What to Expect

Your mouth changes a lot when you're wearing braces, but knowing what to expect when you first start your orthodontic treatment can go a long way in making the process go more smoothly.

General Soreness

When you first get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth, and your teeth may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. You may also experience this soreness after your adjustment appointments. 

This can be relieved by rinsing your mouth with a warm salt water mouthwash. Dissolve one teaspoonful of salt in 8 ounces of warm water, and rinse your mouth vigorously.

If the tenderness is severe, take aspirin or whatever you normally take for headache or similar pain.

Your lips, cheeks and tongue may also become irritated for one to two weeks as they become accustomed to the surface of the braces. You can put wax on braces braces to lessen this. We'll show you how!

Loosening of Teeth

This is to be expected throughout treatment. Don't worry! It's normal. Teeth must loosen first so they can be moved. The teeth will again become rigidly fixed in their new--corrected--positions.

After Adjustment Appointments

After your braces are adjusted, you can expect to feel some tightness, typically progressing to soreness that lasts for approximately four to six hours after the adjustment procedure. This soreness is a direct result of the replacement wires tightening the teeth into position. OTC pain relievers are suggested to help relieve this pain, which is the same as when your dental braces were initially placed.