It’s the question every child asks before getting braces, usually with wide eyes and genuine concern: “Is it going to hurt?” And it’s the question parents wonder silently while trying to project calm confidence their child can borrow. The internet offers conflicting answers. Friends share horror stories or reassurances that may or may not reflect typical experiences. What you really want is honest information from someone who sees this every day.
Here’s the straightforward answer: braces involve some discomfort, but it’s generally milder than people expect, temporary, and completely manageable. The experience has improved dramatically from what previous generations endured. Modern brackets are smaller, wires gentler, and techniques more refined. Most kids adjust faster than they anticipated and look back on the process as far easier than they feared.
At McClaran Orthodontics, we believe honest preparation beats false promises or unnecessary alarm. When kids know what to actually expect, they handle treatment better than when they’re surprised by sensations no one mentioned. This guide covers what really happens at each stage so your child can approach braces informed rather than anxious.
Does Getting Braces Put On Hurt?
The appointment to place braces takes one to two hours, and parents often assume this extended time means extended discomfort. In reality, the placement process itself isn’t painful at all.
The orthodontist starts by cleaning and preparing each tooth to receive a bracket. This involves no drilling or shots. A special conditioner is applied to help the adhesive bond, then rinsed away. The brackets are positioned one by one, each secured with dental adhesive that’s hardened with a curing light. Once all brackets are placed, the wire threads through them and is secured with small elastic bands or clips.
During this process, your child lies back with their mouth open, which can get tiring. A lip retractor holds the cheeks and lips away from teeth, which feels strange but doesn’t hurt. The taste of the bonding materials is unusual. But actual pain? No. Kids sometimes expect placement to be the worst part and are surprised when it’s essentially comfortable.
The orthodontist makes adjustments, checks that everything is positioned correctly, and provides instructions for care. Your child walks out with a new smile already in progress, feeling the bulk of the brackets against their lips and cheeks but not experiencing pain.
What comes next is different. Within a few hours of placement, teeth begin responding to the pressure the wire applies. This is when discomfort arrives.
What to Expect in the First Week
The braces pain first week is real, and preparing your child helps them cope better than being caught off guard.
Tooth soreness begins within hours of placement and typically peaks around day two or three. The sensation is often described as aching or pressure, similar to the feeling after a tough workout when muscles are sore. Teeth feel tender, especially when biting down. Foods that normally require no thought suddenly demand attention. Your child may wonder if something is wrong. Reassure them this response is normal and actually indicates the braces are working.
The soreness happens because teeth are beginning to move through bone. Braces apply constant gentle pressure, and the biological response involves inflammation and remodeling of the bone surrounding tooth roots. This process is how orthodontic treatment works, but it creates sensitivity during the adjustment period.
Beyond tooth soreness, the cheeks, lips, and tongue need time to adapt to the brackets’ presence. These soft tissues have never encountered metal hardware inside the mouth before. Some irritation is normal as they toughen up. Small sore spots may develop where brackets rub against cheeks. The tongue may feel scraped from exploring the new landscape.
Orthodontic wax helps tremendously during this adaptation period. The soft wax is pressed over brackets that irritate, creating a smooth barrier that prevents rubbing. Most orthodontic practices provide wax at the placement appointment, and it’s available at any pharmacy. Encourage your child to use it liberally rather than toughing out unnecessary discomfort.
Eating feels challenging during the first week. Biting into anything with front teeth hurts. Chewing applies pressure that sore teeth don’t appreciate. Soft foods become essential: yogurt, mashed potatoes, smoothies, scrambled eggs, soup, pasta. Hard or crunchy foods should wait until soreness subsides.
The good news is that this initial period is the most intense. By day five or six, most kids report significant improvement. By the end of week two, many say they barely notice the braces during normal activities. The mouth adapts faster than expected.
Why Do Braces Hurt After Adjustments?
Throughout treatment, your child returns to the orthodontist every six to eight weeks for adjustments. At these appointments, the orthodontist evaluates progress, changes wires, and modifies the mechanics guiding tooth movement. Each adjustment essentially reactivates the system, and some soreness follows.
The pattern resembles the initial placement experience but typically milder. Teeth that had grown comfortable with their current position are asked to move again. The biological response repeats on a smaller scale. Soreness peaks a day or two after adjustment and fades within a few days.
Early adjustments tend to cause more discomfort than later ones. In the beginning, teeth are moving from significantly misaligned positions. Larger movements create more response. As treatment progresses and teeth approach their final positions, movements become smaller and more refined. Many patients notice that later adjustments barely register compared to early ones.
