Do braces hurt?

Getting braces is a big change to everyone when they first get them, so it will take some time to get adjusted to having them on. The first appointment is no big deal because all we are doing is cementing brackets to the face of your teeth. What patients experience with braces as discomfort or soreness is from the pressures each time we tighten and the bone movements that are then caused below. This is actually a very good sign! It means your teeth are starting to slowly shift into a straighter smile which is what we want. The goal of braces is to align your teeth by adjusting your bite, turning your teeth and creating more/less space for your teeth depending on the situation. Most of the discomfort is usually experienced right after your monthly adjustment. Just like new shoes when you first get them, your feet experience discomfort. After wearing them for a few weeks, your feet get used to how they feel. Similarly, your mouth and lips are very much the same. After the first couple of visits, it gets easier but we do recommend some Ibuprofen, if needed, to help with your discomfort from the adjustments. You may also experience pain or discomfort from what you eat while wearing braces. Some foods to avoid when wearing braces would be anything hard, crunchy, sticky or chewy/gummy. The better you take care of your braces, the less likely you will experience any kind of pain or discomfort.