Does Getting Braces Hurt? What Research Really Shows

Getting braces does cause some discomfort, but the pain is temporary and manageable. Most people feel pressure and soreness in the first few days after placement and after each adjustment. Research shows that the pain level is typically mild to moderate — not severe — and fades within a week. Knowing what to expect and how to handle it makes the experience much easier.

Does Getting Braces Hurt Right Away?

You will not feel pain while the orthodontist puts the braces on. The procedure itself does not hurt. The brackets are glued to your teeth and the wire is attached. It takes about an hour or two.

The discomfort starts a few hours later. Your teeth begin to feel pressure as the wire starts moving them. Many people describe it as a dull ache or a feeling like their teeth are loose. This is normal. It means the braces are working.

Research published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics found that pain peaks about 24 hours after placement. After that it steadily decreases. By day seven most people report little to no pain.

Why Do Braces Hurt? What Research Shows

Braces work by applying constant gentle pressure to your teeth. This pressure triggers a biological response. Your body breaks down bone on one side of the tooth root and builds new bone on the other side. That process is called bone remodeling.

The discomfort comes from inflammation in the periodontal ligament — the tissue that holds each tooth in place. When pressure is applied the ligament gets compressed. Blood flow changes. Inflammatory chemicals are released. These chemicals signal pain and cause swelling.

A 2019 study in The Angle Orthodontist measured pain levels in people getting braces. Participants rated their pain on a scale of 0 to 10. The average score was 4.5 on the first day. By day three it dropped to 2.8. By day seven it was below 1. This is consistent with what orthodontists see in practice.

Do Adjustments Hurt More Than the First Time?

Every adjustment causes some discomfort. But it is usually less intense than the first placement. Your teeth have already started moving. The initial shock is over.

Adjustments happen every four to eight weeks. Your orthodontist tightens or changes the wire to keep pressure on your teeth. The soreness that follows lasts about one to three days. Some people say it feels like a mild headache in their teeth.

One thing that surprises people is that the pain varies with each adjustment. Some visits cause almost no pain. Others feel more tender. This depends on how much your teeth need to move and what type of wire is used.

Research published in Progress in Orthodontics found that pain levels during treatment are highest in the first six months. After that the body adapts. Later adjustments tend to cause less discomfort.

What Actually Helps With Braces Pain?

Several methods have real evidence behind them. Not everything that people recommend online works. Here is what the research supports.

• Over-the-counter pain relievers. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) reduces inflammation and pain. A study in the European Journal of Orthodontics found ibuprofen worked better than acetaminophen for braces pain. Take it as directed — not on an empty stomach.
• Cold foods and drinks. Cold numbs the area temporarily. Ice water, smoothies, and yogurt help. Avoid chewing ice — that can damage brackets.
• Soft food diet. Chewing puts pressure on sore teeth. Stick to soup, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and pasta for the first few days after placement or adjustment.
• Orthodontic wax. This does not reduce tooth pain but it stops brackets from rubbing against your cheeks and lips. That friction causes sores and irritation. Wax prevents it.
• Salt water rinses. A warm salt water rinse soothes irritated gums. It is not a painkiller but it helps with soft tissue discomfort.

Some people recommend silicone chewables or teething rings. These are widely claimed to help but strong evidence is limited. Some orthodontists suggest them to help teeth settle into the wire faster. The theory is that light chewing increases blood flow to the ligament. If it helps you, use it. If not, skip it.

One thing to avoid: aspirin placed directly on the gums. This is an old folk remedy that does not work. Aspirin can burn the gum tissue and cause a chemical burn. There is no evidence it helps tooth pain.

What Makes Braces Pain Worse?

Some habits increase discomfort. Knowing what to avoid can save you unnecessary pain.

Hard and crunchy foods put direct pressure on sore teeth. Nuts, chips, raw carrots, and crusty bread are the worst offenders. They also risk breaking brackets which means an emergency visit and more pain later.

Chewing gum is a problem for two reasons. It sticks to brackets and it constantly moves your teeth against the wire. That can prolong soreness. Most orthodontists recommend avoiding gum entirely during treatment.

Skipping adjustments is another mistake. If you delay an appointment the teeth stop moving. When you finally go in the movement required is larger and the pain is worse. Staying on schedule keeps the pressure gradual and manageable.

Grinding or clenching your teeth makes braces pain worse. Nighttime grinding puts extra force on already tender teeth. If you grind your teeth at night ask your orthodontist about a night guard that fits over your braces.

Common Misconceptions About Braces Pain

There are a lot of myths about braces pain. Some of them cause unnecessary fear. Others lead people to try things that do not work.

Myth: Braces hurt constantly for the whole treatment. This is not true. The pain comes in short bursts after placement and adjustments. Between appointments most people feel nothing. The discomfort is temporary and predictable.

Myth: Over-the-counter pain relievers weaken tooth movement. Some older studies suggested that ibuprofen might slow down tooth movement because it reduces inflammation. But a 2020 review in The Korean Journal of Orthodontics found that short-term use of ibuprofen for pain relief does not affect treatment outcomes. Taking it for one to three days after an adjustment is safe and effective.

Myth: You should tough it out without pain medication. There is no benefit to suffering. Pain is your body’s signal that something needs attention. If you are in pain take something that works. The goal is to make treatment tolerable so you stick with it.

Myth: Braces pain means something is wrong. Discomfort is a normal part of the process. It means the teeth are moving. However if the pain is sharp, constant, or does not improve after a week call your orthodontist. That could indicate a broken wire, loose bracket, or infection.

Does Age Affect How Much Braces Hurt?

Adults often worry that braces will hurt more than they did in childhood. The research is mixed on this point. Some studies suggest adults report slightly higher pain levels than teenagers. Other studies find no difference.

What is clear is that adults have denser bone. Tooth movement takes longer. The bone remodeling process may feel more noticeable. But the pain intensity is still in the mild to moderate range.

A study in the Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics compared pain reports between adolescents and adults. Both groups reported peak pain at 24 hours. The average score was about 4 out of 10 in both groups. Adults reported the pain lasted one to two days longer on average.

The bottom line: age is not a reason to avoid braces. The discomfort is manageable at any age. The benefits of straight teeth and better bite function outweigh the temporary soreness.