redondo Beach,CA for a check-up. We are always happy to field any questions or concerns you might have – but, in our experience, it’s rare to have concerns once your braces are fitted. You will soon get used to them and barely notice them being there.