Braces are one of the most effective treatments for dental problems. When you wear braces to correct your overbite, you may wonder what happens to your lips. That's a good idea because most people think their lips look thinner after getting braces.
The way braces affect the lips
There is a noticeable effect of braces on your lips, which may seem like a significant change at first. Over time, your mouth will certainly get used to braces and it will no longer be obvious that you are wearing braces. With a small mouth and crowds, the adjustment period may be longer. The most important thing is that all the inconvenience you experience along the way will be worth it at the end of your trip.
In addition to braces affecting your lips from the inside, braces also affect your teeth. Suddenly there will be dense material in your mouth, where before there was only gums and teeth. Most of the discomfort occurs around the cheeks and behind the lower and upper lips. Also, the outer part of your lips will stretch a little during the adjustment period. It is important to go through this process so that your body can adapt to the new occupant of your oral cavity.
Do your lips become thinner after braces?
The lips do not become thinner, but they may appear thinner when the brace is removed. Depending on the type of braces your orthodontist used, the changes may or may not be pronounced. So don't worry about a direct effect on the size of your lips. Additionally, some patients will feel very different after brace removal – some describe it as smooth and others miss it!
Therefore, if you are ready for braces, contact your orthodontist for a consultation or your first appointment.
FAQs
Your lips may look bigger temporarily since braces can push your lips out. However, your lips won't actually be bigger or fuller. Will my lips get smaller when my braces are removed? Your lips will remain the same size, but they may appear smaller since they aren't pushed out and forward by braces.
Do your lips get thinner after braces? ›
So, Braces do not physically affect the size or contour of your lips.
What happens to your lips when you take your braces off? ›
Calluses – To better accommodate your braces and to keep the inside of your mouth protected, you'll notice that you may have formed calluses on the inside of your lips. These will go away over time, but it might seem strange at first.
Do braces make my mouth smaller? ›
The opening of the mouth is the responsibility of the muscles of the face, so braces can't really do anything to those. However, Braces widen your smile and mouth by expanding the arrangement base of the teeth, making your mouth “seem” wider, although not physically so.
Will braces cut my lips? ›
If you sustain any force to the face, cheeks or lips can get stuck in the braces, causing painful bruising or cuts. Soft tissue damage typically heals in a timely manner on its own. However, cold compresses and pain relieving medication can help ease you through the healing process.
Do braces change your face shape? ›
Yes, braces can change your jawline, your chin, the shape of your mouth, and even your lips. However, these effects are secondary to the actual reforming of your teeth and bite. Braces can tighten your jawline and your teeth, but this happens over time and imperceptibly.
Do braces make your lips puffy? ›
There are a few reasons lip swelling or irritation may happen due to braces. Generally, this is caused by the braces rubbing against the lip or inside of the cheeks. Your mouth reacts by getting swollen, inflamed, red, and/or tender.
Do braces change your lip shape? ›
Yes. Braces can change the position of your lips. It is because wearing braces has a direct impact on the teeth immediately behind the lips. Braces have nothing to do with the fullness or the shape of the lips, which will remain the same.
Why do my lips look different after braces? ›
After getting braces or other forms of orthodontic treatment, you might notice that your lips look fuller than before. This is because the prominence or fullness of the lips is directly affected by the forward position and alignment of the front teeth.
How much do braces hurt on a scale of 1 to 10? ›
Getting braces is a breeze, ranking at a mere 1 on the pain scale for I'd say 80% of people in Austin. Some patients are unusually sensitive to pain. The process might be unfamiliar, but it's not deeply painful. The gum inflammation (or mucosa) is normal from having braces.
Although brace require some adaptation, for sure, they will not affect your singing voice. After correcting your teeth, your voice will get even better. Singing is usually affected by the vocal cords, so if the vocal cords are healthy, then you shouldn't have to worry.
What changes in your face after braces? ›
After braces, the upper jaw will be brought out, the lower jaw will go back in, making the face change significantly, the nose will look higher, the lower jaw will be slimmer, the angle of the nose and lips is not blunt but becomes more pointed.
Why does my smile look weird after braces? ›
Mid-Line Discrepancy After Orthodontic Treatment
One possibility after treatment is that your teeth won't end up completely aligned and don't remain well-centered when you smile. This is a case of a mid-line discrepancy.
Will my lips look the same after braces? ›
Do Braces Change Your Lips and Make Them Look Bigger? Yes, braces can change the position of your lips, but only as much as the teeth immediately behind them change. It has nothing to do with braces changing your lips as far as fullness or shape.
Can braces cut you while kissing? ›
Be careful. You don't want to cut or catch your partner, and you don't want to bump your teeth. Make sure that you and your partner keep your tongues away from your braces. Like lips, the tongue can be cut or caught by your dental appliance, and that will definitely ruin the moment.
Can you put vaseline on braces? ›
A little. For a few days after you first get a brace, and for a few days after each adjustment, your mouth may feel a bit sore. But nothing that a pain relief tablet can't handle. If a wire or bracket is rubbing, smearing on some Vaseline or wax should ease it.
Can braces change the shape of my lips? ›
Braces have nothing to do with the fullness or the shape of the lips, which will remain the same. If you suffer from an underbite, the orthodontist will bring the upper and lower front teeth into proper alignment. It can form the appearance of a plumper upper lip.
