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  • Getting braces is a big step toward achieving a straight, healthy smile, but discomfort is a common concern. If you're wondering why braces hurt and how to ease the pain, you're not alone. Understanding the discomfort caused by braces can help you prepare for the process and manage it effectively.

    In this blog, we'll break down why braces hurt, when you’re most likely to feel discomfort, and practical tips for relief.

    Why Braces Cause Pain

    Braces work by applying gentle, continuous pressure to your teeth, guiding them into the right alignment. This gradual movement is essential for straightening your teeth, but it can also lead to some soreness. Here's why:

    Pressure and Tooth Movement: Braces push your teeth, which in turn affects the tissues, ligaments, and even the bone around them. This shifting is what causes the soreness in your teeth and gums, especially after your braces are first applied or tightened.

    Sensitive Soft Tissues: The metal brackets and wires of braces may rub against the inside of your cheeks, lips, and gums. Until your mouth adapts, this can cause irritation.

    Ligament Inflammation: As braces move your teeth, they stretch the ligaments that hold your teeth in place. This stretching causes mild inflammation, leading to discomfort.

     

    When Braces Hurt the Most

    There are specific times when pain from braces is more noticeable:

    After Getting Braces: Your teeth, gums, and soft tissues need time to adjust. The first few days after getting braces are often the most uncomfortable.

    Following Adjustments: Each time your orthodontist tightens or adjusts the braces, you may feel pressure and soreness for a few days. These adjustments are necessary to keep your treatment progressing.

    Wires and Brackets Rubbing: Sometimes, parts of your braces may rub against your cheeks or lips, leading to irritation. This is especially common in the early days of treatment.

    See Braces vs. Invisalign

    How to Relieve Braces Pain

    While braces can hurt, the good news is the pain is usually temporary and manageable. Here are some effective ways to manage discomfort:

    Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: Medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce inflammation and soreness. Be sure to follow your orthodontist’s advice for dosage.

    Orthodontic Wax: Placing wax over the brackets and wires that rub against your cheeks or lips can protect sensitive tissues.

    Saltwater Rinses: A warm saltwater rinse can soothe sore gums and help heal small sores caused by braces.

    Stick to Soft Foods: After getting braces or an adjustment, soft foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, and smoothies are easier on your teeth. Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that can irritate your mouth or damage your braces.

    Cold Compress: Applying a cold compress to your cheeks can reduce swelling and numb the pain.

    Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Clean teeth and gums help prevent further inflammation that could make braces more uncomfortable.

     

    Normal vs. Problematic Pain

    Some discomfort is normal, but severe or persistent pain may indicate a problem. If you notice extreme pain, broken wires, loose brackets, or non-healing sores, contact your orthodontist right away. Unusual pain could signal that something isn't right, and your orthodontist can fix the issue quickly.

    Conclusion

    Braces are a powerful tool to help you achieve the smile you've always wanted. Whether you're considering braces in Tucson or elsewhere, some discomfort is part of the process, but it’s manageable with the right techniques. Understanding why braces hurt and how to relieve pain can make your orthodontic journey smoother. Remember, the temporary discomfort is worth the long-term results of a beautiful, straight smile. If you ever have concerns, our orthodontists always available to help with braces in Tucson, Rita Ranch, and Oro Valley.

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  • At Leber Ortho we pride ourselves on using the latest cutting-edge technology to design your dream smile and help make your braces and Invisalign treatment easier. One such technology is the iTero digital impression system, an advanced oral scanner that creates a 3D computer model of your teeth! Dr. Eric now uses digital impressions for everything from Invisalign to retainers.

    Back in the day, every braces and Invisalign patient had to take traditional impressions. This meant placing a tray full of putty in your mouth until it hardens. The orthodontist would then make a model of the impression to plan your treatment. Invisalign would also create aligners from these impressions.

    Traditional impressions were uncomfortable and goopy. They also did not create the most accurate retainers or Invisalign aligners, because the material would sometimes shrink and warp as it dried.

    Enter the iTero! Instead of filling your mouth with putty, our assistants guide a small camera wand around your mouth and capture hundreds of digital images of your teeth and gums.  As you watch, these images are compiled to create a 3D model of your mouth!

    Dr. Eric can then manipulate the 3D model to plan your Invisalign treatment and to order your retainers.  When the aligners arrive they fit like a glove and the movements are accurate and precise. This all translates to a speedier treatment and beautiful results.

    If you would like to see the magic of the iTero for yourself, call our office to schedule your free consultation. Dr. Eric would love to meet you and help you design the smile you’ve always wanted.

    Smile Big!

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  • Here at Leber Ortho, we give patients of all ages the chance to Smile Big! Adult orthodontic treatment grows more popular all the time. There’s no reason to think you’ve missed your chance to straighten your teeth because you’re not 12 years old!

    The reality is that by adulthood, many of us have implants, bridges and crowns. Often, we think that we can’t get braces or Invisalign if we have any existing dental restorations. This is not the case - Dr. Eric Leber can move healthy teeth at any age! Here’s how it works:

    Types of Braces and Implants

    Unfortunately, implants cannot be moved by braces or Invisalign. The posts are fused to the jawbone, so the crowns cannot move freely as the other teeth can. However, it’s completely possible to move the surrounding teeth to more appealing positions. And if you are missing teeth and planning for an implant, braces or Invisalign can be instrumental in preparing your teeth and gums for implant placement. In fact, Dr. Eric Leber will work closely with your dentist or oral surgeon to make sure the implant will look as great as possible with your new smile.

    Braces with Fillings/Crowns

    Never fear! Teeth with fillings and crowns can move just as untreated teeth do. The restorations only alter the appearance of the top of the tooth - underneath are roots that can move easily. Bear in mind that if you get braces, Dr. Eric may need to use a different kind of adhesive on your crowns and large fillings, or he may use a band. Invisalign is a wonderful option for crowned teeth, as there are no brackets to adhere.

    We hope that this has been good news for adults wanting to straight teeth. Do not hesitate to schedule your free consultation with Dr. Eric by calling either our Tucson Orthodontist Office or our Rita Ranch Orthodontist Office. If you can, You may be surprised at how much he will be able to transform your smile!

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