Yes, braces can make your teeth sore after they are put on, but the discomfort is usually temporary. Your teeth may feel tight or tender, and chewing may be uncomfortable for a few days. Brackets and wires can also rub against your lips or cheeks. Soft foods and orthodontic wax may help. Contact your orthodontist if pain worsens, continues beyond a few days, or a wire or bracket breaks.
What Does It Feel Like When Braces Are First Put On?
Getting braces is generally a straightforward dental procedure, although the new appliance may feel strange at first. With fixed braces, small brackets are attached to the teeth, and a wire connects them to apply gentle pressure. The fitting itself is not usually the main source of discomfort. Soreness often develops later that day or over the following days as your teeth adjust to the pressure.
You may notice a feeling of tightness across your teeth, tenderness when biting, or discomfort when chewing. The brackets and wires can also feel bulky against the inside of your lips and cheeks. These sensations can take some getting used to, particularly during the first few days. According to the NHS guidance on braces, teeth may be sore for a few days after the braces are fitted, and eating softer foods can help during this period.
How Long Do Braces Hurt After They Are Put On?
For many people, the initial soreness begins to ease within a few days. Discomfort may be most noticeable during the first day or two, particularly when eating or putting pressure on the teeth. You may notice that your teeth feel less tender as your mouth becomes accustomed to the appliance. The American Association of Orthodontists explains in its guide to braces discomfort that the initial soreness commonly fades after a few days.
There is no single timeline that applies to everyone. The amount of discomfort depends partly on individual sensitivity and the orthodontic treatment being carried out. You might feel only slight pressure, while someone else may find chewing uncomfortable for several days. The important point is that the discomfort should gradually improve rather than continue getting worse.
Why Do Braces Make Your Teeth Sore?
Braces work by applying steady pressure to move teeth gradually into different positions. As your teeth respond to that pressure, you may notice tenderness or aching, especially when biting down. This sensation is part of the adjustment to orthodontic treatment. Braces do not need to cause constant pain to work, and strong or persistent pain should not simply be accepted as an unavoidable part of treatment.
The brackets and wires can also irritate the soft tissues inside your mouth. Your lips, cheeks, tongue, and gums may become sensitive where they touch the appliance. In some cases, repeated rubbing can cause a small sore. The Cleveland Clinic's information about braces describes temporary discomfort, irritation inside the mouth, and difficulty eating as possible side effects of orthodontic appliances.
How Can You Make Braces Hurt Less?
Several simple measures may make the first few days more comfortable. The goal is to reduce pressure on tender teeth and protect the inside of your mouth while you adjust to the braces.
Choose soft foods for the first few days
Eating may be uncomfortable when your teeth are tender. Choose foods that require less chewing until you can bite and chew more comfortably. Suitable options include yogurt, scrambled eggs, soup, oatmeal, mashed potatoes, soft pasta, and cooked vegetables. Cut food into small pieces and chew slowly instead of biting directly into hard foods.
Avoid hard, crunchy, and sticky foods that can increase discomfort or damage brackets and wires. Apples, raw carrots, hard sweets, and sticky toffees may need to be avoided or prepared differently while you wear fixed braces. Your orthodontist can explain which foods are appropriate for your particular appliance.
Use orthodontic wax if brackets rub your mouth
If a bracket or wire repeatedly rubs against your cheek or lip, orthodontic wax may help. Roll a small amount between clean fingers and gently place it over the area that is causing irritation, following your orthodontist's instructions. The wax creates a smoother surface and reduces direct contact with the sensitive tissue. If a wire is broken or sticking out, contact your orthodontist rather than trying to bend or repair it yourself.
Try a cold compress for temporary relief
A cold compress held against the outside of your cheek may help soothe discomfort. Wrap a cold pack in a clean cloth rather than applying ice directly to your skin. Use it for short periods and stop if it becomes uncomfortable. Cold drinks may also feel soothing for some people, provided they do not trigger additional tooth sensitivity.
Ask about suitable pain relief
If soreness interferes with eating or daily activities, ask your orthodontist, dentist, or pharmacist whether an over-the-counter pain medicine is appropriate for you. Follow the product instructions and do not exceed the recommended dose. The right choice depends on factors such as your age, other medicines, allergies, and health conditions. For a child or teenager, a parent or caregiver should check that the medicine and dose are suitable for the child's age and weight.
The Dorset County Hospital guidance for patients with fixed braces also recommends softer foods during the initial period and describes using orthodontic wax to reduce rubbing. If the measures you try do not help, ask your orthodontic team for advice instead of continuing to tolerate significant pain.
Will Braces Hurt Again After They Are Tightened?
You may experience soreness again after an adjustment appointment. During these visits, your orthodontist may change the wire or make other changes to continue guiding your teeth into position. The renewed pressure can make your teeth feel tender for a short time, even if you have become comfortable wearing braces.
The pattern is often similar to the first few days after fitting: your teeth may feel tight, biting may be uncomfortable, and softer foods may be easier to manage. The discomfort should generally settle over the following days. You can use the same comfort measures that helped when your braces were first fitted, following any specific instructions from your orthodontist.
Contact your orthodontist if the pain continues beyond a few days, becomes worse instead of improving, or is difficult to manage. Persistent discomfort is worth discussing because the orthodontic team can examine your braces and check whether anything needs attention.
When Should You Contact Your Orthodontist About Braces Pain?
Some tenderness is expected when braces are new, but you should not ignore pain that is unusually strong, persistent, or getting worse. Contact your orthodontist if you experience any of the following:
- Tooth pain that lasts longer than a few days after fitting or an adjustment.
- Pain that does not improve with the comfort measures or pain relief recommended for you.
- A loose bracket, broken wire, or wire that repeatedly pokes your cheek or gums.
- Gums that are very red, swollen, or painful.
- Bleeding, signs of infection, or an injury to your mouth or face while wearing braces.
The NHS advises contacting an orthodontist if teeth remain painful for more than a few days after fitting or adjustment, if the gums become very red, swollen, or painful, or if the braces break. The Cleveland Clinic also recommends contacting a healthcare professional about persistent pain, broken wires or brackets, mouth or facial injuries, and bleeding or infection in the gums.
If a wire or bracket is causing significant irritation, contact the orthodontic team for instructions on what to do until it can be checked or repaired. Do not cut wires or make changes to the appliance unless your orthodontist specifically directs you to do so. Seek urgent medical attention for difficulty breathing or swallowing or rapidly increasing swelling involving the mouth, face, or neck.
What Should You Expect During the First Week With Braces?
The first week is mainly a period of adjustment. Your teeth may feel tender, chewing may take more effort, and the brackets may feel unusual against your lips and cheeks. You may find it helpful to plan softer meals, keep orthodontic wax available, and follow your orthodontist's instructions for cleaning and caring for the appliance.
As the initial tenderness settles, everyday activities such as eating and speaking often become more comfortable. Keep brushing carefully with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning around the brackets as instructed. If discomfort is not improving, or if part of the appliance becomes damaged, contact your orthodontist rather than waiting for your next scheduled appointment.
Braces can cause temporary soreness after they are put on, but ongoing or worsening pain deserves attention. Knowing what to expect and how to protect your mouth can make the adjustment period easier while your orthodontic treatment progresses.