Getting braces fitted does not hurt, but your teeth will feel tender for a few days afterwards as they start to move. The appointment itself involves no drilling and no needles. The soreness that follows is mild, tends to peak around the second or third day, and usually settles within a week. Knowing what is coming makes the first week far easier to manage. Here is a plain guide to what happens and how to stay comfortable.
Key takeaways
- Fitting braces is painless; the tenderness comes later as teeth begin to move.
- Soreness usually peaks around day two or three and eases within about a week.
- Soft foods, orthodontic wax and over-the-counter pain relief handle most discomfort.
- Cheeks and lips may rub against the brackets at first, then toughen up within days.
- Mild soreness returns briefly after each adjustment, but it is always less than the first week.
What happens at the fitting appointment
Fitting fixed braces takes roughly one to two hours. The teeth are cleaned and dried, a small amount of bonding material holds each bracket in place, and a wire is threaded through and secured. Nothing is drilled and no anaesthetic is needed. You may feel pressure and a slight taste from the materials, but no pain. Afterwards your teeth simply feel different, and within a few hours the gentle pressure of the wire begins.
Day by day: the first week
Everyone is different, but a common pattern looks like this. On the day of fitting, teeth feel fine to slightly odd. By the next morning they feel tender when you bite, and this peaks around day two or three. From day four the ache fades, and by the end of the week most people barely notice the braces. The soreness is a dull, bruised feeling rather than a sharp pain, and it means the braces are doing their job.
What to eat in the first few days
Stick to soft foods while your teeth are tender. Good choices include yoghurt, soup, pasta, mashed potato, eggs, smoothies and soft fruit. Avoid hard, crunchy or sticky foods that can hurt sore teeth or damage a bracket, such as nuts, hard rolls, chewy lollies and whole apples. Cutting food into small pieces helps once you feel ready for more variety.
| Symptom | What helps |
|---|---|
| Tender teeth when biting | Soft foods, cool drinks, simple pain relief as directed |
| Cheek or lip rubbing | Orthodontic wax over the bracket that is catching |
| Ulcers from friction | Warm salt-water rinses; wax; they settle as tissue toughens |
| Wire feels long or pokes | Wax as a short-term fix, then call your orthodontist |
Managing the soreness
Over-the-counter pain relief taken as directed on the packet handles most first-week discomfort. Cold water and cold foods can soothe tender teeth. Orthodontic wax, pressed over any bracket that is rubbing, protects the inside of your lips and cheeks until they toughen up, which usually happens within a few days. Warm salt-water rinses help any small ulcers heal.
Looking after your braces from day one
Cleaning takes a little longer now, but it matters more than ever because food traps around brackets. Brush gently after meals, angling the brush around each bracket, and use floss threaders or an interdental brush to clean between teeth. Keeping wax handy and knowing which foods to avoid will get you through the adjustment period smoothly.
What about future adjustments?
You will return every few weeks to have the wire adjusted. Each visit brings a day or two of mild soreness as the teeth respond, but it is always milder than the first week. Over the course of treatment this becomes a familiar, manageable rhythm. To understand the bigger picture, see our guide on how long braces take and our overview of whether braces hurt.
Frequently asked questions
Does getting braces put on hurt?
No. Fitting braces involves no drilling or needles. The tenderness comes in the days after, as the teeth begin to move under gentle pressure.
How long does the first-week soreness last?
It usually peaks around day two or three and settles within about a week. After that, teeth feel normal until the next adjustment.
What can I eat with new braces?
Soft foods such as soup, pasta, eggs, yoghurt and smoothies are ideal for the first few days. Avoid hard, crunchy and sticky foods that can hurt or damage the braces.
Why are my cheeks sore?
Your lips and cheeks are not used to the brackets yet. Orthodontic wax protects them until the tissue toughens, which usually takes a few days.
When will I get used to them?
Most people adjust within one to two weeks and stop noticing the braces during everyday activities. Speech and eating settle quickly too.
The bottom line
The first week of braces is about adjustment, not pain. Expect a few tender days, lean on soft foods and wax, and it passes quickly. If you are considering braces or aligners, compare your options in our braces versus aligners guide, or see our current offers to book a consultation with our team.
This article is general information and not a substitute for personal orthodontic advice. Please see a dentist or orthodontist for care tailored to your situation.
