Braces date back to ancient times. Throughout history, various forms of braces were employed to straighten the oral profile. Thus, braces have stood the test of time. Modern dental braces are a form of orthodontic treatment. They are used to correct crowded or crooked teeth and misaligned bites. The braces are made up of small brackets cemented to your teeth and connected by a thin wire.

How dental braces work

Braces work by applying continuous pressure. This pressure slowly forces the teeth to be set in a certain direction.

Treatment may take anywhere between six months to year. The time varies depending on the amount of work required. Adult treatments may also take a longer time as compared to that of children. Since children’s jaw are still developing, they are more susceptible to the change applied.

It takes one to two hours for your dentist to install your braces. Before placing the brackets, they will clean and dry your teeth. After applying a special glue, he or she will attach the brackets. Finally, they will place archwires in the brackets and secure them with elastic bands.

Are braces painful?

You will not experience any pain during the installation of the dental braces. Afterwards, you might experience some level of soreness in your teeth or gums. The feeling will last for only a few days to a week, and is only mildly uncomfortable.

If you experience any pain for a longer period, contact your dentist to book an appointment.

After the procedure

To reduce the soreness you experience after the procedure, you could follow these tips:

• Eat soft foods for the first few days
• You may use over the counter painkillers. Your dentist might prescribe some medication to control your discomfort
• Avoid sucking on or touching your mouth sores while they are healing
• Rinsing your mouth with warm, salty water helps to ease the irritation caused by the mouth sores
• Avoid acidic foods or drinks as they may cause more irritation