Do Braces Hurt? An Expert's Guide to Orthodontic Pain

The honest answer is that braces don't hurt at all when applied to the teeth, so there's no need to worry about the placement appointment. After the orthodontic wire is inserted into the newly placed brackets, some minor pain or discomfort may be felt, which can last from a few days to a week. It's normal to experience discomfort or pain while wearing braces. Generally, people will only feel pain or discomfort when an orthodontist places braces for the first time and after regular adjustments.

They may also feel pain if part of the brace is rubbed or inserted inside the mouth. The point is that pain after routine appointments is actually a sign that braces are working, as the new cables guide the teeth to the planned positions, gradually working towards a straight smile. Mild pain or discomfort is a common side effect of wearing braces. However, you should only feel this discomfort immediately after your orthodontist places or adjusts braces or wires.

The discomfort usually goes away within four days and pain from braces rarely lasts longer than a week. Eating cold foods, such as ice cream, can help ease mouth pain. Popsicles and other frozen foods work much like ice packs and relieve pain. Be careful not to bite off any ice cubes or ice cream, as it could break a holder. For most patients, the pain or discomfort they experience with braces goes away within a few days, either after putting them on or after visits to the orthodontist.

They may also feel some discomfort after squeezing the brace, which occurs regularly when a person has braces. Some people may experience general discomfort, while others only have one tooth that hurts with brace adjustments. While everyone is different, most people feel some pain for a few days when they first put on their braces and after tightening their braces. Fortunately, this pain is usually mild and can be managed with over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.