Wire changes also affect post-adjustment soreness. Treatment typically progresses through a series of wires, starting with thin, flexible wires that apply gentle forces and advancing to thicker, stiffer wires as teeth become better aligned. When the orthodontist switches to a firmer wire, that adjustment may cause more soreness than a routine check with the same wire.
Understanding this pattern helps kids and parents maintain perspective. Post-adjustment soreness isn’t a sign of problems. It’s evidence that treatment continues progressing. The discomfort is temporary and manageable, just like the first week was.
Comparing Discomfort Across Treatment Stages
| Treatment Stage | Discomfort Level | Duration | What Helps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Placement appointment | Minimal; no pain during procedure | N/A | N/A |
| First 24-48 hours | Moderate to significant soreness | 2-5 days | Soft foods, pain relievers, patience |
| First week adaptation | Moderate tooth soreness plus cheek/lip irritation | 5-7 days | Orthodontic wax, salt water rinse, soft foods |
| Routine adjustments | Mild to moderate soreness | 1-3 days | Pain relievers if needed, soft foods first day |
| Wire upgrades | Moderate soreness | 2-4 days | Same as adjustments |
| Rubber bands added | Jaw soreness, tooth soreness | A few days to adapt | Consistent wear helps adaptation |
| Final months | Minimal; small refinements | Brief if any | Usually none needed |
| Removal appointment | None; relief and excitement | N/A | N/A |
This timeline helps set realistic expectations. The first week is hardest. Everything after that is manageable for the vast majority of patients.
How to Manage Braces Discomfort
Preparation and simple strategies make discomfort much more manageable.
Over-the-counter pain relievers work well for braces soreness. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) taken according to package directions can significantly reduce discomfort. Some orthodontists recommend taking a dose before the placement appointment so medication is already working as soreness begins. Taking pain relievers proactively before adjustments can similarly ease the transition.
Research published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics has examined various pain management approaches for orthodontic discomfort. Studies consistently find that over-the-counter analgesics effectively reduce soreness, with ibuprofen often showing particular effectiveness due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Orthodontic wax deserves emphasis because it helps so much with soft tissue irritation. The wax comes in small containers and is pinched off in small pieces, rolled between fingers to soften, and pressed over any bracket causing irritation. It creates a smooth surface that prevents rubbing. Wax can be swallowed safely if it comes off, so there’s no danger in using it liberally.
Soft foods should stock your kitchen before placement day. Think about foods that require minimal chewing: applesauce, pudding, yogurt, smoothies, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, scrambled eggs, soup, oatmeal, soft bread, bananas, and protein shakes. Having appealing options available helps kids eat adequately even when chewing feels uncomfortable.
Cold foods and drinks can soothe sore mouths. Ice cream, frozen yogurt, cold smoothies, and ice water provide numbing relief. The first few days after braces are a socially acceptable excuse for extra frozen treats.
Salt water rinses help heal any sore spots inside the mouth. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water and swish gently. The salt promotes healing and keeps irritated areas clean. Rinse a few times daily, especially after meals.
Patience matters most. Discomfort is temporary. Reminding your child that the soreness will fade within days helps them push through the hardest period. Each day gets easier.
Are Modern Braces Less Painful?
Yes, and the difference is substantial compared to what parents may remember from their own experiences.
Bracket design has evolved significantly. Modern brackets are smaller, lower profile, and have smoother edges than older designs. Less bulk means less irritation against cheeks and lips. Smoother surfaces reduce the abrasion that caused so much soft tissue trauma in previous generations.
Wire technology has advanced dramatically. Contemporary orthodontic wires are made from nickel-titanium alloys that apply gentle, consistent forces rather than the heavy forces of older stainless steel wires. These heat-activated wires respond to mouth temperature, becoming more flexible and delivering more comfortable pressure. The biological response to gentle force is less inflammatory than the response to heavy force, translating directly to reduced soreness.
Treatment mechanics have become more sophisticated. Orthodontists today have better understanding of how to move teeth efficiently with minimal discomfort. Techniques that cause unnecessary pain have been replaced with approaches that achieve similar results more comfortably.
The American Association of Orthodontists notes that advances in orthodontic materials and techniques have made treatment more comfortable than ever. Parents who had braces in the 1980s or 1990s should know that their child’s experience will likely be noticeably easier than what they remember.
This doesn’t mean braces are painless now. Some discomfort remains inherent to moving teeth through bone. But the intensity and duration of that discomfort have decreased meaningfully. Kids today genuinely have it easier than their parents did.
