My Braces Hurt: What's Normal and When to Call Your Orthodontist

You just got your braces on — or had an adjustment — and now your teeth are sore, your mouth feels weird, and you’re wondering if something is wrong.

Good news: probably not.

Here’s how to tell the difference between normal braces discomfort and a situation that actually warrants a call to your orthodontist.

The First Few Days: What’s Normal

It’s completely normal to feel soreness and tenderness in your teeth and gums after braces go on, or after an adjustment appointment. Your teeth are starting to move, and your mouth needs time to catch up. That achiness typically peaks around 24–48 hours and fades on its own within a few days.

You might also notice your teeth feel slightly loose. That’s actually a good sign — it means the braces are working. Teeth need to loosen a bit before they can shift into their new positions. They’ll firm back up once they settle.

What to Do at Home

A few things that genuinely help with braces discomfort:

Salt water rinse — Dissolve one teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of room-temperature water, swish for a couple of minutes, and spit. This soothes sore gum tissue and helps with inflammation. Our team at Nexus recommends it right after getting braces placed or adjusted. (More aftercare tips on our Life with Braces page.)

Over-the-counter pain relief — Ibuprofen or Tylenol, taken as directed, can take the edge off — especially in the first 48 hours after an adjustment.

Stick to soft foods — Your teeth are sensitive right now. Yogurt, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, smoothies, and soup are good choices. Avoid anything hard, crunchy, or chewy for the first few days after an appointment.

Use your wax — If brackets or wires are rubbing against the inside of your cheeks or lips, apply a small piece of orthodontic wax over the irritating spot. We send every patient home with wax for exactly this reason.

When to Call Us

Most braces soreness doesn’t need a same-day call. Our Emergency Care page has a full rundown — but these are the situations that warrant a call:

• Severe pain that doesn’t respond to OTC relief or the salt water rinse — discomfort that won’t settle down after a day or two is worth a call
• A wire is poking your cheek or gum — wax helps in the short term, but we can usually fix a poking wire the same day
• A bracket feels loose or has come off — not a 911 situation, but it needs to be repaired within a few days so it doesn’t slow down your treatment
• Swelling in your jaw or face, or pain that extends beyond your teeth and gums
• A hit to the mouth — if you take a knock during sports, check your brackets right away and call us if anything seems loose or the pain is significant

The Short Version

Sore teeth for a few days = totally normal. Salt water rinse, OTC pain relief, and soft foods will get you through it.

Pain that’s severe, won’t go away, involves a poking wire or loose bracket? That’s when to call.

We’re always here for our patients at Nexus Orthodontics in New Hyde Park. Whether it’s a quick question or an urgent fix, don’t hesitate to reach out. And if you have other questions about life with braces, you might find our post on what patients ask after getting braces helpful.

Have a concern about your braces? Contact us or book an appointment — we’ll take care of you.

— Dr. Shauna Fung, DDS, Board-Certified Orthodontist Nexus Orthodontics, New Hyde Park, NY