Everyone processes pain and discomfort differently. While some people have a higher tolerance to pain, others have a lower tolerance. If you find that you're sensitive to pain, you might be worried about the idea of getting braces. After all, braces move your teeth around. If you're scared that this might hurt, here's what you should know about potential braces discomfort and how you can handle it.

Slow and Steady

The first thing to point out is that braces rarely cause pain, and at most, usually only cause mild discomfort for a day or so at a time. This is because braces don't naturally cause any discomfort, but when they're tightened, they may make your teeth feel a little sore.

It's important to remember that teeth are bones and moving them takes time. Your orthodontist won't be yanking your teeth around or forcing them to rapidly take a new position. The only way to go about this procedure is to do it gradually, which reduces the risk of discomfort you may feel.

Slowing Down

If you were to get braces and felt that the discomfort was too much for you, you have several other options to consider. For example, you could ask your orthodontist to more gradually adjust your teeth. This would mean smaller adjustments during each visit, which would lessen the risk of any discomfort. While this will typically cause a slight delay in the end date of your braces treatment, it may be worth it to you if you can't handle intense pain.

Pain Relief

Another thing to consider is that over-the-counter pain relievers are helpful in treating any minor discomfort you might have from your braces being adjusted. The teeth contain nerves, which are impacted by pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen the same way that your muscles and other nerve endings are. If you're particularly worried, you can take a dose just before having your braces adjusted, and then take it again every few hours as directed. This will keep the majority of any discomfort at bay, making it even more comfortable for you.

Getting braces isn't torture. Plenty of people have gotten them over the decades, from little kids to older adults. Any understanding orthodontist will work with you to suit your needs and requests, so don't worry about being forced into adjustments that you're not ready for. When you set up a consultation with an orthodontist, make sure to bring up your concerns about discomfort so the two of you can develop a plan to keep you comfortable throughout your treatment.