{"id":227,"date":"2014-03-26T12:44:00","date_gmt":"2014-03-26T16:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bordentownbracesblog.com\/feeling-a-little-sore-after-tightening-these-tips-can-help\/"},"modified":"2023-10-25T04:07:39","modified_gmt":"2023-10-25T08:07:39","slug":"feeling-a-little-sore-after-tightening-these-tips-can-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bordentownbraces.com\/braces\/feeling-a-little-sore-after-tightening-these-tips-can-help\/","title":{"rendered":"Feeling A Little Sore After Tightening? These Tips Can Help"},"content":{"rendered":"

A COMMON QUESTION\u00a0<\/strong>we hear\u00a0from patients is \u201cwill it hurt?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

First of all, modern braces are much<\/em><\/strong> more comfortable than they were 20 years ago\u2014so don\u2019t listen to silly stories from your uncle Fred. However, your mouth is a very sensitive place, so some patients experience a little bit of discomfort in the beginning or after their braces are tightened<\/a>.<\/p>\n

So What\u2019s Normal? <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Everyone feels different. You may experience a mild achey pressure. Some people feel like their teeth are loose, and others can be irritated by the hard brackets<\/a> rubbing against their cheeks and lips.<\/p>\n

All of this gets much better VERY quickly.<\/strong> The first few days after placing braces may be the hardest. It may take a week or two for things to feel normal<\/strong>, and it can take up to a month for you to get to the point where you don\u2019t even notice your braces.<\/p>\n

After each tightening appointment<\/strong>, you may experience a day or two of discomfort, but it will go away quicker the longer you\u2019re in braces.<\/p>\n

What Can You Do To Minimize Discomfort?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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  1. Plan meals with soft food<\/strong> for when you start treatment, and each day that you go in for a tightening.<\/li>\n
  2. Don\u2019t be stingy with the wax.<\/strong> Use it to cover a bracket or hook that\u2019s rubbing against sensitive skin.<\/li>\n
  3. For pain and headaches<\/strong>, we may recommend taking a mild painkiller like Tylenol.<\/li>\n
  4. DON\u2019T pick at your braces<\/strong>. This can greatly increase your treatment time.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Hang In There! It\u2019s Worth It!<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    If you\u2019ve just started<\/strong> with braces and you\u2019re feeling uncomfortable, hang in there\u2014 it will get much better! And if you\u2019re a seasoned alumni<\/strong> of braces, let us know your take on braces discomfort below. Do you have any tips to add?<\/p>\n