How Do Braces Actually Work?

Misaligned teeth can put you at risk for tooth decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss. Braces shift teeth by applying pressure, which constricts blood flow to the surrounding tissue that holds those teeth in place. That in turn causes special immune cells called osteoclasts to rush in and dissolve part of the jawbone, creating a space for the tooth to slide over and relieve the pressure.

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How Do Braces Actually Work?

[amo_res]

If you have braces, you know the struggle of finding small pieces of food in your mouth hours after brushing for 10 minutes.

[happyniazi]

How dare they dissolve my all ready non existent jaw bone/line

[Killingtime]

As a dentist I must tell everyone that while this is true, it's just a tiny little fraction of what it really happens. The process is way more complex that cells sucking calcium from your jaw bone.

[laurenbashoura]

I got braces in college and had them for about two years. They could be a little painful in the beginning and after tightenings, but they weren’t that bad overall. It was really cool to see just how much my teeth moved over time, and to finally see the perfect end results. They also corrected a huge overbite that I had. Just wanted to comment for the people who haven’t yet gotten them, who might be scared or intimidated reading some of the other comments. Of course, everyone’s experience is different, and I’m sure that the pain feels a lot worse to children that to adults, but overall, I didn’t find it an unbearable experience. The worst part for me was trying to eat with the bite blocks on.

[remin_a]

people who wear fake braces: braces are so cute!
people with actual braces: *i am in eternal pain*

[-subscriberswithahammerad]

As a guy who has had braces, I can say that braces are horrible while on and amazing when taken off

[Abyssal]

Braces tip: As someone with braces, who has delt with food stuck in the darn braces, trust me a water flosser is a smart investment. The orthodontist gave me a free one after I got my braces on, and it works so well! Lol definitely try one if you're dealing with food stuck in your braces.

[peeper]

I’ve actually had braces and if you’re gonna get them then trust me: they hurt a lot for the first couple of days- day 1 I literally couldn’t eat because my teeth felt like they were going to burst with every bite. After every tightening appointment it hurts for a couple of days but it is more like an inconvenient pain- nothing like getting them fitted for the first time. Basically- the only time you will ever be making that face at 00:01 is in the first couple of days. 99% of the time you forget they are even there.

[connorkim]

Don't need braces if you don't have teeth
-Albert Einstein

[alestillos]

Just got braces yesterday and nobody warned me that eating anything harder than liquid hurts😒😔😔
Edit: just got them tightened and the pain is 10x

[mishfishy]

WEAR YOUR RETAINERS, KIDS! I had braces THREE TIMES because I didn’t wear them lol.

[arshiyae.]

I read a lot of comments how they had crooked teeth and braces gave them a new smile and new confidence. Which is true in my case as well. And then I read a lot of replies to those comments saying if you don't love yourself you will only see defects and imperfections etc etc.
People you do realise that a person can love themselves and still be conscious of their simle. Loving yourself doesn't mean that constant negativity doesn't affect you at all. We are all human and these things affect us. No one is perfect. People around me constantly point out my crooked smile but I still like to smile and laugh to my heart's content. But that doesn't mean their pointing doesn't feel bad. I appreciate that you tell people to be happy in their skin and smile but nobody can achieve that level of positively, that it builds up pressure on you to always be positive, to always love yourself. Excess of anything is bad even if it is self-love. We all love ourselves or learning to do so.
Please stop commenting how people need to stop seeking validation, I know you are trying to be nice but rather than that just tell us how braces gave us nice smile. We are all struggling and we all love ourselves but don't rub it on someone's face.

[wokeypsyche]

Braces: Finally off for good

Wisdom teet: Cha cha real smooth

[nicolettethebaguette]

"Until they come off for good"
Retainers: "am I a joke to you?"

[anabrito]

Honestly my experience with braces was quite painless, I think it kind of depends on each person's pain tolerance 🤔

[jcout]

I really feel you should have added at the end that after you get the braces off, you're in a retainer for the rest of your life. Getting braces is a lifetime commitment.

[TheGreatCooLite]

People about to get braces better *brace* themselves

[a.blaise]

I am okay with the pain of wearing braces for two years than the pain of getting laughed at and being called names for having crooked teeth when I was a kid. Not all of us are born with perfectly aligned teeth and I am glad I got braces and I am able to smile without feeling self conscious.

[sierra]

Pro tip: when you get your braces off, DO NOT neglect wearing your retainer. I got mine off in middle school, stupidly figured those years of wearing braces meant they wouldn’t move and now I could use braces again. Lowkey it is my biggest regret in life.

[infamouscha]

As someone who has braces right now, they suck at first. When I first got them on and tried eating, I thought to myself "How am I going to do this for the next 2 years?"

Eventually you get used to it, and the pain usually only happens when you first get them on, or get them tightened. Take some Tylenol and you'll be fine.

I should also mention, my teeth weren't horribly crooked, so I cannot attest for the pain level for more uneven teeth.