How Painful Is Orthodontic Treatment?

An orthodontic treatment can not only improve the appearance of your smile by making your teeth straighter, but also help improve oral and even general health. However, many people dread going through with the treatment because it can cause pain and discomfort. In this article, we discuss the comfort difference between clear aligners and traditional braces and answer the question: How painful is orthodontic treatment?

The goal of an orthodontic treatment is to correct the way your teeth are positioned or aligned in the mouth and improve the bite in some cases. To achieve this, any orthodontic treatment involves gently guiding the teeth to move through the jawbone and gums by continuously applying gentle pressure to them. The nature of this process means that an orthodontic treatment cannot be painless, regardless of the type of appliances used.

The amount of discomfort and pain you experience during the treatment largely depends on the severity of the misalignment and bite issues, as well as your personal pain tolerance. Additionally, the type of orthodontic appliance might play a role: patients report that clear aligners can cause less discomfort overall compared to traditional metal braces.

Additionally, it is essential to remember that your orthodontic appliances are unlikely to cause pain all the time. Instead, most patients experience discomfort only during a couple of days after braces adjustments or when they switch to a new set of clear aligners. Once your teeth become accustomed to the adjustments made, the aching typically goes away.

Do Clear Aligners Cause Less Pain than Traditional Braces?

Clear aligners can indeed cause less discomfort in daily use than traditional metal braces because:

They do not have metal parts that can rub against the soft tissue in your mouth, causing irritation and sores.
However, they can still rub against the gum line occasionally, especially initially, as you get used to wearing them.
You can take your aligners out when eating, which makes meals more enjoyable and allows you to choose from a broader variety of foods.
It is easier to clean your aligners than traditional braces, and the oral hygiene is also more straightforward.

How to Reduce and Manage Discomfort During an Orthodontic Treatment

If you opt for clear aligners that can be taken out at will, you should still wear them all the time, even if they cause discomfort. This way, your teeth will become accustomed to your appliances much faster, and the pain will subside. If you keep taking your aligners out to let your teeth rest, the process of getting used to them will start anew each time you put them back in. Additionally, the treatment may not be effective, and you may need to wear your aligners for a longer period.
If your braces or aligners cause rubbing and sores, try dental wax to reduce the friction and protect the tender tissue. However, ensure that if you use dental wax with clear aligners, it does not alter the way they fit on your teeth.
Try salt water or camomile rinses to manage sores.
Apply an oral anesthetic gel to irritated areas of the gums, teeth, or cheeks if the pain causes too much discomfort. Also, you can take over-the-counter painkillers to temporarily reduce the aching. However, remember that both of these medications cannot be taken all the time. Strictly follow the prescription and stay within the allowed doses.

Get an Orthodontic treatment at Absolute Family Dentistry

If you are considering an orthodontic treatment, do not hesitate to make an appointment with an experienced dentist at Absolute Family Dentistry today. Our specialists will carefully evaluate your case to determine the type of orthodontic treatment that best suits your goals and needs. We are looking forward to your visit.