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Hi everyone
I was just wondering if it hurts to brush your teeth after getting braces. I’m getting full metal braces on top and bottom in 1 month and I keep having dreams about brushing my teeth with braces. It seems like it would be painful. Everyone comments on adjustments and spacers hurting, but I need to know from the experts (you guys) if brushing hurts. Thanx
For about a week after I got my braces, my teeth were really sensitive and sore even when I only pushed them a little bit with my tongue. And of course they hurt when I brushed, so I had to be very gentle and not put too much pressure on them. THE GOOD NEWS it's that in about a week everything came back to normal, no more pain,......until my next adjustment when the story repeated.
This is what happened in my case, but I read about other people's experiences, everybody is different, some people have no pain at all, others only have it for a couple of days.
Good luck with your braces, and don't worry, everything will be fine....it's all worth it.
For the first little while my teeth were super tender, and while it didn't hurt to brush with a manual toothbrush it did hurt to brush with my Sonicare. I did it anyways though because it seems to help the pain go away quicker if I don't baby my teeth.
I had sensitivity for the first couple of weeks. In this case I chose not to use the electric toothbrush and used the soft bristle brush they gave me. I remember brushing a certain way on my brackets (holding the brush at a certain angle) helped relieve some of the discomfort after first being braced.
As the sensitivity decreased over time, I turned to the electric brush. I am 3 months braced and nearly every night there will be at least one tooth that is sensitive when I brush, but you will get used to it
It didn't hurt to brush at all. I did have issues flossing a few teeth from days 3-to about 7. Now, I only have issues here and there flossing a tooth, it isn't intolerable pain, just extra pressure.
Have you ever had a root canal? If you have, did you press on the tooth with your tongue? if so, that is what it feels like. Some people say it feels like someone hit you in the face with a bat, I haven't had pain like that, maybe like someone hit a tooth with bat.
Brushing really isn't so bad after the initial discomfort subsides. That said, I wouldn't recommend an electric toothbrush for the fast few days (or immediately after an adjustment, it's just too much vibration).
The weirdest part is just realizing you need to work around the brackets and slow down a bit.
Brushing shouldn't really hurt. Sometimes, after you just got your braces tightened, your teeth will be a little sore. Make sure that you don't brush too hard because that could cause damage to your teeth and gums. Flossing too helps a lot. I know it's tough to floss with the braces, but a little flossing can go a long way!
The experts have spoken! Brushing with braces can be a bit uncomfortable in the days after first getting braced or after you've gotten an adjustment, but besides that, there's not much of a difference. Flossing is a whole other subject; you really have to change the way you floss. Also, you may have to switch toothbrushes a little more frequently because of the wear and tear caused by the brackets. Hope this and everyone else's input helps!
Braced (upper and lower): 10/29/08
Debraced: 3/17/10
Now sportin' a permanent bottom retainer
Alternate clear retainers every 12 hours
Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who dropped in to share a piece of their experience with me. Thankfully school started almost 2 weeks ago to occupy my mind with something other than braces. The wait is the worst. I still have 25 more days before I get my molds and x-rays. Then one more week for the braces. I think after perusing this site, I will be well prepared when the time comes.
I’m getting full metal braces on top and bottom in 1 month and I keep having dreams about brushing my teeth with braces. It seems like it would be painful. Everyone comments on adjustments and spacers hurting, but I need to know from the experts (you guys) 
if brushing hurts. Thanx
