Dra. Cléo Salustiano In this article
SummaryStep by stepDo braces hurt, and how many days does the soreness last?When do braces start working, and how should you care for them in the first weeks?FAQRead nextGetting braces put on: what happens, how long it hurts and when they start working
Quick summary of this article+
Getting fixed braces does not hurt at the time: brackets are bonded, the wire is placed and you leave with instructions. Soreness starts hours later, peaks between day one and three and improves during the first week. Teeth start moving in the first weeks, with visible changes in one to three months. Adjustment visits and hygiene determine progress.
Fixed braces are put on in a single visit, without anesthesia, and the appointment is usually calmer than people expect. The brackets are bonded one by one, the wire is placed and you leave with hygiene and diet instructions. Soreness appears a few hours later, when the teeth start feeling the wire's force, and usually eases over the first days.
In clinical practice, the same questions come up again and again: does it hurt during placement, how many days does the soreness last, how long after the records appointment are braces placed, are the lower braces placed together with the upper ones, and when do teeth start to move. Many adults also ask whether they are too old for braces.
In this article, Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844), who offers fixed braces and Invisalign in Mooca, East Zone of São Paulo, explains how placement works, what to expect in the first weeks and how to handle common discomfort.
This article comes from Dr. Cléo Salustiano's dental office in Mooca, São Paulo (care in English, Portuguese and Spanish). See the braces and invisalign page to learn how the treatment is done here and book your assessment.
Step by step
- Records and planning. Before placement, photos, X-rays and impressions or a scan are taken. With them, the dentist chooses the type of braces, bracket positions and treatment sequence.
- Cleaning and preparing the teeth. The teeth are cleaned and conditioned to help bonding. The mouth is kept dry with lip retractors and suction, which may be the most tiring part of the visit.
- Bonding the brackets. Each bracket is carefully positioned and bonded with a light-cured material. Tubes or bands may be used on the back teeth.
- Placing the wire. The initial wire, usually thin and flexible, is fitted into the brackets and held with elastic ties or by the bracket's own clip in self-ligating systems.
- Final instructions. You receive guidance on brushing, diet, orthodontic wax and what to do if a bracket comes loose, plus the date of the next adjustment.
Do braces hurt, and how many days does the soreness last?
Getting braces put on does not hurt at the time, because bonding involves no needles or drilling. Soreness starts a few hours later as pressure and tenderness when chewing, is usually strongest between day one and day three and improves during the first week. After adjustments, when the wire is changed or activated, a similar feeling may return for a day or two.
This happens because the wire applies a light, continuous force, and the ligament holding each tooth reacts with temporary inflammation that is needed for movement. Lips and cheeks may also be irritated by the brackets until they adapt. Soft, cold foods and orthodontic wax help, and a common pain reliever recommended by the dentist is usually enough when needed.
The time between records and placement depends on scheduling and planning, usually from a few days to a few weeks. Upper and lower braces are often placed in the same visit; sometimes the dentist starts with one arch and adds the other later because of the bite or space. There is no upper age limit as long as teeth and gums are healthy; for children, a first orthodontic check around age 7 is commonly recommended.
When do braces start working, and how should you care for them in the first weeks?
Braces begin moving teeth in the first weeks, but visible changes usually appear after one to three months, depending on the case. Front-tooth crowding often improves first; bite correction and space closure take longer, and full treatment usually lasts one to three years. Regular adjustment visits, usually monthly, keep treatment on track.
Hygiene needs extra attention, since food and plaque collect around brackets and can cause white spots, decay and gum inflammation. Use an orthodontic toothbrush, interdental brushes and floss threaders, and brush after every meal. Avoid hard and sticky foods, cut firm foods into small pieces and do not bite pens or nails. If a bracket comes loose or the wire pokes, use wax and contact the office.
In Mooca, Dr. Cléo Salustiano offers conventional and self-ligating braces and Invisalign aligners, with adjustments and emergency care every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., including Sundays and holidays, near Bresser-Mooca subway station, in Portuguese, English and Spanish.
Does getting braces hurt?
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Not during placement. Brackets are bonded without needles or drilling; the most tiring part is keeping your mouth open. Tenderness appears a few hours later as pressure when chewing and is strongest in the first two or three days. Soft foods, orthodontic wax and, if needed, a pain reliever recommended by the dentist help.
How many days do braces hurt after placement?
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Soreness usually lasts three to seven days and is strongest between day one and day three. After each adjustment, when the wire is changed or activated, there may be one or two days of tenderness. Severe pain that does not improve or sores that do not heal should be checked at the office.
When do braces start working?
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Teeth begin to move in the first weeks, but visible changes usually appear between one and three months, depending on the case. Alignment of the front teeth is often noticed first; bite correction and closing spaces take longer. Attending adjustment visits keeps treatment on schedule.
How long after the records appointment are braces put on?
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It depends on scheduling and planning, but it is usually a few days to a few weeks. Once records are ready, the dentist analyzes them, chooses the type of braces and books the bonding. Sometimes cavities or a cleaning must be handled first, which can delay the start slightly.
Are lower braces put on at the same time as upper braces?
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Often, yes. In some cases the dentist starts with one arch and places the other after a few weeks or months, because the bite may hit the lower brackets or space needs to be created first. The timing is defined during planning.
What is the right age for braces?
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There is no upper age limit: adults with healthy teeth and gums can wear braces. For children, a first orthodontic assessment is commonly recommended around age 7 to spot growth issues. Full fixed braces are usually placed after the permanent teeth have come in, but each case is assessed individually.
Where can I get braces in Mooca, São Paulo?
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In Mooca, Dr. Cléo Salustiano (CRO-SP 170844) sees patients at Rua Hipódromo, 1141, every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., including Sundays and holidays. The assessment helps choose between conventional braces, self-ligating braces or Invisalign, and the office handles adjustments and issues such as loose brackets.
