The night before getting braces, most people do the same thing. They search “do braces hurt” and end up reading forum posts that range from “felt nothing” to “worst week of my life”. Neither helps much.
Here is the version based on research and on what orthodontists see every week. Getting braces put on does not hurt. The soreness comes a few hours later, peaks around the next day, and fades over about a week. This guide walks through that week day by day, explains why it happens, and lists what actually helps.
Do Braces Hurt When They Are Put On?
No. The brackets are glued to the surface of the teeth, so there is no injection and no drilling. The appointment usually takes one to two hours. The most uncomfortable part for most people is keeping the mouth open for that long.
If your treatment uses metal bands around the back teeth, fitting them can feel like firm pressure or a pinch for a moment. Some patients also get small rubber separators between the back teeth a few days earlier to make room for the bands. Separators often cause their own short spell of soreness.
Why Teeth Feel Sore
Once the wire is tied in, it starts pressing on the teeth. Teeth sit in bone, held by a thin ligament. When that ligament is squeezed on one side, the body sets off a mild inflammatory response that remodels the bone so the tooth can move. That same inflammation is what you feel as a dull ache and tenderness when biting.
So the soreness is not a sign that something is wrong. It is a sign that the braces have started working.
It is also very common. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 16 randomised trials on orthodontic pain cites research in which 91% of patients with fixed braces reported pain at some stage of treatment.
The First Week, Day by Day
Studies on orthodontic pain show that it peaks about one day after the wire is placed and then eases gradually over the following seven days. Here is how that usually feels in practice:
| When | What most people feel |
|---|---|
| Day 0 (fitting day) | Little or no pain at the clinic. A pressure feeling starts within a few hours. Cheeks and lips feel the brackets for the first time. |
| Day 1 to 2 | The peak. Teeth feel tender, biting is uncomfortable and chewing feels like hard work. |
| Day 3 to 4 | Soreness starts easing. Small sore spots on the inside of the cheeks may show up where brackets rub. |
| Day 5 to 7 | For most people the ache has faded a lot. Soft foods are easy again and you start getting used to the braces. |
Most people adjust to the feel of braces within about a month.
How to Relieve Braces Pain
Use orthodontic wax on rubbing brackets
Roll a small piece of wax and press it over the bracket that is rubbing your cheek. It gives the sore spot a few days to heal.
Try something cold
Cold water or a cold drink can soothe tender gums. Avoid ice cubes, which can break brackets.
Rinse with warm salt water
A gentle rinse helps keep small cheek sores clean while they heal.
Ask before taking painkillers
Over-the-counter painkillers are commonly used for the first day or two. That review notes that ibuprofen, aspirin and paracetamol may interfere with the inflammation that moves teeth, so ask your orthodontist which medicine and dose suit you instead of choosing on your own.
You may also read that chewing gum helps. The same review pooled trials and found chewing gum reduced pain 24 hours after the wire was placed, though the authors rated the certainty of that evidence as very low. Many orthodontists still tell patients to avoid gum because it can stick to brackets, so check with yours first.
What to Eat in the First Week
For the first few days, pick foods you can eat without much chewing. A Bengali kitchen makes this easy.
Easy on sore teeth
- Khichuri, dal and soft rice
- Curd, mishti doi and smoothies
- Idli, upma and soft rotis torn small
- Boiled eggs, soft fish without bones
- Mashed potato, soups and stews
Avoid for now (and mostly always)
- Hard sweets, chikki and nuts
- Chips, papad and hard toast
- Sticky toffee and chewing gum
- Corn on the cob and whole apples
- Ice cubes and chewing on pens
Once the soreness settles, you can go back to most normal meals. Cut hard fruits and rotis into small pieces and chew with your back teeth.
Pain After Adjustments
Every few weeks your orthodontist changes or tightens the wire. That restarts the same process on a smaller scale. Most patients find adjustment soreness lasts a few days and feels milder than the first week. The review cited above notes that more than 30% of patients report some pain at each stage, so plan a soft dinner on adjustment day.
Your bracket choice does not change this much. Our guide on self-ligating braces explains why trials found no clinically meaningful pain difference between bracket types, and ceramic braces feel much the same as metal.
If you would rather avoid brackets altogether, removable clear aligners also cause pressure when you switch to a new tray, but they have no wires or brackets to rub your cheeks.
When to Call Your Orthodontist
Normal soreness gets better day by day. Call the clinic instead of waiting for your next appointment if:
- A wire end is poking into your cheek and wax does not help
- A bracket or band has come loose or out of place
- Pain is getting worse after the first few days instead of better
- One tooth is much more painful than the rest
- A mouth sore is getting bigger or is not healing
Our orthodontic team can usually fix a poking wire or loose bracket in a short visit. You can see all our brace and aligner options on the orthodontic treatment page, and our main clinic site has more daily braces care tips.
References
- Effect of chewing gum on orthodontic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (PROSPERO CRD42019141501). PubMed Central.
- Healthline. Do Braces Hurt? Medically reviewed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do braces hurt after they are put on?
For most people, soreness starts within a few hours, peaks around the first day and fades over about a week. Some people still feel mild discomfort after a week, which is not unusual.
Does getting braces put on hurt?
No. The brackets are glued to the teeth without injections or drilling. You may feel pressure if metal bands are fitted around the back teeth.
Which day of braces pain is the worst?
Research shows pain usually peaks around one day after the wire is placed. Many patients describe days one and two as the hardest, with steady improvement after that.
Can I take a painkiller for braces pain?
Painkillers are commonly used for a day or two, but ask your orthodontist which one and how much. Some research suggests common painkillers may interfere with the process that moves teeth.
Do braces hurt every time they are tightened?
Usually there is some soreness for a few days after an adjustment, but most people find it milder than the first week.
What can I eat on the first day of braces?
Choose soft foods such as khichuri, dal and rice, curd, mishti doi, soup, mashed potato and soft fish. Avoid hard, crunchy and sticky foods.
Also Read
Planning to Start Braces?
Book an orthodontic consultation at any Teeth Care branch in Kolkata. We will explain your treatment, what the first week feels like and how to make it easier.
Book an AppointmentCall +91 98315 26251Available at our Chinar Park, New Town, Ballygunge, Dunlop and Charnock branches. This article is for general information and does not replace a clinical examination.