do spacers hurt?

[birdygirl]

I'm getting spacers today and they are putting the braces on Monday. I heard that spacers really hurt. Kinda scared.

[suzyscientist]

Don't be scared! It's nothing to worry about!

Lots of people (me included) complain about spacers - because they're weird! It feels like a big bit of food stuck between your teeth. In my case they were the first part of my orthodontic treatment so I had no idea what to expect, which probably made me think the pain was worse than it really was.

In hindsight it's not that bad and taking a few painkillers totally rid of the pain. Eating mushy food helps too; sometimes chewing hard things can hurt. The pain is really just your teeth going "nooo we can't be bothered moving.... oh fine, ok then, we'll move". So in orthodontics, pain = good because your teeth are moving!

Anyway, the pain goes after a few days so don't panic and don't let it discourage you. Most people find the spacers are the most irritating part of having braces so in the grand scheme of treatment, it's a small part of the time.

Basically having any orthodontic treatment isn't the best fun your mouth can have, but it's all for a purpose and think of how happy you'll be once its done.

And these boards are amazing - I wouldn't be half as happy with my braces if I couldn't read all these inspiring posts and realise that there are loads of others going through the same thing. So keep reading and post away - there are always people willing to give you sympathy!


Sorry for rambling post! Hope this helps

Suzy

[catgyrl]

Suzy's right - these boards have been a godsend! Whenever I'm having a bad day, or have a question about something, I know I can come here and there will be someone who can help / commiserate with me.

As for spacers... anyone who's read my story knows my hate/hate relationship with them. The worst part for me was getting them put in, because my teeth were very crowded. I then proceeded to experience one of them falling out... getting bitten in half... or just plain eaten by moi! My ortho was less upset than I was - just kept putting them back in until we had enough space for my bands. After that, it's a piece of cake.

So, they're not painful at all - just a bit annoying. Once you're fully banded and wired, you'll feel much better. (That is... until you feel like crap from adjustment pain. haha)

[sdilley]

Think of it as a workout for your teeth. A good workout comes with a little discomfort. I haven't had spacers, but anytime your teeth move, it is uncomfortable for a few days. Good luck!!! And no worries!! You'll have a beautiful smile!!!

[Takako]

Spacers hurt, for me. It wasn't just "wierd" as another poster said (I envy you!) it was downright painful. But fortunately they are only temporary! I had mine in for over 2 weeks.

[bouncintigger96]

I have only one spacer that has been in since Monday.After day four(yesterday) it started to become sore. Getting braced this Monday and sooooo excited!

[wired nana]

Good luck on Monday!

[ChocolateKate]

For me...they are terrible. I get my braces in Tuesday and I cannot wait for them to pull these off! I think I might tell them to let me chill for 30 minutes before they put the brackets on so I can feel like my normal self again! LOL Motrin has helped me a great deal. If I pop a few in the morning Im good until the evening!!!

[NervousNewbie]

I've only had my spacers for 24 hours but so far the worst pain was just having them put in. However, this was because the ortho assistant tried several times to get them in before she finally let the ortho do it. Getting them in was very unpleasant but once they were in it was fine, and 24 hours in I don't feel them at all. They may start to ache once my teeth begin to move... I guess we'll see!

[revontuli]

I found them kind of bouncy and fun at first -- until about 8 hours later when my teeth started to ache from the pressure of being pushed apart. I was on an airplane and didn't realize I probably wasn't supposed to eat the pretzels they presented to me, so I ate pretzels and lost 2 spacers in the process. I had them re-installed the next day. By the time I went to the ortho 5 days later, I wasn't so much in pain as just *really anxious* to get those darn things out from between my teeth! They were annoying as can be, and two of them started to squeak when they touched, which nearly drove me around the bend. But they're very temporary and I felt like I was finally on my way!

[WebDevGirl]

I didn't find them too bad. One tooth sorta bothered me a lot but that was because i kept poking at it with my tongue and messing with it with my fingernail making it loser and loser.

I had that one replaced and now none of them even bother me that much. I've had them over a week now.

[38Illinois]

Some people say spacers are the worst part of braces. Well, they are wrong. Spacers are nothing compared to braces.

[NervousNewbie]

Some people say spacers are the worst part of braces. Well, they are wrong. Spacers are nothing compared to braces.

Eh they're not necessarily wrong - I mean the majority of people say that spacers are the worst part, so, that many people can't be wrong - they just are having a different experience than you is all.

[catgyrl]

I agree with NervousNewbie. My mouth/gums have not bled once since I got my braces, but boy, they sure did when I got the spacers and molar bands put in!

-Cathy

[Emster0513]

I just got my spacers like 10 minutes ago and they don't hurt but they feel weird they are really annoying too hopefully they won't hurt in the morning I'm getting my braces on Wednesday I'm so excited