Does getting your braces tightened hurt more than getting them on? (2023)

How long do braces hurt after tightening?

Following a braces tightening, it is usual to experience pain or discomfort. The good news is that the discomfort usually goes away on its own within a day or two for most individuals.

Does Getting Your Braces Tightened Hurt? 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.

Braces adjustments or tightening are a necessary, yet sometimes painful occurrence when you wear braces. Braces tightening accomplishes the important goal of straightening your teeth. However, this places added pressure on your teeth and gums, which can cause some discomfort.

Most of the time, the most painful orthodontic sensations that people are afraid of is getting their braces put on and having them taken off. As far as getting them put on, braces do not cause pain. However, the tension between your teeth or under orthodontic bands can cause some soreness later in the day.

After your orthodontist tightens your braces, your teeth can feel sore for a few hours up to a few days. After this time, your teeth grow accustomed to the new arch-wire and the soreness eases. Sometimes you won't feel any pressure following an appointment while other appointments you may.

Everyone feels different. You may experience a mild aching pressure. Some people feel like their teeth are loose, and others can be irritated by the hard brackets rubbing against their cheeks and lips. Usually, people feel that their jaw is sore and tight like they have done a workout for their teeth.

Braces adjustment appointments generally take between fifteen and thirty minutes. The amount of time may vary slightly based on what the orthodontist has to do. If new arch wires need to be placed and the pressure on the teeth has to be increased substantially, the appointment may take a little longer.

Braces address bite issues by repositioning teeth and jaws to correct alignment. As your teeth move into the correct position, your jawline and lips will follow suit. In time, you should be able to close your mouth, and your face will have a more natural, esthetically pleasing appearance.

How painful are braces on the first day?

Day 1: Having the braces placed on your teeth is not painful. But as your teeth begin to move, they typically will become sore. The soreness you experience is not a sharp pain, but rather a dull ache that typically lasts not more than 2 or 3 days.

Braces improve your overall appearance. By beautifully aligning your teeth, braces create an esthetically pleasing result that significantly boosts your attractiveness and self-confidence.

Your first day with braces or even your first several days, your teeth will be sensitive as we said, so sticking with soft foods and cold drinks is your best bet. Things like mashed potatoes, smoothies, applesauce, soup, pudding, yogurt, ice cream and ice water are great options.

Frequency of Braces Tightening

The average frequency is 4-6 weeks. They might call you sooner or later, depending on your case. But sometimes, you might need braces tightening before your scheduled appointment. Contact your orthodontist at the earliest if you feel that your braces are losing grip early.

Some people will tell us they want to get their braces off for a great smile as soon as possible: “Tighten those braces good to move them faster.” But high pressures don't move your teeth faster – it actually moves your teeth more slowly and it definitely feels worse.

While every patient is different, you should generally have your braces adjusted or tightened every 4-10 weeks. Keep in mind, though – your orthodontist will personalise your braces treatment to your individual needs, so there's no exact adjustment time that will suit everyone.

Braces work best when the mouth is healthy. Clean and healthy gums are more likely to move faster allowing you to get your braces off earlier. Keep the area between the brace and teeth clean and free of plaque build up. Flossing between teeth and brushing your gums daily will keep your mouth healthy.

Headaches are a common side effect of orthodontics treatment. Those who experience headaches when wearing braces most often have them after tightening or adjusting the braces. When braces are tightened, pressure is placed on the teeth to gradually move them into their ideal positions.

Although you can eat and drink while wearing orthodontic wax, it's not recommended. The wax can get stuck in whatever food you're eating and will make it taste bad. Food can also get stuck to the wax which will result in bacteria buildup. Additionally, drinking water may dislodge the wax.

Is it OK to sleep with braces wax?

The answer is yes, you can leave the wax on overnight. In fact, it's a good idea to leave wax on while you sleep. This is because abrasion injuries often happen while you're asleep. And don't worry about accidentally swallowing wax during your sleep, since swallowed wax won't cause you any harm.

In addition, you should be mindful of your sleeping position. If you sleep on your side or on your stomach—and thereby with your face sideways on your pillow—your braces will rub against your cheek. Sleeping on your back is the better option.

Lips will not become thinner, but they may appear thinner as the braces are removed. According to the type of braces your orthodontist used, the changes may or may not be pronounced. So, don't worry about getting any direct effects on the size of your lips.

If you're wearing traditional braces with a bracket and wire system, you may notice that your lips appear to be larger. Your teeth and lips' increased width are to blame for this. Lips don't get bigger, but they can't rest as much against your teeth as they normally would until your braces are taken off.

However, while primarily a corrective action, braces sometimes impede speech fluency. Slightly slurred speech and other difficulties are to be expected as a normal response to the initial adjustment period. Although it may sound very disheartening, know that it is not a hopeless situation.