If you’re about to start orthodontic treatment, it’s completely normal to have questions, especially about how braces are going to feel. Will it hurt to get them placed? How long will your teeth be sore? What happens after each adjustment appointment? The questions might seem endless! That said, the truth is, while there is a bit of an adjustment period, most patients are pleasantly surprised by how manageable the experience really is. Here’s a closer look at what to expect at different points throughout your treatment.
Your First Day with Braces
Thankfully, the actual process of getting your braces placed is not painful at all. You’ll be asked to keep your mouth open for a period of time while your orthodontist carefully bonds each bracket to your teeth and threads the archwire. Your teeth will be dried first, and the bonding material will be applied to one tooth at a time. Then the archwire is trimmed and secured with elastic bands.
You might feel some pressure during the process, and your mouth may feel a little tired from staying open, but there’s no drilling or injections involved! The appointment itself typically takes one to two hours.
Your First Week with Braces
In the first few days after getting your braces placed, it’s common to feel a dull, achy soreness in your teeth and gums. However, this is a sign that your teeth are already beginning to shift, which is actually a good thing!
Your lips, cheeks, and tongue may also feel some irritation as they get used to the new hardware in your mouth. Most patients find that the soreness peaks around day two or three and then starts to ease up. By the end of your first week, things are usually feeling much more comfortable. In any case, it also helps to stick to soft foods, take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed, and rinse with salt water to soothe irritated gum tissue. A small piece of orthodontic wax placed over any rough bracket or wire can also make a big difference.
Your First Few Months with Braces
Throughout your treatment, you’ll attend adjustment appointments every six to eight weeks. During these visits, your orthodontist will make changes to your archwire or elastic bands to keep your teeth progressing on track. These adjustments are quick, but they do make your mouth feel similarly sore to when you first got your braces, though much less intense. You can plan on dealing with some tenderness for a day or two after each adjustment.
Most people tend to fully adjust to their braces within the first month, and after that initial adjustment period, wearing braces becomes a simple part of their daily routine. And by around the six-month mark, the majority of patients report that they barely think about their braces at all!
Braces can feel a little strange at first, but with the right expectations and a few easy strategies, you’ll settle in faster than you think.
About Simply Orthodontics
Our experts here at Simply Orthodontics have been helping patients all around New England for several years. We proudly offer a wide range of orthodontic services for patients of all ages, including traditional metal braces, Invisalign clear aligners, emergency orthodontics, and more. If you have any questions about the blog or you’re ready to schedule an appointment for yourself or a loved one, you can reach out online or call today for more information.
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