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OK, so I had my first follow-up appt yesterday at 6 weeks and I was sooo not prepared for the amount of pain involved I don't know if my tech is just really rough or it's normal for it to hurt like heck and feel like your brackets and teeth are trying to be yanked out of your mouth every time the ligs are put on?!?! Anyone else have very sensitive/painful teeth at their first follow-up appts? Does it get better? PLEASE tell me it gets better
My first is in 2 weeks and I was surprised at the amount of discomfort when the put the ligs on for the first time, so now I am really looking forward to it!
You're not crazy! If this is your first follow-up appointment, you really haven't had anyone touching or tugging on your braces since you got them on. It's natural to feel some discomfort, and I will tell you that it does get better. I think I got a new wire at my first follow-up. I didn't have ligs at the time (had self-ligating brackets with doors), but the opening and closing of the doors (especially the closing) hurt like a MOFO!
You may, however, have an assistant who is a little rougher than necessary, and maybe you could just let him/her know that your teeth are very sensitive at the moment, and ask if she could just be a little more careful. The assistants work on patients in various stages of orthodontia, and don't know if you're hurting unless you tell them. I've told them a couple of times, and they're always very accommodating. In fact, yesterday I got an assistant who, the last time I saw her, accidentally stabbed me in the gum right next to a tooth they were moving back with an elastic - that thing bled for the rest of the day! I said a small curse word and told her that tooth was very sensitive.
Next time, try taking some ibuprofen an hour or two before your appointment. That may help.
Yep, my teeth were fairly sore after the first adjustment. Almost worse than when I got my braces on.. got a new wire though - so I'm guessing that was the issue.
I didn't take anything, might next time. I found that the lig changing wasn't comfortable at all and getting the wire into the grooves was a pain. Hoping it won't be like that when I get the wire out for my dentist appt.
I am headed for the first adjustment on my upper teeth Monday, and keep telling myself that nothing can be worse than the spacers.
One of the assistants where I go is a little rough with me. I have to tell her, pretty loudly, that it hurts. Luckily, she has a cubicle, so if she is not paying attention to me, a loud "OW!" gets her attention and everyone else's, too. One of the assistants has had braces and one hasn't. The one that had them is a lot more careful with me. The one that hasn't, needs some sensitivity training.
Metal braces from March 2011 until October 2012. Hawley retainers since October 2012.
You are not crazy. Your teeth are sensative because of the movement. I had high "fangs" and when they were coming down, when the assistant put in the new wire, it hurt like heck. Try taking a pain reliever before going for your adjustments.
I agree with Brace Geek, the spacers are far worse than the adjustments.
Sorry to hear about your pain. Sensitivity to things usually lessens with more exposure so hopefully you will get used to it (desensitised). I have been lucky to have experienced virtually no pain during adjustments. My teeth do feel a bit sore the day after adjustments and this makes me shy away from chewing. Unfortunately, I love to eat so I end up swallowing my food whole which causes me terrible indigestion/heartburn...so most of my pain is my own fault!
Getting on with my life: Step 3. Complete Metal Mouth Top and Bottom
My first adjustment didn't hurt at all. The second was a whole different story. But I have found a corelation. I only have issues when a specific assistant does my adjustments.
At my last adjustment, I had her again. I was in pain for 3 days afterward. I thought if she was this rough with an adult, I can't imagine what she is like with a child!
I wanted to ask to not have her do my adjustments but I don't want to me mean. So what do I do?
I don't know if my tech is just really rough or it's normal for it to hurt like heck and feel like your brackets and teeth are trying to be yanked out of your mouth every time the ligs are put on?!?! Anyone else have very sensitive/painful teeth at their first follow-up appts? Does it get better? PLEASE tell me it gets better 
