Braces – Side Effects and Problems

Braces can achieve amazing results in straightening your teeth and correcting misalignment or poor bites, but there are many factors you should consider before undergoing treatment. Here, we’re investigating the most common side effects and problems that patients experience during treatment.

Discomfort after Tightening

When you’re wearing a brace, the wires must generally be tightened every four to six weeks in order to gradually move the teeth into their correct position. These adjustments apply pressure to the teeth which can cause some discomfort or pain.

Some patients at our Brisbane office experience soreness in their teeth or jaw for a few days after the adjustment, and the pressure on your teeth can cause your gums to be tender. Fortunately, this pain is usually short-lived and can be easily managed with painkillers.

Oral Hygiene Issues

You may have heard stories of people wearing braces and developing tooth decay or gum disease as a result but this is not true. Wearing braces does not have a detrimental effect on your oral health; it simply requires more attention to maintain. When you are wearing a brace, it’s very important to brush and floss your teeth after eating in order to keep the area clean and free of bacteria, but there is no reason that the braces themselves should affect your oral health.

Injuries from Your Appliance

It is unlikely that your brace itself will cause you any injuries but it is possible for this to happen on occasion. Loose or broken wires and brackets can scratch or irritate the cheeks, gums or lips, so it’s important to get breaks fixed as soon as they occur.

You can reduce the likelihood of harming your appliance by avoiding hard and crunchy foods as these can catch in the wires or brackets.

Mouth Ulcers or Canker Sores

When your brace is first fitted, you may notice ulcers or sores inside your mouth caused by the appliance rubbing against your cheeks and lips. Over time, the inside of your mouth will become resistant to this contact and the sores will disappear. Until then, if you find your brace causing continued discomfort to the soft tissue of your mouth, you can try using orthodontic wax strips which form a protective barrier between your brace and cheeks.

For more information on the potential side effects of braces from the team at Tony Weir Orthodontics, call us now on 07 3054 6767 or visit our contact page for more ways to get in touch.