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When getting your braces adjusted at regular intervals by your orthodontist, most patients will feel sore for anywhere from a few hours to a few days after.
When getting your braces adjusted at regular intervals by your orthodontist, most patients will feel sore for anywhere from a few hours to a few days after.
In this article we’ll cover why your braces need to be adjusted, how often you should get them tightened, what happens when you get them adjusted and what you should do to ease the discomfort you may feel afterwards.
The primary reason that your braces need to be tightened using professional orthodontic adjustments is to ensure that your braces are successfully moving your teeth.
Braces apply pressure to your teeth which allows the teeth to move towards the desired position. As your teeth move, the braces become loose-fitting and need to be tightened and readjusted by an orthodontist to make sure that there is constant pressure applied to your teeth constantly.
Your orthodontist will use rubber bands and fresh elastics to adjust your braces and wires by gently applying pressure to ensure your teeth are moving in the right direction.
Your orthodontist will schedule check-up appointments every 4-8 weeks for adjustments.
On average, an orthodontic adjustment appointment takes about 20-30 minutes.
When getting a braces adjustment, you can expect:
Yes, after getting your braces adjusted and tightened you can expect a bit of soreness and pain for a couple of days. Don’t worry, this is normal as adjusting and tightening your braces means increased pressure as your teeth move into their new position. Every adjustment is a step in the right direction towards straight teeth.
This is completely unique to the individual but normally patients experience slight discomfort for 1-3 days after the appointment. After the first six months of having your braces fitted, soreness and discomfort tend to reduce after each appointment.
You may feel some pain when the braces are changed and adjusted - this includes tightening braces, bending or as needed, replacing the wires - but there are ways to get pain relief:
Using either a cotton swab or your finger, rub an oral anaesthetic such as Anbesol or Orajel directly on your sensitive teeth and gums. Oral anaesthetics desensitise your gums and teeth which helps to alleviate discomfort or pain that you may be feeling while your teeth shift acutely.
When taking over-the-counter medicine, make sure you read the instructions and follow the dosage instructions carefully.
Applying an ice pack to your cheeks can provide relief by numbing the area and reducing any inflammation caused by the pressure from adjusting your braces. Wrap the ice pack in a soft cloth and hold it against the outside of your mouth for short intervals, around 10-15 minutes at a time, to soothe sore spots.
Sipping on cold water throughout the day can be a simple yet effective way to reduce discomfort from braces tightening. The cold temperature helps to numb the mouth temporarily, soothing sensitive teeth and gums. Drinking cold water also keeps your mouth hydrated, which can alleviate dryness that sometimes occurs when you have braces.
In the first few days after tightening your braces, your teeth will feel more sensitive, so sticking to soft foods can make eating more comfortable. Foods like yoghurt, smoothies, soups, mashed potatoes, and scrambled eggs are gentle on sore teeth and reduce the risk of additional pain. Avoid hard or crunchy foods, as these can increase discomfort and place extra pressure on sensitive teeth (more on this below).
Your orthodontist will most likely send you home with a nontoxic orthodontic wax. This wax is great for pain relief as it safeguards the inside of your gums, cheeks and lips from the brackets of the braces by creating a barrier that keeps the sharp ends of the brackets from further irritating your mouth. Make sure you follow the instructions given by your orthodontist when using the orthodontic wax.
If your gums are swollen, try gently circularly rubbing your gums with one of your fingers. You can do this with just a finger or with a block of ice until your swollen gums are relaxed.
If you have any cuts or sores in your mouth and on your gums from the braces after you’ve gotten them tightened, gurgling warm salt water can help heal the cuts and sores and alleviate any pain that you may be feeling.
Don’t lose sight of your goal: a beautiful, jaw-dropping, healthy smile. The discomfort and pain that you’re experiencing will only last a few days, but your new smile will be with you all the time. Make sure you take proper care of your teeth after your braces get tightened.
To prevent discomfort further, depending on your tooth sensitivity, you should be mindful of what you eat after your braces' adjustment. The foods you eat should be easy to chew and swallow. These include:
There are a few foods that you need to stay away from after you’ve got your braces tightened as these can cause more pain and discomfort. These are:
If you’re considering braces or need a braces adjustment, get in contact with us for a free orthodontic consultation online.
At Hampstead Orthodontic Practice, our team of orthodontic experts can help determine the best orthodontic treatment option for you. We guarantee every patient finishes treatment with the most beautiful smile possible.
