do braces hurt as much as anyone says they do?

No.....I wouldn't worry about it. I had my braces and expander at separate times and with both you feel it the most the first time they are tightened. The first time you get the braces tightened, your mouth will be pretty uncomfortable for the first day.But not a big deal. Its not that bad. Whenever you get them tightened other times, you do feel some pressure for a couple hrs, but you learn to ignore it after awhile then it doesn't bother you at all. The most you feel as time goes on is when the brackets rub on the inside of your mouth, but you use the wax the orthodontist gives you. Hope I helped.

Well Each time your braces are tightened, its pretty uncomfortable, but not terrible for a few days then your teeth get used to it. The most uncomfortable thing is that the braces rub on your gums and that tends to hurt. They give you wax to cover them up. Your gums will get used to it in about 2 weeks

I remember having them very clearly. For the first few days, I could only eat very soft stuff.. like the inside of a biscuit hardly.. and potatoes and gravy I could manage.. nothing that really calls for chewing. Its just a really really sore feeling. Nothing to be afraid of though. Only be afraid of the glue/cement when you get them off.. make sure your othro removes it all.. I had to tell mine on several incidents that I could feel more on my teeth that still needed to be cleaned. But no, they aren't bad at all. I wish I had gotten invisilign instead though, but did not know that it existed then. Then no cement is involved, or harsh popping when they pop the brackets off your teeth when its time to get them off. Which I think is the reason why I have small craze lines in my front teeth now. You may want to consider invisilign though it's much more expensive!

I have had braces for 2 years now and they don't hurt at all. However, on the first few days to a week your teeth might feel slightly uncomfortable and sore. However, this is natural. Don't worry. (:

when the braces are first installed they will be a little uncomfortable, like having something stuck in your teeth. more annoying than anything.

It goes away as you get used to it. It is not sharp pain but it aches a little- advil helps. I also talked funny for a few days.

can't speak to an expander.

When the wires are adjusted your teeth will ache for a day, then you adopt.

It takes a while for your teeth to move and they will be a little loose - the results are spectacular!

If you're taking painkiller (ibuprofen is your best bet) then it only hurts when you bite down. Forget to take it and you're screwed. After a while, though, the pain eases and you'll be capable of eating regularly without pain. Having them tightened later on will make you want painkiller, but it won't be terrible.

They only hurt when they tighten them every month. This is just a small soreness that last for 2-3 days, so it's nothing to worry about.

They don't hurt, but you'll have trouble eating for a few days, especially with the pallet-expander. Good luck!

For about a week it hurts to eat anything, but after that they don't hurt unless you get hit in the mouth.

no, they do not hurt that much. at first your mouth will be sore but that's about as bad as it can get.

if you get springs then it can hurt a little more, but only for the first week until your cheek gets used to it there.