If you're considering braces or have just gotten them, understanding the timeline of and what to expect during the adjustment period can help ease your concerns and prepare you for the journey ahead. Here, our orthodontists in Langley discuss how long braces may hurt and how long it usually takes for the pain to subside.
Why Do Braces (or Adjustments) Cause Discomfort?
To understand why braces can cause discomfort, it’s helpful to know how they work. Braces exert gentle, steady pressure on your teeth, gradually shifting them into their correct positions. This pressure initiates a biological process known as bone remodelling, where the bone surrounding your teeth is resorbed on one side and rebuilt on the other. Your periodontal ligament, linking your teeth to your jawbone, reacts to this pressure and may feel sore because of it.
Your teeth might feel tender and sensitive, particularly when you bite down or chew. Your gums could also feel uncomfortable as they get used to the movement. Furthermore, the brackets and wires may rub against the inside of your cheeks and lips, causing irritation or small sore spots. This means the discomfort isn't just about your teeth hurting, but also about your mouth adjusting to having hardware inside.
Both the initial placement of braces and subsequent adjustment appointments (when your orthodontist tightens wires or changes rubber bands) are common causes of discomfort. Knowing that this is a normal part of the treatment process can help you feel more prepared and less anxious about what lies ahead.
Typical Timeline: How Long Do Braces Hurt After Getting Them On?
The main point to remember is that most patients feel discomfort only during the first few days after getting braces, and it gradually subsides. Here's a general timeline of what to expect during the adjustment period.
First Few Hours
You might start to notice some pressure or mild soreness as your teeth begin to respond to the braces. Many people don't feel much right away, but by the end of the day, you'll likely notice that something feels different.
Days 1 to 2
This is usually when soreness reaches its peak for many patients. Your teeth might feel tight or sore, and chewing could be uncomfortable. You may find yourself choosing softer foods and being more careful while eating.
Days 3 to 7
The soreness starts to lessen noticeably. You'll slowly go back to more typical eating habits, although you might still experience some tenderness. Most people find that by the end of the first week, they're feeling much better.
7+ Days
After about a week, the majority of the pain and discomfort are usually gone. You might experience occasional mild sensitivity, but it shouldn't interfere with your daily life.
How Long Do Braces Hurt After Adjustments or Tightenings?
It's not just the initial placement that causes soreness. Each time you visit your orthodontist for an adjustment (when wires are tightened, rubber bands are changed, or other modifications are made), you'll likely experience discomfort again. The good news is that this discomfort is usually shorter and less intense than what you felt when you first got braces.
Most sources suggest soreness typically persists for one to three days following an adjustment. Many patients find days two and three are when they feel the most tenderness, and by days four or five, they usually feel normal again.
As your mouth gets used to the braces and treatment, you'll notice that the discomfort after adjustments becomes less severe and shorter. What was uncomfortable at your first few appointments might hardly bother you later in treatment.
The adjustment period after tightenings is a normal part of orthodontic treatment, but you won't be in constant pain. Between appointments, you'll enjoy weeks of comfortable wearing time when your braces simply do their work in the background.
When Can You Expect Real Relief? (and What 'Relief' Means)
When we talk about relief, we mean being able to chew more comfortably, no longer experiencing a dull ache in your teeth, and having minimal irritation from the braces hardware. So, how long does it take for braces to stop hurting and for you to feel comfortable?
Based on the timeline above, most patients feel much more comfortable by about one week after their initial placement. For adjustments, you can expect to be back to normal eating and caring for your teeth by day three or four after your orthodontic appointment.
It's important to understand that while the mechanics of braces continue working (your teeth keep moving throughout treatment), the discomfort phase is short-lived. You won't be in pain for months on end. The soreness comes in brief waves after adjustments, then fades as your mouth adapts.
How long it takes to get used to braces varies from person to person. Factors like your age, the severity of your bite issues, the type of braces you have, and your personal pain threshold all influence this process. Some people adjust quickly within just a few days, while others might take a week or two to feel completely comfortable. Either way, the discomfort is temporary and manageable.
Tips to Manage Discomfort During the Adjustment Phase
There are several effective methods to handle soreness and make the initial days more comfortable:
- Stick to Soft Foods: In the first few days after getting braces or an adjustment, choose foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, smoothies, soups, and scrambled eggs. These are gentler on your tender teeth and won't irritate any sore spots.
- Use Over-the-Counter Pain Relief: Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage discomfort. Take them as recommended by your orthodontist or as directed on the package.
- Try Cold or Warm Remedies: Cold compresses on the outside of your cheeks or eating cold foods like ice cream can help numb soreness. Warm salt water rinses can soothe irritated gums and help heal any small cuts inside your mouth.
- Apply Orthodontic Wax: If brackets or wires rub against your cheeks or lips and cause irritation, orthodontic wax forms a smooth barrier. Your orthodontist will give you wax and show you how to use it.
- Maintain Excellent Oral Hygiene: Keeping your teeth and braces clean helps prevent additional irritation from plaque buildup or inflamed gums. Brush gently but thoroughly after meals.
- Avoid Problematic Foods: Stay away from crunchy, sticky, or hard foods that could irritate your brackets or damage your braces. Think popcorn, hard candy, gum, and crusty bread.
When Should You Contact the Orthodontist?
While some discomfort is perfectly normal, certain symptoms mean you should reach out to your orthodontist:
- Persistent Pain: If pain persists beyond seven to ten days after placement or adjustment, it may require attention.
- Sharp Pain or Broken Hardware: If a wire pokes your cheek, a bracket has come loose, or you're experiencing sharp stabbing pain, contact your orthodontist immediately.
- Sore Ulcers or Excessive Irritation: Sometimes brackets can lead to persistent sores that don't heal with standard care.
- Signs of Infection: Significant swelling, bleeding, or other concerning symptoms must be assessed promptly.
If you're a patient at Langley Orthodontics and you're uncertain whether what you're experiencing is normal, don't hesitate to contact us. Our team is here to support your comfort and safety throughout your orthodontic journey.
Discomfort is Temporary, But Your Smile is Forever
So, how long do your teeth hurt after getting braces? The answer is reassuring: usually just the first few days (up to about a week) for initial placement, and one to three days after adjustments. While everyone's experience is slightly different, the vast majority of patients find that how long braces pain lasts is much shorter than they expected.
The discomfort you feel is actually a sign that your treatment is working. Your teeth are moving and you're on your way to a straighter, healthier smile. With proper care and support from your orthodontic team, you'll be back to normal chewing and smiling in no time.