What to do if your spacers are hurting?
Avoid chewing gum or other sticky foods which can stick to the spacers and pull them out. Avoid tough or crispy foods. Cold drinks or ice cream may help to temporarily alleviate any discomfort. Pain reliever such as Tylenol or Advil can provide relief for the pain if needed.
Can you bite down on spacers?
You may eat normally with the separators in, but we do recommend avoiding chewing gum and very sticky foods, like chewey/sticky candy (caramel, taffy, tootsie rolls, gummy bears, Snickers bars, and any other sticky candy), as they may make your separators fall out prematurely.
When does spacers pain go away?
Generally, this discomfort of spacers will fade as your teeth get used to the feeling of the spacers. Your teeth should stop hurting after 2-3 days, but you might still feel the pressure of the orthodontic separators throughout the time they are between your teeth.
How do you get a spacer out of your mouth?
Slide the floss between the teeth where the separator has come out. Pull the separator in between the two teeth. Keep a finger on top of the newly placed separator. Gently pull one end of a doubled back piece of floss out of the mouth.
Why do my spacers hurt so bad?
If the patient has a relatively small amount of space between their molars (or none at all), then the spacer may irritate the nerves in the gum of the mouth, causing constant pain. In some cases the spacer digs into the gums, causing bleeding and swelling; and would be more uncomfortable than the actual braces.
Is it bad if your spacers fall out?
What if My Spacers Fall Out? As the spacer completes its purpose, it may become loose and fall out on its own. If it happens less than two days before your next appointment, there is no need to worry unless you have been given other instructions. Even if you swallow the spacer, there is no reason to be concerned.
How bad should spacers hurt?
For people with relatively small or no space between their teeth, braces spacers can cause irritation in the nerves which may result in constant, but bearable pain. For some people, they may not hurt when initially applied but may start to ache after a while.
Can you take a spacer out?
How spacers are removed. The removal of spacers is a fairly simple process that shouldn’t take very long. Your orthodontist basically just pops them out of place with a small tool. If the spacers have done their job of making space, they should come out fairly easily.
Why do my teeth hurt so bad with spacers?
There are various reactions patients experience to having spacers placed between their teeth. If the patient has a relatively small amount of space between their molars (or none at all), then the spacer may irritate the nerves in the gum of the mouth, causing constant pain.
What happens if your spacers come out?
It is important if a spacer does come out after the first few days of placement to have it replaced. Typically, if it comes out the night before your banding visit, it is not a concern. If a spacer is out more than 48 hours, then it can cause a problem fitting the bands.
When do you remove spacers do you feel pain?
You don’t feel any pain when spacers are removed. In fact, you feel no or least pain on the last day of spacers. After opening up space, the separators sometimes get loose or come off on their own. So, you feel no pressure from them.
Do you feel more pain with spacers than braces?
Usually, spacers don’t hurt more than braces as it puts pressure on a small number of teeth. You can only experience irritation and slight pain. However, it varies from person to person. When separators are applied in between teeth that are in tight contact, you feel more pain.
What happens to your teeth when you get a spacer?
In response to the pressure from the spacers, teeth move slightly, making room for the orthodontic bands that wrap around the back teeth to support the braces. Some people who get spacers feel like there is food trapped between their teeth for a few hours. Others experience pain or soreness, especially the day after getting their spacers.
What can I take for pain in my spacers?
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Follow the dosage instructions on your bottle until your pain reaches acceptable levels. Eat softer foods. If you experience soreness or pain from your spacers, chewing can be a chore.
