The First Days and Weeks After Getting Braces

Day one: what to expect

After the brackets are bonded and the first wire is fitted, a slight feeling of pressure or tightness may develop in the teeth. This feeling usually starts a few hours after fitting and may become more noticeable in the first few days. Feeling as if there is a foreign object in your mouth, your tongue constantly going to the brackets and your lips feeling a little fuller are also normal parts of getting used to them.

For how treatment works in general and its steps, see our fixed braces treatment page.

Tenderness and pressure

As the teeth start to move, tenderness may be felt when chewing. For most patients this tenderness eases within a few days; it may also return briefly after check-up appointments at which the wire is changed or adjusted. During this period:

• You can choose soft, easy-to-chew foods (such as soup, yoghurt, mash, omelettes and well-cooked vegetables).
• Very hot or very cold foods can increase tenderness for some people; choose the temperature that feels comfortable for you.
• If you need a painkiller, ask your orthodontist or pharmacist which medicine you can take.

For detailed dietary advice, see our eating with braces page.

Using orthodontic wax

In the first weeks, brackets and wire ends can rub against the inside of the lips, cheeks and tongue. Orthodontic wax is a soft, harmless material placed over the bracket to reduce this rubbing.

1. Wash your hands and dry the bracket where the wax will go with a tissue.
2. Pinch off a small piece of wax and soften it by rolling it between your fingers.
3. Press it into place over the bracket or wire end that is bothering you.
4. Remove the wax before eating and brushing, and put a new piece on afterwards if needed.

Accidentally swallowing wax usually causes no problem. If wax is not enough or a wire end is clearly poking, call the clinic.

Mouth sores

Small sores may form on the inside of the cheeks or lips because of rubbing. The tissues of the mouth get used to the brackets over time and in most cases these sores heal within a few days. To support healing, rinsing with warm salt water, putting wax over the bracket irritating the sore and avoiding spicy and acidic foods for a while can help. For sores that last longer than two weeks or are getting bigger, contact the clinic. For general information on ulcers and mouth sores, see our article on mouth sores and ulcers.

Speech

Brackets can slightly affect the movement of the lips and tongue in the first days; you may notice a difference when making some sounds. Most patients get used to them quickly. Reading aloud and continuing to speak normally during the day can make adjusting easier.

Brushing and oral care

Even if your teeth are tender in the first weeks, it is important not to skip brushing. With a soft-bristled brush, brush above and below the brackets separately and clean between the brackets with an interdental brush. A floss threader can be used to pass floss under the wire. For details, you can read our article on oral and dental care with fixed braces.

Check-up days

In fixed treatment, check-ups take place at intervals set by your orthodontist. At these appointments the wires may be changed, the ties renewed or, depending on the stage of treatment, elastics started. A slight feeling of pressure may return for a day or two after a check-up. Not missing your appointments is important for treatment to progress according to plan. For information on elastics, see our article how are orthodontic elastics worn?

When should you call the clinic?

• If a bracket has come off or is moving on the wire,
• If a wire end is poking your cheek or gum and wax is not enough,
• If the wire has come out, broken or a part has come off,
• If tenderness lasts longer than a few days or keeps getting worse,
• If there is gum swelling, marked bleeding or a sore that does not heal.

Most of these situations are not urgent, but you need to let the clinic know. For what you can do at home, see our orthodontic emergencies page. In a medical emergency such as difficulty breathing, coughing or shortness of breath after swallowing a part, rapidly increasing swelling of the face or a serious injury, call 112.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the tenderness last?

For most patients it is noticeable for the first few days and then eases. It may return briefly after check-up appointments. If tenderness lasts a long time or increases, consult the clinic.

Where can I get orthodontic wax?

Wax is usually given at the start of treatment; when it runs out you can get it from the clinic or from pharmacies.

Can I go straight back to school or work?

Usually yes. You can carry on with daily life after the fitting; choosing soft foods in the first days may simply make you more comfortable.

For questions, you can call 0312 911 60 36 or use the form on the contact page.

This page is for general information only; diagnosis and the treatment plan are determined by an examination and your orthodontist's assessment.