Ds having fixed braces, will it be painful?

[Afternooninthepark]

Ds (13) is due to have fixed braces in a couple of weeks.
I’m not sure what to expect as I don’t know anyone who has had one.
Will it cause him much discomfort? Will there be certain foods he can not eat etc?

It may be slightly uncomfortable that day and day after but he should be fine. Have some paracetamol to hand and make sure you have softer foods - maybe fish, mash potato for ex. for dinner for a day or two. When he goes to get them tightened every few weeks he may feel the same discomfort.

Good question op. My ds is getting his braces next week and I don't know what to expect either

It may be sore for a couple of days so use paracetamol. He may need dental wax if the wires rub too - the orthodontist should sell it. I'd buy wee interdental brushes so he can clean behind the wire. Hard crunchy foods will be off the menu and so will chewing gum, toffee, etc. Dd misses corn on the cob and apples (although it would be ok if cut up)

It's more uncomfortable than painful. Definitely softer food for a while, and it is the same when they are tightened. Once they settle you can eat pretty much anything, apart from corn on the cob.

From my experience, yes it's quite painful. Soup was always a good go to when I felt any pain or discomfort.

It will be painful for the first couple of days as his teeth move (and every time it gets tightened). He should be able to eat most food (except maybe toffees!) but may want to eat soft food to begin with.

I had braces a few years ago. Yes it will be painful to start with, he’ll struggle to bite into anything. I ate noodles/pasta for the first few days. Top tip is to warm the wax up with a hair dryer before applying it.

After a week (tops) the discomfort will stop and he’ll be able to eat normally. Each time the wires are tightened (every 6 weeks ish) the discomfort/pressure will return for a few days.

Mine were really painful for the first few days. Even mashed potato was too much at first. I lived on yoghurt and smoothies.

Make sure he gets some wax as the wires and brackets can rub the mouth and be quite sore.

The first week or so is definitely the worst though. There’s a bit of discomfort each time they’re tightened but not as bad as the initial fitting.

Yes his teeth will be sore for a few days. Paracetamol and ibuprofen will help. In terms of food, he will find it hard to eat while the teeth are tender. Soup will be his friend. I also blitzed pasta and sauce for a few days too. But the discomfort will quickly pass. He will also have a day or two discomfort when the braces are tightened every 4 weeks. We are finding this passes quicker with each tightening (we're 4 months in).

In terms of what he can and can't eat. Apples are out unless chopped into small pieces, Pizza crust, French baguettes, toffees, chewy sweets and chewing gum are all not not allowed.

Brushing the teeth and braces is also a big consideration. It takes about 10-15 mins at night. It should be happening more often. But doesnt. He seems to he getting away with mouth wash before school.

Good luck. It will all be worth it.

They will be uncomfortable but I wouldn't say it's 'painful'. It's more of a disconcerting feeling than anything else. The worst bit for me was them rubbing on my lip a bit. They will be uncomfortable for the first day or so, and after each adjustment. Food wise, avoid the obvious toffee, etc and make sure they brush thoroughly morning and night.

Thanks all for the helpful info. He’s not having them done at our regular dentist, he was referred to another dentist in our town, they were rather abrupt and unapproachable and didn’t offer up too much info.
I do remember a friend at school having them and coming back to school in tears each time she had them tightened (not telling ds that).

My DD is due to have fixed braces fitted in the new year and I am dreading it a bit! I have already warned her school (she'll need to miss a lesson to get them fitted) and have picked a Friday afternoon appt to give her the weekend to get used to them.

We've developed a few soft food choices during the pre-brace extractions (unfortunately she doesn't eat soup!) so we have a few ideas for that. She is due to go to an activity on Saturday morning and luckily one of the people running it has had braces themselves so has already said it's OK if she doesn't want to speak on the day!

I intend to stock up with wax and calpol!

Will it not be an orthodontist that does them? We have our regular dentist and then dd goes to the orthodontist for anything to do with her braces. Dd has only found them sore once or twice and has had hers for over a year

My DD has twin blocks at the moment and will be moving to train tracks over the next couple of months.

She was in agony when she had them put in but regular ibuprofen and the bonjela for teens helped with the soreness. I’ll be glad to see the back of them in the spring - I’m hoping that train tracks won’t be as bad🤷‍♀️

I had fixed “train tracks” as a teen and yes, they are uncomfortable and even painful for the first few days. The pain was particularly bad the first night. It really doesn’t last long though and soft food is fine. The pain is nothing like toothache though.

In my own experience, it aches a fair bit when they are put on and each time they are tightened - for around 24-48hrs while the teeth shift slightly. Paracetamol helped lots.

Also it took some getting used to moving my mouth without shredding the onsiiof my lips at first, that can be a bit sore (go back if too bad and they can put wax on to protect you I think).

But it's not painful per se having them put on. Very much worth it in my case even though I hated how I looked as a teenager!

I’m not looking forward to it tbh as ds can be a bit whimpish at times, I’m expecting him to complain a bit. I’ll stock up on paracetamol and soft foods.

DD had hers fitted and was absolutely fine I think they were tender the first day/night but after that she was completely fine with them
wnd only had paracetamol the first day/night.

Having them fitted doesn't hurt, but the next day or two can be anything from just a bit achy to "I wish I could just rip my face off" to quote DC2.

Soft foods that they enjoy. There's nothing wrong with living on ice cream for a couple of days! Crusty bread, thick based pizzas and whole apples will be out of the frame for a while.