Starting your orthodontic journey at PretoriaSmile is an exciting step toward the confidence of a perfect smile. Whether you are opting for traditional braces, clear aligners, or Fastbraces®, you will likely experience some minor discomfort or “pressure” as your teeth begin to shift. While your first instinct might be to reach for a common anti-inflammatory from the pharmacy, that choice could actually be slowing down your progress.
At PretoriaSmile, we strive to make your treatment as efficient as possible. Here is the science behind why certain painkillers can act as a “brake” on your tooth movement and what you should use instead.
The Science of a Moving Smile
To understand why medication matters, you first have to know how teeth move. Orthodontics isn’t just about “pulling” teeth into place; it is a biological process called remodelling.
When braces apply pressure, they create a localised inflammatory response around the root of the tooth. This inflammation triggers specialised cells:
- Osteoclasts: These cells break down bone in the direction the tooth is moving.
- Osteoblasts: These cells build new bone behind the tooth to anchor it.
This inflammation is good—it is the engine that drives your transition to a straighter smile.
Why Avoid Anti-Inflammatories (NSAIDs)?
Common over-the-counter medications like Ibuprofen (Advil, Nurofen) and Aspirin belong to a class of drugs called NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs).
As the name suggests, these drugs work by blocking the chemicals in your body that cause inflammation. While this is great for a headache or a sprained ankle, it is counterproductive for braces. By “switching off” the inflammation, you are essentially telling the bone-remodelling cells to stop working.
The result? Your teeth move much more slowly, potentially extending your treatment time by weeks or even months.
The Better Alternative: Reach for Panado
If you are experiencing tenderness after an adjustment at our Queenswood or Pretoria East practice, we recommend using Paracetamol (commonly known as Panado).
Unlike NSAIDs, Panado works primarily on the central nervous system to block pain signals without significantly affecting the inflammatory process in the jawbone. This allows the biological “remodelling” to continue at full speed while keeping you comfortable.
Quick Tips for Managing Discomfort
- Stick to Panado: Use it as directed on the packaging to manage the initial pressure after an appointment.
- Cold Compress: Sip on ice-cold water or use a cold pack on the outside of your jaw to numb the area naturally.
- Saltwater Rinse: If your brackets are irritating your cheeks, a warm saltwater rinse can help heal small cuts without affecting tooth movement.
- Orthodontic Wax: Use the wax provided by our team to cover any sharp spots.
Your Smile, Your Timeline
At PretoriaSmile, our goal is to get you to your “reveal day” with the best possible results in the shortest timeframe. Choosing the right pain relief is a small decision that makes a big difference in your orthodontic success.
If you have questions about pain management or are ready to start your transformation, visit our Practice Information page or contact us at our Queenswood or Pretoria East branches today. Let’s keep those teeth moving!