What should I do if my teeth feel sensitive after orthodontic treatment?

Dec 23, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Liu Chao

Introduction

In general, tooth sensitivity after orthodontic treatment may be related to normal physiological responses, dietary factors, tooth wear, gingivitis, periapical periodontitis, and other factors. Patients are advised to seek timely medical attention at a hospital and follow the doctor's instructions for treatment. Treatment options may include regular follow-up visits, adjustment of dietary habits, use of fluoride toothpaste, medication, root canal treatment, and other approaches.

Generally, tooth soreness after orthodontic treatment may be related to normal physiological phenomena, dietary factors, tooth wear, gingivitis, and apical periodontitis. Patients can undergo treatments such as regular follow-up visits, adjusting dietary habits, using fluoride toothpaste, medication therapy, and root canal treatment. It is recommended that patients promptly visit a hospital and follow medical advice for treatment. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Normal Phenomenon: During orthodontic treatment, changes may occur in the teeth, alveolar bone, and periodontal tissues, causing temporary tooth soreness and sensitivity. This is a normal phenomenon that does not require special treatment. Patients should maintain good oral hygiene and schedule regular follow-up visits at the hospital.

2. Dietary Factors: Consuming excessively hard, acidic, sweet, cold, or hot foods may cause tooth sensitivity and soreness. Adjusting dietary habits and avoiding such foods can help alleviate these symptoms.

3. Tooth Wear: Bite adjustments before and after orthodontic treatment may lead to surface wear of the teeth, exposing dentin and causing tooth sensitivity, manifested as increased sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures and pain during eating. Using fluoride toothpaste, such as sodium fluoride toothpaste, can help strengthen the tooth surface. If necessary, dentin bonding agents can be applied to reduce sensitivity.

4. Gingivitis: Poor oral hygiene may lead to bacterial infection in the gums, causing gingivitis and resulting in tooth soreness, possibly accompanied by symptoms such as gum bleeding, bad breath, and gum swelling. Patients should use medications such as amoxicillin capsules, cefixime dispersible tablets, and cefradine dispersible tablets as directed by a physician to aid recovery.

5. Apical Periodontitis: During tooth movement, minor injuries at the root apex or improper previous root canal treatment may cause inflammatory reactions in the periapical tissues, leading to tooth soreness. Symptoms may also include tooth mobility, bite pain, and swelling in the apical area. Root canal treatment is recommended, and apical surgery may be necessary in some cases.

In daily life, patients should maintain good oral hygiene, avoid consuming excessively hard, acidic, sweet, cold, or hot foods, and schedule regular follow-up visits at the hospital to ensure dental health.

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Is wearing a retainer more painful than wearing braces?

The material and shape of the retainer are designed to fit as closely as possible to the teeth after orthodontic treatment, in order to maintain their position and alignment. Compared to braces, retainers are typically thinner and lighter, causing minimal pressure or discomfort in the mouth. It is important to maintain good oral hygiene, clean the retainer regularly, and avoid eating overly hard or sticky foods to prevent damage to the retainer or compromise the orthodontic results.

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How to brush teeth properly after orthodontic treatment to ensure thorough cleaning

After orthodontic treatment, to ensure oral cleanliness and health, it is important to choose a soft-bristled toothbrush, use fluoride toothpaste, brush teeth thoroughly by dividing the mouth into sections, make good use of interdental brushes or dental floss to clean between teeth, and appropriately increase the frequency of brushing. Dividing the mouth into several sections and cleaning them one by one helps prevent missed spots, ensuring thorough cleaning around braces and in hard-to-reach areas.

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Is it necessary to wear a retainer after orthodontic treatment?

There is no such thing as the claim that retainers are absolutely necessary after orthodontic treatment. However, wearing a retainer is generally required following orthodontic correction. During orthodontic treatment, teeth undergo significant changes in position and alignment. After treatment, both the teeth and surrounding tissues need time to adapt to their new positions. A retainer helps stabilize the teeth in their corrected positions, preventing them from reverting to their original misaligned state.

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Why do gaps appear between teeth after orthodontic treatment, and what should be done?

Under normal circumstances, gaps between teeth after orthodontic treatment may result from tooth tilting or misalignment, excessive orthodontic force, failure to wear a retainer or insufficient retainer wearing time after treatment, dental caries or tooth decay, periodontal disease, and other related factors. Treatment options may include routine therapy, dental fillings, supragingival scaling, subgingival curettage, and other methods under a doctor's guidance.