Lingual braces are a unique type of braces that are fixed to the back of your teeth rather than the front. This makes them virtually invisible and eliminates the stress of unsightly traditional braced.
Do Lingual Braces Hurt?
Patients often shy away from the idea of wearing braces due to the associated discomfort and pain. The discomfort that comes with wearing braces is caused by the pressure placed on the teeth by the tightening wires. All teeth straightening treatments require forces applied to the teeth, and therefore it is probable that you will experience some level of discomfort at some time.
However, during treatment with lingual braces there is significantly less pressure applied to the teeth, allowing your teeth to move at a slightly slower rate. This makes the entire treatment procedure far more comfortable than traditional braces.
What’s more, less frictional force on the teeth further allows you to go for longer breaks between orthodontic adjustments. It does mean that overall treatment time with lingual braces is longer than that of traditional metal braces.
Tips to Alleviate Discomfort
If you do experience minimal discomfort during your lingual braces treatment, there are a few things you can do to alleviate it, such as:
- Use salt water – add half a spoonful of salt to a glass of warm water and stir well. Gargle the water to ease the pain.
- Use painkillers – for the first week or two, braces may cause pain on your gums and tongue. Your dentist can prescribe painkillers to use when the pain is extreme.
- Eat soft foods – chewing can be uncomfortable just after getting braces, so stick to a diet of soft foods for a few days, such as pasta, porridge, and soups.
- Eat cold foods – for the first few days after getting braces, consume cold foods to help alleviate pain. Make sure, though, that your teeth aren’t too sensitive to cold temperatures before heading for the ice cream.
Book an appointment with Profile Orthodontics to discuss if lingual braces are a suitable teeth straightening solution for you.
