Do braces hurt?

Braces do not usually hurt, most patients experience very little soreness by wearing braces. While the actual fitting rarely hurts, the new sensations and pressure against your teeth will cause soreness and aching. You may experience sores on the inside of your gums and lips because the mouth is simply not used to having so much metal or plastic close to the tissues. All of these painful side effects should subside after a couple of weeks.

Your dentist will likely prescribe or recommend an over the counter painkiller to help with the soreness, and you can rinse your mouth out with a saltwater solution to alleviate the pressure and pain. If you do this several times a day, it will keep your mouth and the braces clean and free from bacteria. Chewing and speaking will be tricky at first, but you just have to keep an eye on that end goal – a perfect smile.