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Braces are an important step toward a healthier smile, but they can come with some soreness, especially early on.
Whether you're just starting orthodontic treatment or heading in for a routine adjustment, it helps to know what kind of discomfort is typical and how to manage it.
Braces work by gently moving your teeth into better positions. That process naturally puts pressure on your teeth and gums, which can lead to mild to moderate pain or tenderness. But the good news is that discomfort has a clear beginning, middle, and end.
You’ll likely start to feel soreness a few hours after your braces are placed or tightened. It usually peaks by the second day and eases off by the end of the week. Most people describe it as a dull ache or pressure, not sharp or stabbing pain.
That tenderness means your braces are doing their job. It’s a sign that your teeth are responding to the steady force applied by the archwires and brackets. Knowing this can help you stay calm and better prepared.
Discomfort may come and go with each visit, but it won’t last the whole time you’re in treatment. Each round of soreness tends to get easier, and there are simple ways to feel better quickly.
If you’re especially sensitive, clear aligners may cause less pain in the first week than metal braces. And no matter which option you use, the pain you expect to feel often shapes how strong it actually feels.
The pattern of pain after braces is pretty consistent, whether you’re just getting started or going in for a routine adjustment. Here’s how it usually plays out.
After your braces are first placed, pain usually begins 4 to 6 hours later. It peaks between 24 and 48 hours and slowly fades by Day 5 to 7. You may feel pressure when chewing, biting, or brushing.
The first couple of nights might be the most uncomfortable. Eating soft foods, using cold compresses, and taking the right pain reliever can help ease this phase.
If pain lasts longer than a week or worsens after the second day, we strongly recommend calling your orthodontist.
Adjustment visits are typically scheduled every 4 to 10 weeks, depending on your treatment plan, to keep your teeth moving. This reactivates the pressure and often brings a milder wave of soreness.
Most people feel discomfort within a few hours of the adjustment. It tends to peak the next day and go away in 2 to 3 days.
Because your soft tissues toughen over time, the later visits usually feel easier. However, call for guidance if pain isn’t easing after Day 3 post-tightening.
Braces work by applying steady pressure to your teeth, which sets off a natural biological response. That process is what moves your teeth, and it’s also what causes the aching you might feel.
The pressure from your braces affects the ligaments that cushion each tooth. These ligaments respond by triggering inflammation, which allows the surrounding bone to adjust and remodel. The same chemical messengers that help move your teeth also make nearby nerves more sensitive, creating that familiar dull ache.
You may also notice sore spots where brackets or wires rub against the inside of your mouth. That kind of irritation feels different—more like a raw patch or scratch than deep pressure.
Certain add-ons, like rubber bands or expanders, apply extra force, which can restart the soreness cycle.
Each of these tools typically causes soreness that peaks in a day or two and fades within the week. Wearing them exactly as prescribed helps your mouth adjust faster.
A few simple tools can make a big difference. Use this mix of medicine, home care, and targeted relief to ease discomfort fast.
Here are the top ways to feel better right away:
Avoid giving aspirin to children or teenagers, and always follow the medication instructions carefully. It’s also a good idea to set a reminder to take your chosen pain reliever as advised.
Soft foods and gentle cleaning routines reduce soreness and help prevent irritation. These changes are especially helpful in the first 72 hours after getting braces or having them tightened.
Soft food ideas include:
Skip hard, sticky, or crunchy foods like popcorn, caramel, ice, and raw apples. Biting into these can damage your braces and make discomfort worse.
To clean around brackets and wires, use a soft-bristle brush and fluoride toothpaste after every meal. Thread floss under the archwire with a floss threader, or use an interproximal brush or water flosser to get between teeth.
While soreness is normal, some symptoms aren’t. Call your orthodontist right away if you notice:
These are signs of a problem, not just normal adjustment soreness. Remember to save your clinic’s after-hours number in your phone.
Clear aligners are often more comfortable during the first week than metal braces. Research shows that people using aligners report less pain on Days 1 and 3, and need fewer pain relievers overall.
That’s because aligners apply force more gradually and can be removed while eating and cleaning. Brackets and wires, on the other hand, stay in place full-time and can cause more friction early on.
However, aligners may cause temporary speech changes or dry mouth. Each option has trade-offs, so your orthodontist will help match the method to your needs. Ask which option fits your comfort goals and bite needs.
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