Getting braces put on doesn't hurt: there are no shots and no drilling. Soreness usually starts about 24 hours later as the teeth begin to move and can last one to two weeks, though many patients feel very little. Soft foods, Advil or Tylenol taken as the label directs, and orthodontic wax ease it.
Here's the good news I share with every nervous patient in my chair: most people, especially kids, adjust to braces really well. Younger patients usually feel back to normal in a day or two. For teens and adults, I tell them to give it up to two weeks.
On this page
- Does getting braces put on hurt?
- What does the first week with braces feel like?
- How can you ease braces soreness?
- Do braces hurt every time they are adjusted?
- Do braces hurt more than Invisalign?
- When is braces pain not normal?
- Can therapy dogs help a nervous patient?
- How can parents get a child ready for braces?
- Frequently asked questions
Free consultation, no referral needed, $300 down. Or call (813) 427-2237.
Does getting braces put on hurt?
No. Getting braces put on doesn't hurt, because there are no shots and no drilling. The brackets are attached to the outside of your teeth. Many patients get their braces the same day as their free consultation, which takes about an hour.
If you have a nervous child, it helps to walk them through it ahead of time. It's four simple steps:
- Teeth are cleaned and dried. The brackets stick best to clean, dry teeth.
- Brackets are placed. Each small bracket is attached to the front of a tooth.
- The wire is added. A thin wire connects the brackets. This is what gently moves the teeth.
- Done. We go over how to care for your braces, and you head home.
The most common thing I hear afterward is "That was it?" Your mouth may feel full and a little strange at first, but it shouldn't hurt.
What does the first week with braces feel like?
The first day usually feels fine. Soreness starts about 24 hours later, as a dull pressure that's most noticeable when you chew. Younger patients usually adjust in a day or two, while teens and adults can take up to two weeks. Many patients feel very little.
A rough picture of the first week:
- Day 1: Your teeth feel fine. Your mouth feels busy, and your tongue will keep exploring the brackets.
- About 24 hours in: Pressure and tenderness start as the teeth begin to move. Chewing feels sore.
- The next day or two: For most people this is when it's most noticeable. Stick with soft foods.
- The rest of the week: It fades. Younger patients are often back to normal by now. Older patients may take up to two weeks.
Your cheeks and lips may also get sore where they rub against the brackets. That settles as they toughen up, usually within the first week or two. Orthodontic wax helps a lot in the meantime.
How can you ease braces soreness?
Most braces soreness is eased with over-the-counter pain relief, soft foods, orthodontic wax and cold water. A warm salt-water rinse soothes sore spots on the cheeks. And keep brushing, gently. You can always call us if something doesn't feel right.
- Over-the-counter pain relief. I tell patients to take Advil or Tylenol if they're sore. Follow the label, or your doctor's directions.
- Soft foods for the first few days. Pasta, scrambled eggs, yogurt, soup, mashed potatoes and smoothies are all easy. See our full guide to what to eat with braces.
- Orthodontic wax on rough spots. Pinch off a small piece and roll it into a ball. Dry the bracket or wire with a tissue. Press the wax over it so it covers the spot.
- Cold water or a cold pack. Cool things feel good on tender teeth.
- Warm salt-water rinse. Swish and spit to soothe sore cheeks and gums.
- Brush gently, but keep brushing. Clean teeth and healthy gums feel better.
If you're sore and not sure what's normal, call us at (813) 427-2237. That's what we're here for.
Do braces hurt every time they are adjusted?
Adjustments usually cause much milder soreness than the first week, often just one to three days of tenderness after a visit. The same tips help: soft foods, over-the-counter pain relief and wax. Most patients come in every 6 to 10 weeks, and visits run 15 to 30 minutes.
After each visit the teeth start moving again, so a little pressure is a sign things are working. Plan an easy dinner that night and you'll be fine.
Do braces hurt more than Invisalign?
Both braces and Invisalign cause pressure as the teeth move, so both can feel sore at first. Braces also have brackets that can rub your cheeks while you adjust. Aligners are smooth and removable, but each new set brings a few days of pressure.
At Miller Orthodontics, braces and Invisalign cost the same, so the choice is about your case and your habits, not price or a little soreness. Aligners only work if they're worn 20 to 22 hours a day. Compare them on our Invisalign vs braces page.
When is braces pain not normal?
Braces pain isn't normal if a wire is poking you, a bracket is loose or broken, a sore spot isn't settling, or the pain gets worse after the first week instead of better. Put wax on anything sharp first, then call us at (813) 427-2237.
- A poking wire. Cover it with wax and call. We can trim or adjust it.
- A loose or broken bracket. Save the bracket if it comes off and call to book a repair.
- A sore spot that doesn't settle. Wax helps, but call if it isn't getting better.
- Pain that gets worse after a week. Soreness should fade, not build.
Our Tampa office is closed Wednesdays. If you have an urgent issue that day, call and we'll see you at another office. More on orthodontic emergencies.
