Braces
Your first week with braces
Your teeth will probably feel sore for the first few days, and your cheeks and lips need time to get used to the brackets. Soft foods, orthodontic wax and an over-the-counter pain reliever, if you need one, make the first week easier. Most people feel settled by the end of the week.
Reviewed by Dr. Yugal Behl, orthodontist · November 3, 2026
What happens on the day braces go on?
Putting braces on doesn’t hurt. Your orthodontist cleans your teeth, attaches the brackets and threads the wire. Before you leave, our team shows you how to brush around your braces and use orthodontic wax, and answers your questions.
How sore will my teeth be?
Most people feel pressure or aching when they bite, starting a few hours after the braces go on. It’s usually worst in the first 2 or 3 days and eases within about a week. You may feel it again for a day or two after adjustments.
- Eat soft foods for the first few days.
- Cold foods and drinks can feel soothing.
- Rinse with warm salt water (about half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water).
- If you need it, take an over-the-counter pain reliever you would normally use, as directed on the label. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you’re not sure.
What if the brackets rub my cheeks or lips?
This is very common at first. Press a small piece of orthodontic wax over any bracket that rubs. Your cheeks and lips toughen up within a week or two, and you’ll need wax less often.
What can I eat in the first week?
Choose soft foods like pasta, eggs, yogurt, soup, mashed potatoes and smoothies. Cut food into small pieces and chew with your back teeth. Skip hard, sticky and chewy foods for as long as you have braces.
How do I keep my teeth clean?
Brush after meals and before bed with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, getting above and below the wire. Floss once a day with a floss threader. It takes longer at first; most people get quicker within the first week.
Will braces change how I talk?
Your lips may feel full for a day or two, but braces rarely change your speech. Talking and reading aloud help you get used to them quickly.
When should I call?
Call or text us if you have:
- Pain that is severe or isn’t getting better after a few days
- A loose bracket or a wire that keeps poking (see our emergencies page for what to do first)
- Anything that stops you wearing your braces or elastics as directed
More questions
- Do braces hurt to put on?
- No. Putting braces on doesn’t hurt. Soreness usually starts a few hours later, as your teeth begin to move.
- How long does the soreness last?
- It’s usually worst in the first 2 or 3 days and eases within about a week.
- Can I go to school or work the next day?
- Yes. Most people go back to their usual day right away. Pack soft foods for lunch and some wax.
- When is my next visit?
- Usually in a few weeks. Our team books it before you leave.
- Can I play sports or an instrument?
- Yes. Wear a mouthguard for sports; ask us which one. Wind instrument players usually need a little time to adjust.
