Short answer: In the first two or three days after getting braces, tooth soreness, a feeling of tightness and irritation of the cheek or lip are common. Soft foods are preferred and orthodontic wax is used for sharp spots. If a pain reliever is needed, your doctor should be consulted. If soreness lasts longer than a few days or a wire is poking, the clinic should be contacted.
In the first days after getting braces, it is very common to have tooth soreness, a mild feeling of tightness and discomfort related to the adjustment period inside the mouth. This shows that treatment has begun and the first forces have been applied to the teeth; it usually eases noticeably within a few days. Still, everyone's threshold is different; some patients feel almost nothing, while others may have difficulty eating in the first days. In this article we explain what to expect in the first week, how you can make daily life easier and in which situations you should contact your doctor. For general information about the process, you can also look at our article on how braces are placed.
Why does soreness occur after getting braces?
The cause of the soreness is that the light and continuous force the wire applies to the teeth produces a reaction in the tissues surrounding the tooth. As the tooth shifts within the bone, the connective tissue called the ligament comes under pressure and a temporary sensitivity develops in this area. For this reason the teeth may feel "loose" or "achy" when biting or chewing. The soreness mostly begins a few hours after placement, reaches its most noticeable level on the second and third days and then eases. A similar but generally milder period may be experienced each time the wire is changed or a new wire is tightened at check-up visits. Because its severity and duration vary from person to person, it would not be right to give an exact figure.
What should be expected in the first week?
On the first day, a feeling of a foreign object in the mouth, the tongue catching on the brackets and a slight change in speech generally stand out. On the second and third days, aching in the teeth and soreness when biting may increase. From the fourth day, in most people the discomfort lightens, and toward the end of the week getting used to the new situation begins. Increased saliva, temporary differences in speech and small irritations on the inside of the cheeks can also be seen in this period. All of these symptoms are part of the adjustment process. However, complaints should decrease over time; if they are increasing instead of decreasing, it is appropriate to let your doctor know. You can find answers to questions about when the teeth begin to move in our article on when braces start to work.
How should you eat during the soreness period?
In the first days, soft and easily chewed foods should be preferred. Options such as soup, yogurt, mashed potatoes, boiled vegetables, pasta, eggs, bananas and rice pilaf do not strain the teeth much. Cold foods may feel soothing to some people; very hot drinks, however, can increase discomfort in sensitive teeth. Hard apples, raw carrots, nuts, the crusty edge of a simit (Turkish sesame bagel) and sticky candies can both cause pain and make brackets come off. Cutting food into small pieces instead of biting into it and chewing with the back teeth brings comfort. For practical tips on eating and speaking throughout the process, you can look at the guide on eating, speaking and care while using an appliance.
What can be done about mouth sores and irritation?
In the first week, the edges of brackets and wires can rub against the inside of the cheeks, lips and tongue and cause small sores. The most practical measure is orthodontic wax. A small piece of wax is pinched off, rolled and placed by pressing it onto a dry, clean bracket or wire area. In this way friction decreases and the tissue can repair itself. If the wax is swallowed it is generally considered harmless, but it is better to replace it. Rinsing the mouth with warm salt water and not touching the irritated area can help healing. If the sores last a long time or grow, you can look at the warnings in our article on mouth sores and let our clinic know.
Should a pain reliever be used?
Whether to use a pain reliever to reduce soreness, and the type and amount of medication, depend on the person's health history. For this reason we do not make a general recommendation without naming a medication and dose; you should consult your doctor or pharmacist before using one. If you have an allergy, stomach sensitivity or a medication you use regularly, be sure to mention it. Dosing in child patients requires extra care, and parents need to get information from the doctor. In most people the soreness can be managed without medication, with a soft diet and cold application; but this decision is individual.
What else can be done to reduce discomfort?
It is important to brush the teeth gently with a soft-bristled brush; neglecting brushing because of soreness can increase the risk of gum inflammation. Interdental brushes and suitable flossing for the area around the brackets should be learned from the first week. Avoiding unnecessary clenching of the teeth, not biting objects such as nails or pens, and resting the jaw during the day can be soothing. Patients who have a habit of clenching their teeth in their sleep should tell their doctor. For general recommendations, our article on points to watch in braces treatment can be a guide.
How does the first week go for children and teenagers?
In children and teenagers, complaints are mostly similar to those of adults, but the adjustment period may pass more quickly. The points parents should watch in the first week are that the child does not stop eating entirely, limits hard snacks and keeps orthodontic wax in the school bag. In children who play sports, the use of a mouthguard should be discussed with the doctor. If a child has difficulty describing the discomfort, behaviors such as being picky about food or constantly probing the cheek can give clues. Encouraging the child to tell the doctor about their complaints at each check-up visit helps resolve possible problems early.
When should you contact the doctor?
You should contact the clinic in these situations: if the soreness increases instead of decreasing after a few days, if a wire end pokes the cheek or tongue and creates a sore, if a bracket or band has come off, if there are symptoms such as swelling, fever or pus in the mouth, and if chewing has become completely impossible. In these cases, the right course is to reach the clinic by phone and then schedule an appointment according to the guidance. You can use our contact page for ways to reach us. If you experience an unusual situation, you should not try to cut the wire or remove the bracket yourself.
Practical tips for comfort at night and during the day
In the first nights, keeping your head slightly elevated and gently cleaning your teeth before bed can make it easier to relax. Instead of snacking very often during the day, regular meals can be preferred, because constant chewing tires sensitive teeth. If the lips are dry, a lip moisturizer can be used. Although these measures look small, they make the first week more bearable.
What changes after the first week?
By the end of the first week, most patients adapt to speaking, eating and brushing. Check-up appointments continue at intervals, and a mild soreness may be experienced at each visit. When care discipline is maintained throughout treatment, the process goes more comfortably. For the meaning of terms you can use the dental glossary, and for appliances in general the orthodontic appliances pages.
Orthodontic check-up in Ankara
When there is something on your mind during the braces process, you can consult our clinic in Park Oran Ofis in Çankaya and schedule a check-up appointment. Our doctor evaluates your complaint and, if needed, readjusts the wire or bracket.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does soreness last after getting braces?
In most people the soreness becomes pronounced in the first three days and eases toward the end of the week. The duration varies from person to person. If it is increasing instead of decreasing, you need to let your doctor know.
How is orthodontic wax used?
A small piece of wax is pinched off, rolled and pressed onto the dry bracket or wire area. It is helpful to remove it before eating, then clean the mouth and put on new wax afterward.
Which foods should be preferred in the first week?
Soft foods such as soup, yogurt, mashed potatoes, boiled vegetables, pasta and eggs are suitable. Hard, sticky foods that are eaten by biting should be avoided.
Do I need to take a pain reliever?
This decision depends on the person's health history. You should consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any medication.