Braces Pain Interferes with Athletics?

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#1 Post by **karencoutts** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:11 am

I'm about to get braces this Thursday after waiting for six months. I have a triathlon on March 8. I have been training for it since November!

My question is: Will the pain from the braces be severe enough three weeks after installation to interfere with my racing ability? Am I going to be in constant debilitating pain from the braces so my racing is compromised?

Thank you!

#2 Post by **thisisme** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 2:40 am

You'll definitely be fine!

The pain, if any, is usually only when you eat. For me spacers were more painful and I was eating (almost) anything I wanted after the first week of getting my braces on.

Braces should not give you much pain, and definitely not give you so much pain to compromise your racing!

#3 Post by **Andromeda** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 7:57 am

From what most other people have described in these boards, I seem to have been one of those who had much more pain than most when I got mine on. Most people describe it as soreness when you eat, but mine was acute pain in my entire head, jaw, down my neck, into my back, shoulders, etc. I don't know why it effected me so much more than most people, but it was really bad and it took at least 4 days for the pain to subside enough that it was just in my mouth, and then probably 2 weeks from brace day to be able to eat normal food again. By that time, there was no more pain even when I would chew. I assume since I seem to have been one of the more painful cases, and mine was gone in under 3 weeks, you should definitely be fine since yours probably won't even be near as bad.

#4 Post by **theKurp** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 9:28 am

Your mileage may vary but I can tell you that during the first few days of getting braces exercising helped diminish the pain. It didn't matter whether I lifted weights or hopped on the elliptical the pain would ease almost to the point of being unnoticeable. My guess is that this has to do with increased blood flow to all parts of the body, including the gums.

#5 Post by **naturegirl** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 4:43 pm

I wouldn't worry about the pain. When I got my braces, I went running two days later and the running did seem to take my mind off any pain. Initially, I was actually more concerned about how I was going to fuel myself on trail runs because I wasn't sure if cliff shots would mess up my braces (it doesn't.)

I think you'll be fine. Good luck!

#6 Post by **allisun** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 5:57 pm

My guess is that this has to do with increased blood flow to all parts of the body, including the gums.

Or endorphins!

#7 Post by **blindboarder2008** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 8:32 pm

you should be just fine. if you have any pain its usually in the first few weeks but like everyone said above exercise usually helps take away the pain. Of course everyone is different but i think you'll be just fine!!!!! Best of luck!!!

#8 Post by **roost22** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 6:28 am

naturegirl wrote:I wouldn't worry about the pain. When I got my braces, I went running two days later and the running did seem to take my mind off any pain. Initially, I was actually more concerned about how I was going to fuel myself on trail runs because I wasn't sure if cliff shots would mess up my braces (it doesn't.)

I think you'll be fine. Good luck!

Anything that takes your mind off of your sore teeth will help you. You'll be FINE!

#9 Post by **classII** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 11:02 am

I think it will interfere

Not any pain though. But more than likely you will have heat sensitive wires on at this early stage. Constant hot and heavy breathing and raise in body temp. will ensure that they remain active throughout your work out, which in turn has you catching or rubbing your inside lips over the brackets, which in turn dry out your mouth unusually so.

You'll need to carry a lot more fluid than usual.

Just trot on the treadmill for an hour or so a few days after you get them to see what I mean. And it doesn't take any getting used to even after 12 months, it just takes constant lubrication.

#10 Post by **karencoutts** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 5:39 pm

Thank you for your opinions on this. It seems the majority of you think it will not make a difference 3 weeks after installation. ClassII, I believe you also when you say that I'll have to hydrate more. Luckily this is only a sprint distance tri that I will likely complete in 1.5 to 2 hours of heavy breathing. There are water stations set up throughout the course. Maybe I'll just visit them often. I do tend to breathe very heavily during the exertion of racing.

I don't want to change my appointment now with only two days to go. Hopefully I am so far from standing on the podium that braces don't matter anyway.

Best regards to all.

#11 Post by **karencoutts** » Mon Feb 23, 2009 11:31 pm

I had the braces installed last Thursday, so today is Day 5. I would say that the braces do not interfere at all with my training (run, bike, swim). The only real effect is that food was initially painful to eat so there may have been a problem getting enough food to keep up my energy levels at first.

I'm already eating almost normally and the braces haven't caused many sore spots. I really don't even notice I'm wearing them when I'm training.

Thanks again to everyone for their kind advice. I'm glad I didn't delay getting the braces.

#12 Post by **SandiP** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 5:26 pm

Hi, this is my first post. I read yours about training. I got my upper braces in November and ran a 10K 2 days after. It was very hard for a couple of reasons - it was freezing cold [30] and I had not run with my braces on. I took 2 days off after I got them on and then ran the race. I was surprised at how it affected my breathing. Looking back, I would have done a short run prior to my race so I could see how it felt. Your tri is not until March 8th, so you will be running prior to that. Just get used to the breathing difference.

Also...swimming, the first time I swam, I was very conscious of my breathing and how they felt, but it did not take long at all to adjust and now I never notice them in swim training. Bike-haven't noticed a difference, I guess I keep my mouth mostly shut while on bike.

In my training, I have found it best to make sure my ortho appointments are not near a race, so I can have adequate time to recover, whether tightening or whatever. I just got bottoms put on today and I am miserable, so I will be taking tomorrow off training. Just so I don't overstress my body.

Congratulations on your tri training and I wish you the best of luck!

sp

#13 Post by **Mikee11187** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 5:13 am

First time I got my braces my teeth felt more stable and it felt like i was wearing a mouth guard! I like braces with sports unless you get hit in the mouth....thats no fun. but you should be fine!

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Braces Pain Interferes with Athletics?

Braces Pain Interferes with Athletics?

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Now that I have the braces in

Good luck on your triathlon training!