Can therapy dogs help a nervous patient?
Yes. A calm, friendly dog can take the edge off a nervous visit, for kids and adults alike. Our therapy dogs, Millie and Nash, are part of the Miller Orthodontics team, greeting patients and offering comfort during appointments.
Millie visits our Brandon office. Nash is especially good at putting nervous first-time visitors at ease. You can meet Millie and Nash on our Dogtors page.
Tips for anxious kids:
- Visit first. Come to the free consultation with no treatment required that day.
- Keep it simple. Tell them it's a visit for pictures and brackets. No shots, no drilling.
- Bring a comfort item. A favorite stuffed animal, headphones or a hand to hold.
How can parents get a child ready for braces?
Get your child ready for braces by having them eat before the visit, planning soft foods for dinner, packing orthodontic wax and keeping the evening quiet. Kids take their cues from you, so a calm, matter-of-fact tone goes a long way.
- Eat before the visit. A full stomach makes the afternoon easier.
- Plan soft foods for dinner. Pasta, soup or mashed potatoes are perfect.
- Pack wax. Put some in a backpack for school the next day.
- Plan a quiet evening. A movie on the couch beats a big night out.
For more on treatment by age, see braces for kids, teens and adults.
Frequently asked questions
Do braces hurt?
Getting braces put on doesn't hurt: there are no shots and no drilling. Soreness typically begins about 24 hours later as the teeth start to move, and can last one to two weeks, though many patients have very little. Over-the-counter pain relievers and soft foods handle it. Most people find it milder than they expected. Younger patients usually feel back to normal in a day or two, and teens and adults can take up to two weeks.
How long do braces hurt?
Younger patients usually adjust in a day or two. Teens and adults can take longer, up to two weeks. After that first stretch, adjustment visits usually bring one to three days of milder tenderness. If soreness is getting worse instead of better after a week, call us at (813) 427-2237. It's a good idea to plan soft meals for the first few days, then ease back into your usual foods.
Do braces hurt more when they are tightened?
Usually not. Soreness after an adjustment is typically milder than the first week, with one to three days of tenderness. The same tips help: soft foods, Advil or Tylenol as the label directs, cold water and wax. Most visits are every 6 to 10 weeks, so it's a short stretch every couple of months. A little pressure after a visit means the teeth are moving again, which is exactly what we want.
What helps braces pain at home?
Over-the-counter pain relievers like Advil or Tylenol, taken as the label directs, plus soft foods, orthodontic wax on rough spots, cold water and a warm salt-water rinse. Keep brushing gently. If you're not sure whether something is normal, call us at (813) 427-2237. We'd rather hear from you than have you wait it out. Cool foods like yogurt and smoothies also feel good on tender teeth.
What is the worst day of braces?
For most people it's the day or two after soreness starts, so often the second or third day. It varies from person to person, and many patients barely notice it. After that, it gets better each day. Most people tell me it was milder than they expected. Plan soft foods and an easy schedule for those days. If you're getting braces before a big event, ask us about timing at your consultation.
Do braces hurt more than Invisalign?
Both cause pressure as teeth move. Braces add brackets that can rub your cheeks at first, while aligners are smooth and removable, though each new set brings some pressure. At Miller Orthodontics both cost the same, so the choice is about your case and habits. Aligners only work if they're worn 20 to 22 hours a day. See how Invisalign and braces compare.
Can I go to school or work the day I get my braces?
Yes, most people do. Pack a soft lunch, like pasta, soup or yogurt, and some wax, and you'll be fine. We schedule around school and work as much as we can, and our Tampa office has evening appointments for exactly that reason. Those evening slots book up first, so call early if you need one. Soreness usually starts about a day later, not in class that afternoon.
My child is scared of the orthodontist. What can we do?
Start with the free consultation, with no treatment required that day. Explain the steps ahead of time: pictures, an exam and a conversation. Keep your own tone calm and matter-of-fact. Let them meet our therapy dogs, Millie and Nash. Same-day starts are always optional, so your child can come back when they're ready. Kids usually adjust to braces very well, often within a day or two.
When should I call the orthodontist about braces pain?
Call if a wire is poking, a bracket is loose or broken, a sore spot isn't settling, or the pain is getting worse after a week. Put wax on anything sharp first, then call (813) 427-2237. Our Tampa office is closed Wednesdays; if it's urgent that day, call and we'll see you at another office. If a bracket comes off, save it and bring it with you.
Nervous? Come meet us and Millie and Nash at a free consultation
Come see the office, meet the team and ask every question you have. There's no pressure to start that day. Book your free consultation or call (813) 427-2237. More answers are on our FAQ page, and our post on how long braces take covers the full timeline.
Free consultation, no referral needed, $300 down.
Miller Orthodontics · Tampa, Brandon and Apollo Beach · (813) 427-2237 · info@northtampabraces.com