Q&A for How to Take Away the Pain of New or Tightened Braces

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  • Question
    What helps with braces pain at home?
    Jeremy Silverman is a Dentist and Founder of Peace of Mind Dental Studio in Chandler, Arizona. With a decade of professional dental experience, he focuses his practice on incorporating mental well-being into the core of oral care. He also partakes in continuing education and stays up to date with the newest techniques, technology, and products. Dr. Silverman holds a BA in Psychobiology from the University of California at Los Angeles and a DMD from Midwestern University. He is a member of the American Dental Association, Arizona Dental Association, and Central Arizona Dental Society. Dr. Silverman is also Laser Certified by the World Clinical Laser Institute.
    Dentist
    Expert Answer
    If ice packs and pain-relief medication don't work, topical oral anesthetics, such as Anbesol or Orajel, can provide some relief when rubbed on the more painful areas.
  • Question
    Why do they hurt so bad after you get them tightened?
    Cristian Macau, DDS
    Doctor of Dental Surgery
    Dr. Macau is a Doctor of Dental Surgery based in London, England. Dr. Macau is an oral surgeon, periodontist, and aesthetician at Favero Dental Clinic where he is known for his cosmetic dentistry and facial aesthetics work. He is actively involved in scientific research in the field of dentistry and he received his DDS from Carol Davila University of Medicine in 2015.
    Doctor of Dental Surgery
    Expert Answer
    The main metal wire applied to your brackets delivers an intense force which spreads to every single tooth connected in the chain. The pressure caused by the force is distributed to the entire vascular and nervous system of your teeth creating a response which is transformed into a pain sensation in a particular area of your brain.
  • Question
    I feel like my teeth at more sensitive than usual. I tried ice cream and my teeth were freezing. Do you know why?
    Cristian Macau, DDS
    Doctor of Dental Surgery
    Dr. Macau is a Doctor of Dental Surgery based in London, England. Dr. Macau is an oral surgeon, periodontist, and aesthetician at Favero Dental Clinic where he is known for his cosmetic dentistry and facial aesthetics work. He is actively involved in scientific research in the field of dentistry and he received his DDS from Carol Davila University of Medicine in 2015.
    Doctor of Dental Surgery
    Expert Answer
    When teeth move through the bone and rearrange in order to reach the correct position, inflammation of the tissue surrounding them produces an increased sensitivity. The entire system represented by ligaments, nerves and vessels is inflamed and obviously more sensitive than before so reacts faster to external stimuli such as cold.
  • Question
    I just got my braces today. It really hurts. Should I brush my teeth?
    Cristian Macau, DDS
    Doctor of Dental Surgery
    Dr. Macau is a Doctor of Dental Surgery based in London, England. Dr. Macau is an oral surgeon, periodontist, and aesthetician at Favero Dental Clinic where he is known for his cosmetic dentistry and facial aesthetics work. He is actively involved in scientific research in the field of dentistry and he received his DDS from Carol Davila University of Medicine in 2015.
    Doctor of Dental Surgery
    Expert Answer
    You should brush your teeth, especially after you eating a meal or a snack. Try taking an ibuprofen with an hour before brushing your teeth so the pain calms down and you are able to brush properly. Use all the adjuvants when brushing such as floss, oral irrigator and interdental brushes and check in the mirror for any missing spots you might want to clean again. Brushing your teeth when you have braces is really important and you need to consider it a priority even from the first day.
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