Is orthodontics painful?

Is orthodontic treatment painful? This is one of the most frequently asked questions by individuals considering orthodontic treatment. Parents’ worries and altruism regarding bracket pain is a common second question. In this article, we aim to address these concerns entirely.

Experiencing mild pain and discomfort during orthodontic treatment is common. Pain is a psychological response to stimuli encountered during orthodontic procedures, which significantly contributes to patients discontinuing treatment. Various orthodontic methods, including the use of brackets and wires on the teeth, as well as fixed and removable appliances, result in mild pain for the patient.

What is the cause of orthodontic pain?

Most people undergoing orthodontic treatment use fixed brackets to straighten their teeth, typically constructed of steel, ceramic, or porcelain. Due to how brackets align the teeth with gentle pressure, patients may experience sensitivity or red and swollen gum. The amount of discomfort a person experiences depends on the treatment method and their physiological mind.

The use of brackets should not result in significant pain during orthodontic treatment, but some discomfort may occur at the beginning. If you feel an unusual pain or something out of the ordinary, contact your orthodontist as soon as possible. At the starting stages, your child’s braces may cause sore spots on the gums or lips. However, the pain should resolve and be addressed quickly, and the patient’s gums and lips undergoing treatment should recover. Orthodontic pain can sometimes be abnormal, but often it is entirely normal. By examining the causes of pain from orthodontic brackets, you are better able to determine when to visit your orthodontist. These causes include:

• Pain while chewing food: Neglecting dietary restrictions is main reasons for tooth pain after orthodontic treatment. It is expected to struggle with chewing hard foods with newly fitted orthodontic brackets. Consequently, soft foods are recommended during orthodontic treatment.
• Loose or broken brackets: Another reason for tooth pain resulting from orthodontic treatment is loose or broken orthodontic braces. In such cases, it is advisable to see an orthodontist at the earliest convenience.
• Beginning of teeth movement: When a new orthodontic treatment process begins and the brackets are installed on the patient’s teeth, the teeth gradually undergo pressure after a few days. Experiencing the pressure and the pain at this time is a normal part of the treatment process. As the teeth are being directed into their proper position, they become aligned and straight. Orthodontics typically prescribe pain relievers during this period to reduce orthodontic pain.
• Aligning the brackets: Sometimes, the orthodontist’s diagnosis and prescription involve further tightening of the braces or adjusting their curvature. Under these conditions, it is entirely normal to experience pain in the gums and teeth.

What Factors Determine the Severity of Orthodontic Pain?

Orthodontic specialists believe that the severity of orthodontic pain is influenced by a variety of factors, including age, gender, individual pain threshold, amount of force applied, mental state, stress levels, and prior pain experiences. The forces applied to the teeth cause an inflammatory response that includes pain in the mouth due to the movement of the teeth. This response causes changes in blood flow after the orthodontic force is applied.

Researchers have additionally considered the relationship between patients’ mental health and their perception of orthodontic pain. An individual’s “physiological and psychological sensitivity” can significantly influence the severity of tissue discomfort caused by orthodontic appliances. Consequently, it does not appear that the pain experienced by patients is solely related to the amount of orthodontic force applied but also to the individual’s mental health.

What should be done in case of orthodontic pain?

Suppose you experience orthodontic pain for more than a few days. In that case, it is necessary to schedule an appointment with your orthodontist to determine the cause of the pain through methods such as X-ray imaging. In most cases, this pain is not considered an orthodontic emergency, and your orthodontist can vastly reduce the pain and pressure on your teeth by making new adjustments to the orthodontic appliance. However, regular visits to the specialist to check and adjust the orthodontic wires and brackets help prevent sudden pain in the early weeks of treatment. If there are sore spots on the gums or lips, the dentist will recommend that the patient use painkillers in the early days after orthodontic treatment, which can be very effective in addressing this problem.

In addition to the dental treatment provided by the specialist, the patient should follow a suitable diet during orthodontic treatment, especially when experiencing pain in the teeth area. It is essential to avoid hard foods and foods that require prolonged chewing.
💡For information on pain reduction strategies, you can read the article titled “Strategies for Reducing Orthodontic Pain.”

Orthodontics Pain FAQ?