It’s weird how pain can show up in places you wouldn’t expect with braces.
You nailed it. I kept getting this odd pressure in my temples after adjustments, which made zero sense to me at first. It’s reassuring to hear others have the same random symptoms. I get what you mean about calling the office too—sometimes just talking it through helped me relax, even if it turned out to be nothing major. Cold packs and ice cream were my go-to as well... maybe we all just need an excuse sometimes. Hang in there—it really does get easier over time.
I totally get the comfort in hearing others have the same weird symptoms, but honestly, I still worry a bit when pain pops up somewhere unexpected. Like, pressure in my ears or even jaw aches that last longer than I thought they should. I know people say it gets easier, but for me, every adjustment feels different and sometimes worse. Cold packs help, but sometimes I just wish the office would take things a bit more seriously when I call—maybe I’m just overthinking it, but I can’t help it.
but for me, every adjustment feels different and sometimes worse.
I know what you mean, but I actually think it’s not just overthinking. My first adjustment, I got this weird tingling in my cheekbone and thought for sure something was wrong. The office kind of brushed it off, but I ended up googling like crazy. I wish they’d take those calls more seriously too—sometimes it feels like they forget we don’t all know what’s “normal” pain.
I wish they’d take those calls more seriously too—sometimes it feels like they forget we don’t all know what’s “normal” pain.
That’s exactly it. I swear, after my second tightening, I spent a whole afternoon convinced my nose was about to fall off. Not even kidding, my front teeth ached so much the pain seemed to crawl right up into my sinuses. Called the office, and the receptionist just goes, “Oh that’s pretty common, just take Tylenol.” I mean... how am I supposed to know that? This is my first rodeo with braces in almost 60 years.
What gets me is how every adjustment feels like a new adventure. Sometimes it’s a dull ache, sometimes it’s like a lightning bolt to the jaw. Once, I had this numb patch on my chin for days—thought maybe I’d drooled soup on myself at lunch and not noticed. Turns out, nerves just get cranky when you start moving teeth around at my age.
I do think they get a bit desensitized at the office. For them, it’s all routine, but for us? It’s like trying to solve a mystery every time something tingles or throbs in a new spot. My neighbor down the hall tried to tell me it was “phantom tooth pain”—whatever that means. She also recommended bourbon, but that’s another story.
Anyway, you’re not alone with the weird pains. Half the time I feel like I’m auditioning for a dental horror movie. The other half, I’m just happy if I can eat toast without wincing.
That “phantom tooth pain” thing cracks me up—like, is my mouth haunted now or what? After my last tightening, I legit felt like my upper teeth were zapping my eyeballs. Is that even possible? Also, why does soup suddenly feel like it’s made of lava?
