You left our office an hour ago and now everything aches. This is the most common thing patients call about, and almost always the answer is: yes, that’s expected, and here is how to get through the next few days.
Why it hurts
An adjustment changes the force on your teeth. That force is what moves them — and the movement itself is what you’re feeling. Tenderness to biting pressure for three to five days is normal, and it fades on its own as the teeth settle into the new position.
The first adjustment after getting braces on is usually the most noticeable. Later ones tend to bother people less, partly because the teeth are already moving and partly because you know what to expect.
What actually helps
Warm salt water. One teaspoon of salt dissolved in eight ounces of warm water. Swish vigorously for a minute or two, then spit — don’t swallow it. Repeat as often as you like. This does more than most people expect.
Soft food, for a few days. Not forever. Pasta, soft rice, eggs, soup, yogurt, mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables. Chewing is what hurts, so give it a rest and it settles faster. Our life with braces page has the full list of what works.
Wax on anything sharp. Adjustment often means a slightly longer wire at the back. If it’s catching, cover it — and see what to do about a poking wire.
A pain reliever, if you need one — but pick carefully. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the one we suggest. Aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen sodium (Aleve, Naprosyn) actually slow tooth movement, so we’d rather you didn’t take them routinely during treatment. An occasional dose won’t undo your progress, but they’re not the ones to reach for first.
That last point surprises people, and it’s worth knowing before you’re standing in front of the medicine cabinet at ten at night.
Your lips and cheeks, separately
For the first week or two of treatment, the inside of your mouth is adjusting to a surface it has never met. Lips, cheeks and tongue get irritated while they toughen up.
This is different from tooth soreness and it resolves differently — it stops once the tissue adapts, usually within two weeks. Wax helps in the meantime, and so does salt water.
When to call rather than wait
Soreness that responds to salt water and softer food is treatment working. These are not:
- Severe pain, or pain that isn’t easing after five days
- Swelling in the face or gums, as opposed to tenderness
- A specific tooth that hurts sharply rather than a general ache across several
- Anything that started with a knock to the mouth rather than with the adjustment
Call (212) 966-9628 for any of those. Our emergency care page covers the other things that come up mid-treatment.
One thing worth saying
People sometimes skip an adjustment because the last one hurt. That backfires — the appointment gets rescheduled, the teeth sit still, and treatment stretches out.
If soreness after adjustments is genuinely hard for you, tell us. There are things we can do about the pace. We would much rather adjust the plan than have you quietly dread every visit.
Not sure whether what you’re feeling is normal? Call us or request an appointment. Asking costs nothing.
