LEARN ABOUT THE PROCESS OF TIGHTENING YOUR TEETH WHILE BRACES?

When you first wear braces, you will definitely go through the process of tightening your teeth while wearing braces. So what should you pay attention to this time? Let's follow this article!

Question:

Dear doctor, I heard that the process of tightening teeth with braces is the most painful, is that true? What is teeth tightening with braces ? Why is it so painful? I hope the doctor can help me answer my questions. (Yen Nhi, Hanoi)

Reply:

Hello, thank you for sending us your question. We would like to answer your question as follows:

Teeth tightening during braces - the most painful stage during braces?

We realize that most patients think the braces process will be most painful at the teeth tightening stage but in reality it is not like that. It can be said that the most painful feeling appears right from the beginning of the orthodontic process, about the first 2 months after treatment.

There are 4 most common interventions in orthodontics:

The first is attaching split elastics:

Installing split elastics is the first step to attach braces. There are many ways to separate teeth, but separating with elastic is the most painful. The doctor will place an interdental elastic band about 2mm thick between the teeth to help open the interdental area of ​​the molars, making it convenient for the doctor to attach sutures to the molars. The suture has the effect of holding and anchoring future orthopedic materials.

After attaching the split elastics, you may feel soreness and pain when chewing, so usually, after attaching the split elastics, patients will eat porridge to minimize pain and discomfort.

The second is to attach the brackets and the first wire:

The main cause of pain after installing the brackets is because the labial wire begins to gain strength. These first forces will cause you a dull pain because you are not used to the pulling force of the bowstring. In addition, the patient may feel pain due to pain and entanglement because parts such as cheeks, lips, gums, and tongue have not yet adapted to the "unfamiliar" appliance.

Third, after pulling the spring and increasing the force:

If you feel pain when pulling the spring and increasing the force, talk to the  doctor. The doctor will consider applying a moderate amount of force so that you do not feel pain.

Fourth, pain due to appliances, scratches on the lips, cheeks, and arrhythmias:

If you have pain due to appliances, scratches on the lips and cheeks, or arrectors, go to the dentist immediately to have the doctor check and adjust the braces.

What is teeth tightening with braces?

After wearing braces, you will need to go to the dentist for a follow-up examination so that the doctor can monitor the movement of the teeth and tighten them. teeth. Depending on the type of braces you wear, the follow-up time will vary. If you choose metal braces, you need to regularly go to the dentist for regular check-ups according to the treating doctor's schedule to have the elastics changed, to check the tooth tightening force, and the degree of tooth movement on the jaw. Meanwhile, if you wear automatic braces, on average, it will be a month or a month and a half before you need to go to the dentist for a follow-up examination.

During this stage, the doctor checks the movement of the teeth to tighten the teeth to move the teeth to the original intended position. You will feel pain when you pull the spring, increasing the force applied. During each follow-up examination and teeth tightening, you will feel your teeth moving. This is a good sign that your teeth are in the process of being aligned, and your pain will be gone after 3-5 days. If after teeth tightening the toothache persists, you need to go to the dentist so that the doctor can examine the teeth and adjust the appropriate tightening force.

How to reduce pain after teeth tightening?

The pain when teeth are tightened is a problem that all of you who are and will be getting braces are concerned about. You can apply one of the following ways to reduce pain after clenching your teeth:

Use an ice pack

If after each time of clenching your teeth with braces you feel pain, you can place an ice pack on the painful, sensitive area. The cold vapors will immediately relieve your discomfort.

Eat soft foods, not hard, not chewy

When  your teeth are clenched tighter it can lead to a sharp pain, especially when eating hard, crunchy foods. To limit this condition, you can use soft, spongy foods when you have a toothache to avoid using too much force when chewing. Thanks to that, you can keep your braces better and have less pain.

Massage your gums

You can use your fingers to gently rub your gums to help the tissues be massaged comfortably, reducing pain caused by teeth being clenched and moving.

The above are temporary pain relief measures. If you have applied them but still do not see effectiveness, we recommend that you see a dentist for timely treatment and optimal solutions. If you still have questions Is it okay to have an implant? Please come to Lac Viet Intech for detailed answers.

Hopefully, our answer has answered your questions. If you have any questions and need consulting support from a team of professional doctors, do not hesitate to come to Lac Viet Dental Clinic.