How to Make Friends with Teeth

Using braces can help improve tooth position and various other benefits. However, the use of braces is often overshadowed by the pain caused. Is it true and is there a way to overcome it?

Often there are advertisements or braces that are not done by professional dentists. We recommend that you avoid these services. Braces should be done by orthodontic doctors, namely dental specialists who have received special training for tightening and leveling of teeth.

The benefits of using braces cannot be considered trivial. Starting from tidying the location and arrangement of teeth, flattening the position of the upper and lower teeth, overcoming barriers to speech, difficulty chewing and diseases of the gums, and tooth decay.

The use of braces, as part of an orthodontic procedure, will cause pain especially at the beginning of use. It is usually more pronounced in users of permanent braces, than those that can be removed.

However, there is no need to worry too much when an orthodontist recommends that you use braces. With professional handling and advice from orthodontic doctors, pain due to the use of braces can be minimized.

Causes of Pain

Surveys show that the pain caused by orthodontic action is indeed one of the things that can hinder it, while at the same time causing the patient's reluctance to continue treatment. Pain is one of the most feared things when someone wants to do orthodontic treatment. Various pain revealed by patients who use braces, among others, are described as feeling depressed, tense, aching and aching in the teeth.

The cause of the pain due to the use of braces up to now has not been known with certainty. But a study shows that the possibility of discomfort is caused by changes in blood flow to the teeth due to pressure from braces.


In addition, scraping braces and complementary instruments with soft tissue in the mouth can cause pain. Even so, some time later, the network will adapt so that braces users feel more comfortable.

Efforts to Reduce Pain

In order to obtain maximum benefits from the use of braces, efforts need to be made to reduce pain. Some of the things you can do include:

• During the first few weeks of using braces, you can use orthodontic wax to avoid injury. Use when you feel uncomfortable. Remove the wax from the packaging on your finger, then attach it to the braces that feel sharp or piercing.
• Choose soft foods that don't need to be chewed much during the first few days after using braces. The pain will mainly be felt within 1-3 days of use.
• Avoid sour drinks and foods. The citrus content in it can aggravate the wound condition in the mouth or trigger more pain.
• Avoid hard or sticky foods because they can damage braces while causing irritation. Also avoid the habit of biting hard objects such as pens, pencils, and ice cubes
• Chewing gum will increase blood flow to the mouth and gums, which can help relieve discomfort.
• Cold foods such as ice cream can provide a sense of invulnerability that reduces pain. In addition, you can attach ice cubes to areas that are painful.
• If necessary, ask your doctor to give pain relievers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.

If the pain feels very painful or makes you unable to do routine activities, especially after using braces or every time you adjust the braces, consult your orthodontist. Ask for the best solution to reduce excessive pain.

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