Helping Your Child Through the Adjustment
Beyond physical management, emotional support helps kids handle the braces experience.
Validate their feelings without catastrophizing. When your child says their teeth hurt, acknowledge it. Dismissing their discomfort with “it’s not that bad” doesn’t help and may make them feel unheard. Instead, try “I know it’s sore right now. Let’s get some ibuprofen and find something soft for dinner. It should feel better in a couple days.”
Normalize the experience. Most kids know peers who have or had braces. Pointing out that millions of kids go through this every year, that friends have managed fine, and that the discomfort everyone experiences is temporary helps put things in perspective.
Distract during the hardest days. The first few days after placement or a tough adjustment are good times for favorite movies, video games, or other absorbing activities. Keeping the mind occupied helps time pass faster and reduces focus on discomfort.
Celebrate milestones. Note when the first week ends and things have improved. Acknowledge halfway points in treatment. Plan something special for the day braces come off. Having markers to look forward to helps kids maintain motivation through the months of treatment.
Model calm confidence. Your child watches how you respond to their complaints. If you seem worried or distressed about their discomfort, they’ll amplify their own concern. Calm, matter-of-fact support helps them regulate their own response.
At McClaran Orthodontics, we check in with patients about comfort at every appointment. If something seems to be causing unusual discomfort, we want to know. Most soreness is normal and expected, but occasionally an adjustment is needed to address a specific irritation. Open communication helps us keep your child as comfortable as possible throughout treatment.
When to Call the Orthodontist
Normal braces discomfort doesn’t require calling the office. But certain situations warrant contact.
A wire poking into the cheek or gum causes sharp, persistent pain that wax may not fully resolve. We can clip the wire or adjust it to eliminate the problem. Don’t suffer through constant poking when a quick appointment provides relief.
A bracket that has come loose may irritate the mouth or slow treatment progress. While not an emergency, it should be addressed reasonably soon. Call to schedule a repair appointment.
Severe pain that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter pain relievers and soft diet is unusual and worth mentioning. While some soreness is expected, extreme pain suggests something may need attention.
Signs of infection, including significant swelling, pus, fever, or worsening rather than improving pain after several days, require prompt attention. These are rare but shouldn’t be ignored.
Allergic reactions, while uncommon, occasionally occur with orthodontic materials. Unusual rashes, swelling beyond normal, or other concerning symptoms should be reported.
When in doubt, call. We’d rather hear about a concern that turns out to be normal than have a patient suffer unnecessarily with something we could easily fix.
Frequently Asked Questions About Braces Pain
Do braces hurt when you get them on?
The placement appointment itself isn’t painful. No shots, no drilling. Your child will have their mouth open for an extended time, which can get tiring, but the actual process of attaching brackets and wires doesn’t hurt. Soreness develops over the following hours as teeth begin responding to the pressure.
How long do braces hurt after you get them?
The most intense soreness typically lasts three to five days after initial placement, with significant improvement by day five or six and near-normal comfort by the end of the second week. Post-adjustment soreness is usually milder, lasting one to three days.
What hurts more, top or bottom braces?
Experience varies by individual, but many patients report that lower braces feel more uncomfortable initially. The lower jaw moves more during speaking and eating, which may increase awareness of the braces. Additionally, the tongue contacts lower braces more frequently than upper ones, potentially causing more irritation.
Can I go to school or work the day I get braces?
Yes. While you may feel some soreness developing by afternoon, there’s no medical reason to miss school or work on placement day. Some families prefer scheduling placement before a weekend to allow adjustment time at home, but it’s not necessary.
Do braces hurt more than Invisalign?
Both involve some discomfort because both move teeth. Many patients report that Invisalign feels more comfortable overall because there are no brackets to irritate cheeks and lips. However, aligner changes can cause pressure and soreness similar to braces adjustments. Neither option is painless, but both are manageable.
A Manageable Path to a Great Smile
Do braces hurt? A little, temporarily, and far less than most kids fear. The discomfort of the first week fades quickly. Adjustment soreness becomes routine and brief. By the time treatment ends, most patients look back on the experience as entirely manageable.
The result is worth the temporary inconvenience. A healthy, beautiful smile lasts a lifetime. The months of braces become a small price paid for years of confidence.
At McClaran Orthodontics, we help kids through this process every day. Dr. McClaran explains what to expect honestly, and our team supports patients through every stage. We serve families throughout Nolensville, Franklin, Brentwood, and the greater Nashville area.
If your child needs braces and you want honest guidance about what to expect, schedule a complimentary consultation. We’ll answer every question and help you feel confident about the path ahead.