Do Houston Braces Hurt?

Braces have been around for decades and have helped millions of people achieve better smiles. Not only do they straighten crooked teeth, but they also improve oral health. Houston braces correct overcrowding, gaps, underbites, and overbites. They also promote better digestion and prevent dental caries. Both teens and adults can get Houston dental braces. But many wonder if this orthodontic treatment hurts. Centra Dental is committed to making your dental experience as stress-free and pleasant as possible.

During Your Visit

A week or two before getting braces, our Houston dentist may apply spacers between your molars. You might feel slight pressure and soreness in the first few days. The discomfort will eventually go away. During the actual application of Houston braces, our dentist will clean your teeth with a solution that tastes a bit sour. They will also apply glue to put the brackets in place. These steps do not cause pain. The dentist will then mount brackets onto your teeth and connect them with a wire. You will feel a gentle pressure a few hours after your visit.

2 to 3 Days After Your Visit

Dental braces work by slowly pulling teeth into alignment. As such, you will feel discomfort throughout the week after your visit. This is a sign that your treatment is working. Your gums and teeth will feel sore. You may have difficulty chewing solid food for the first few days. There will also be times when the brackets and wires scrape against the inside of your cheeks. This is normal as long as everything is in place. 

A Week After Your Visit

You will notice the discomfort gradually decreasing as the days pass. After a week, you may not feel any pain at all. Our Houston family dentist may advise you to come in for monthly visits. During your visits, they will tighten the wires and springs, and may put bands to keep the treatment going. Expect tolerable discomfort after your visits. This means that you are achieving progress and well on your way to your treatment goals. 

Tips on Managing Discomfort

Discomfort from dental braces is perfectly normal and manageable. For pain relief, you may take over-the-counter medication, such as ibuprofen. Only take this if you don’t have an allergy. You may also rinse with salt water to lessen the soreness of the gums. If you’re getting cuts from the metal, you can apply dental wax. Place them on the trouble spots to remove the friction. 

Schedule an Appointment for Houston Braces

Centra Dental offers a full range of quality dental services for the whole family. From teeth cleaning to Houston braces, our goal is to provide you with a comfortable visit. We prioritize your safety. As such, we operate in the most hygienic way and sanitize all of our equipment. You don’t have to worry when you visit Centra Dental. We will guide you through the entire process of your orthodontics treatment. Call us today for an appointment!