I'm getting rubber bands tomorrow for my braces

Question

how bad do they hurt or do they hurt at all.

Answer 1

Not that bad

your teeth or gums might be a little tender or sore for awhile, but youll eventually get use to it

it also depends on the thickness of the rubberband the smaller/thicker ones hurt a lil more vs the thinner rubberbands

they come in cool colors too

=D

Answer 2

There's some what of a little pressuree, but you'll get use to it. You'll just speak funny for a little that's all.

Answer 3

The others described the pain reasonably well though it's always pretty individual.  If you're also having your braces tightened today, expect to be uncomfortable for a few days.  Take Tylenol, as previously recommended.  For some people, Ibuprofen does work better.  I was always partial to a combination of the two.

Let me give you one word of caution.  The orthodontist will encourage you, probably, to wear them as tightly as you can take them.  This is well-intended advice that should be ignored if you get it.  Buy an appliance to keep you from grinding your teeth at night (because the bands tend to encourage your jaws to close) and wear them at regular tension.  I followed my O's advice and developed TMJ syndrome I've been carrying around now for almost 30 years, and it didn't even achieve the objective of hastening my treatment.  I wore braces for four years.  

My TMJ is probably arthritis at this point.  You do not want this happening to you.

Answer 4

It's more of a bad ache than really hurting.  Load up on tylenol or advil about an hour before you go and then every four hours afterwards for a day and you'll be fine.

Answer 5

The bands themselves do not hurt. They pull alittle bit so they will be alittle uncomfortable at first.