Why do braces hurt the first week?

The hardest part about getting braces is making it through the first week. Your body is getting used to the strange, new pieces of metal in your mouth, and you probably feel a little sore at first. Once you get through the first week, you're well on your way to a beautifully straight smile.
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Why do braces hurt so much the first week?

And why do they especially hurt when you first get them? The short answer: Braces hurt primarily because they are literally pushing and pulling your teeth. This creates pressure, and the pressure can make your teeth and gums more sensitive.
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How long are braces supposed to hurt when you first get them?

But you should only feel the discomfort immediately after your orthodontist places or adjusts your braces or wires. The discomfort typically disappears within four days, and braces pain rarely lasts longer than a week. When you first get braces, it's also common to feel some pain in your cheeks for about a week.
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Are braces supposed to hurt the first week?

You should feel little to no pain when your braces are initially placed onto your teeth. However, after the first few hours, you may experience some discomfort. You will have to get used to wearing braces and learn how to chew with them.
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How do you survive the first week of braces?

In order to help you feel more comfortable with your braces, here's a list of five tips for surviving the first week:
  1. Be prepared leaving the orthodontics office. ...
  2. Be careful what you eat with braces. ...
  3. Use wax to fight sores in your mouth. ...
  4. Rinse your mouth with saltwater. ...
  5. Always practice good oral hygiene.
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How To Deal With Braces Discomfort - Causes, First Day Pain, Braces Pain and How to Manage



How do you sleep with braces on?

How to Sleep with Braces
  1. Tip #1: Keep your teeth and gums clean. ...
  2. Tip #2: Try sleeping on your back. ...
  3. Tip #3: Use dental wax if needed. ...
  4. Tip #4: Use Tylenol if you have to! ...
  5. Tip #5: Wear a nightguard or mouthguard if you grind your teeth.
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Do braces move your teeth everyday?

Braces are applying constant pressure, but your teeth will not move everyday. You may notice your teeth are sore for a few days after an adjustment, while your teeth get used to the new pressure.
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What color of braces is best?

Choose light blue, bronze, dark purple or subdued reds and pinks to complement lighter skin tones. Choose darker colors to make your teeth appear whiter. Watch out for lighter colors that could make your teeth look more yellow. Consider colors that complement or match your eyes.
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Does braces tightening hurt?

As mentioned previously, adjusting and getting your braces tightened can cause soreness and pain for a few days. The discomfort is not as bad and takes a few days to get used to your teeth' increased pressure. Each adjustment is a step toward straight teeth, but sometimes the movement of teeth can be painful.
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Does the third day of braces hurt?

Soreness may set in on the second and third day when the braces are beginning to modify to correct your bite. Most likely, by the third day your braces will now be a part of you. They just take a little bit of getting used to.
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What can I eat with braces first week?

Here's a list for first week of braces foods that we recommend our patients stock up on.
  • Eggs.
  • Oatmeal.
  • Smoothies.
  • Cold drinks.
  • Yogurt.
  • Noodles and pasta.
  • Soup.
  • Mashed potatoes.
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Can I eat pizza with braces?

Can you eat pizza with braces? Yes! You certainly can, as long as you avoid crusts and toppings that are too tough and hard, sticky, or stringy, and eat in small, careful bites. Of course, it's also essential to clean your teeth and the metal wires after eating for optimum dental health.
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How long is your mouth sore after braces?

Most patients experience some discomfort the first 4 days to a week after their braces, expanders, and/or wires are placed and after a wire adjustment and/or an activation appointment. Your lips and cheeks may need one to two weeks to get used to the braces on your teeth.
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What does the first wire of braces do?

The initial wires used during your brace treatment are thin and gentle in order to achieve initial alignment and correct crowding and rotations (teeth which are crooked or twisted). It's often during this phase of treatment where you will see the biggest changes in your smile.
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How can I make braces hurt less?

10 Tips for Braces Pain Relief
  1. Oral anesthetics. A simple way to get some braces pain relief is to rub an oral anesthetic like Orajel or Anbesol directly on the sensitive teeth and gums. ...
  2. Over-the-counter pain medicine. ...
  3. An ice pack. ...
  4. Cold ice water. ...
  5. Soft foods. ...
  6. Orthodontic wax. ...
  7. A warm rinse. ...
  8. A gum massage.
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What are the worst colors for braces?

All braces wearers should avoid extremely dark colors like black and brown, as these can make your teeth appear stained or discolored. The same goes for white and yellow, as well as clear rubber bands, which tend to pick up color from dark beverages like coffee, tea, and red wine.
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Is it possible to kiss with braces?

It's completely fine if you're not ready for something as adventurous as kissing right away! When you feel ready, take it slow. Being gentle while kissing with braces is incredibly important for the safety of you and your partner. It's a good idea to start with closed lips.
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Why do elastics hurt so much?

It's normal to feel some discomfort when using rubber bands with your braces. This is because these bands place additional pressure on your teeth and jaws to ensure they move into the correct position. This pain should not last long.
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Do bottom teeth move faster than top with braces?

In addition, it is normal to start treatment by having the braces installed on the top teeth first. The top teeth and jawbone take longer to align and move compared to the bottom teeth.
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What is the longest time to have braces?

The average orthodontic treatment falls somewhere between 16-18 months, but can sometimes take as long as 24 months, or even more. Be wary of promises from anyone who says you can have a straight smile in only six months.
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Can you feel teeth shifting?

You may feel teeth shifting pain as well as ongoing discomfort and effects of teeth shifting can even impact on the appearance of your mouth. In a worst-case scenario, shifting teeth could lead to tooth loss.
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Why do braces hurt more at night?

Generally, this is simply because your gums and cheeks aren't yet used to the dental apparatus being in your mouth. A certain amount of pain and discomfort is completely normal during this period. However, there are things you can do to alleviate the soreness and catch more Z's.
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Do teeth move more at night braces?

Numerous people think that adult teeth won't change or move over their lifetime because they're permanent. This is false: adult teeth do and can shift over time, whether or not you had braces as a teenager or child. So yes, teeth move overnight, though the change might be imperceptible at first.
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Is it okay to put wax on braces while sleeping?

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.
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Do braces give you a lisp?

Generally speaking, as the braces are on the back of the teeth, it can impact your ability to say the letter “s”. This can result in a temporary lisp.
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