Toothache While Wearing Braces

Orthodontic treatments can definitely cause some pain. These usually come in the form of tooth sensitivity, pain in the gums, soreness in the jaw, and residual bleeding. But when you experience toothache while wearing braces, it’s not always a result of orthodontics.

Let’s go over the possible causes of tooth pain while wearing braces and what to do about it.

Is it because of the braces?

Braces can cause pain, especially if they were recently adjusted or were adjusted too tight. When this happens, you may experience some swelling or soreness in your gums, jaws, or teeth. The tightness can also sometimes cause a toothache.

You can tell that your braces are responsible for the toothache when there are no signs of damage or decay in or around the tooth. Another telltale sign is when the pain occurs right after your orthodontist activates or adjusts your braces.

You can treat pain from an activation session by numbing your tooth with ice, baby teething gel, or clove oil. You may also apply heat to the affected area with a heating pad or reduce the inflammation with cold food like ice cream or popsicles.

Is it something else?

If the tooth pain is constant and does not respond to numbing agents, the problem may be the tooth itself. If your toothache is persistent, consult your dentist. He or she may have to take a dental X-ray to determine the problem. If you end up needing a root canal, filling, or extraction, your braces may have to come off for a while.