“Will it hurt?” This simple question, asked countless times at orthodontic consultations, represents the single biggest barrier preventing people from starting the smile transformation they’ve been imagining for years. The fear of pain—whether from adjustments, tooth movement, or simply having appliances in your mouth—can feel overwhelming enough to indefinitely delay treatment.
At The London Smile Clinic in London’s West End, Dr Pratik Sharma—a GDC-registered Specialist in Orthodontics—understands this anxiety intimately. Over more than two decades and 25,000+ smile straightening cases, the clinic has refined an approach that prioritizes patient comfort whilst maintaining transparency about what orthodontic treatment genuinely feels like. The answer to “will it hurt?” is nuanced, but ultimately reassuring.
In this honest guide, we’ll explore six fundamental truths about orthodontic discomfort, separating myth from reality and providing you with realistic expectations so you can move forward with confidence rather than fear.
Truth #1: Initial Discomfort Is Normal and Temporary (But Manageable)
Let’s address this directly: yes, orthodontic treatment typically involves some discomfort, particularly in the first few days and after adjustments. However—and this is crucial—discomfort is not the same as pain, and the sensations you’ll experience are both predictable and manageable.
What initial discomfort actually feels like:
- Pressure and tenderness: Your teeth will feel tender to touch and pressure, particularly when biting down on food. This is a sign the orthodontic forces are working, gently stimulating the bone remodeling process that enables tooth movement
- Mouth awareness: You’ll be very aware of having braces or aligners in your mouth for the first few days—a sensation of something “foreign” that your mouth hasn’t adapted to yet
- Possible cheek or tongue irritation: Fixed braces may cause minor rubbing against the soft tissues of your mouth until your cheeks and lips toughen slightly
The reassuring reality:
This initial discomfort typically peaks within 24-48 hours and then diminishes rapidly. By day three or four, most patients report significant improvement, and by the end of the first week, you’ve largely adapted. Dr Pratik Sharma’s patient-centred approach includes preparing you thoroughly for these sensations during your fitting appointment, so you know exactly what to expect and when to expect improvement.
Managing initial discomfort:
- Over-the-counter pain relief (paracetamol or ibuprofen) as directed is usually sufficient
- Soft foods for the first few days reduce pressure on tender teeth
- Orthodontic wax provided by the clinic can be applied to any brackets causing irritation
- Rinsing with warm salt water can soothe any minor mouth irritation
The London Smile Clinic’s culture of empathy means you’re never left to struggle alone. The team provides detailed guidance on managing discomfort, and you’re encouraged to contact the practice if you have any concerns during your adjustment period.
Truth #2: Different Systems Have Different Comfort Profiles
One of the advantages of consulting a Specialist Orthodontist like Dr Sharma, who has extensive experience with all modern orthodontic systems, is receiving guidance about which option offers the best balance of effectiveness and comfort for your individual case.
Invisalign clear aligners:
Invisalign is generally considered the most comfortable orthodontic option for several reasons. The smooth plastic aligners don’t have brackets or wires that can irritate soft tissues. Each new aligner applies gentle, controlled forces, and you’ll typically experience mild pressure for the first day or two after switching to a new aligner, then comfort for the remainder of the wear period.
However, some patients experience temporary pressure points where attachments (small tooth-coloured bumps) press against the aligner. The removability of Invisalign also means you can temporarily remove aligners during meals, giving your teeth periodic relief.
Fixed braces (metal or ceramic):
Traditional fixed braces involve an adjustment period as your cheeks, lips, and tongue adapt to having brackets bonded to your teeth. The first week requires the most adaptation. After adjustment appointments, when the wire is changed or tightened, you’ll experience 1-2 days of renewed tenderness.
Modern fixed braces use much lighter forces than orthodontics of decades past, making them significantly more comfortable than the braces your parents may have experienced. The wires are designed to apply continuous gentle pressure rather than heavy forces.
Lingual braces:
Lingual braces (fitted behind the teeth) have a more significant initial adjustment period because your tongue constantly contacts the brackets. Speech may be affected for 2-4 weeks whilst your tongue adapts. However, once you’ve adjusted, many patients find lingual braces comfortable because the brackets are positioned away from cheeks and lips.
Dr Sharma’s specialist training enables him to assess which system is clinically appropriate for your case, and his extensive experience with all options means he can provide honest guidance about the comfort considerations of each approach.
Truth #3: Adjustment Appointments Cause Temporary Sensitivity
For patients with fixed braces, periodic adjustment appointments—typically every 6-8 weeks—involve changing wires or making other modifications to continue tooth movement. These appointments are generally quick and painless whilst you’re in the chair, but many patients experience renewed tenderness in the 24-48 hours following adjustments.
What happens during and after adjustments:
- The appointment itself is not painful: Dr Sharma removes the old wire, makes any necessary modifications to brackets or attachments, and places a new wire. This process doesn’t hurt
- Post-adjustment tenderness: As the new wire begins applying forces to move teeth into their next positions, you’ll experience renewed pressure and tenderness similar to the initial fitting
- Predictable timeline: This post-adjustment discomfort follows the same pattern as initial discomfort—peaks within 24-48 hours, then rapidly diminishes
Why this matters:
Understanding this pattern allows you to plan strategically. If you have an important event—a wedding, major presentation, or special celebration—you can schedule adjustment appointments accordingly, avoiding the 1-2 day period of increased tenderness. Dr Sharma’s patient-centred approach includes working with you to schedule appointments around your life commitments.
For Invisalign patients, changing to a new aligner every 1-2 weeks creates a milder version of this same cycle—brief pressure when starting a new aligner, then comfort for the remainder of that aligner’s wear period.
Truth #4: Your Mouth Adapts Remarkably Quickly
One of the most reassuring aspects of orthodontic treatment is the human body’s extraordinary capacity for adaptation. What feels foreign and uncomfortable in week one becomes barely noticeable by week three.
The adaptation timeline:
- Days 1-3: Most acute awareness of appliances, peak discomfort
- Days 4-7: Significant improvement, beginning to feel more normal
- Weeks 2-3: Substantial adaptation, appliances feel much less intrusive
- Week 4+: New normal established, minimal ongoing discomfort
This adaptation isn’t just psychological—your soft tissues genuinely toughen slightly in response to contact with braces, and your brain begins to filter out the constant sensory input from orthodontic appliances, much like you stop noticing the feeling of clothing against your skin throughout the day.
Dr Sharma’s extensive experience treating over 25,000 cases at The London Smile Clinic means he can reassure you with confidence that the initial adjustment period, whilst real, is temporary. Countless patients who initially wondered if they could tolerate treatment are now enjoying their straight smiles and barely remember the brief adjustment phase.
Truth #5: Modern Orthodontics Is Significantly More Comfortable Than Ever Before
If your mental image of orthodontic treatment is based on stories from parents or older siblings who wore braces decades ago, you’re working with severely outdated information. Orthodontic technology has advanced dramatically, with comfort being a major focus of innovation.
Modern orthodontic advances that enhance comfort:
- Lighter forces: Contemporary wires are designed to apply continuous, gentle pressure rather than the heavy forces used historically. This achieves tooth movement more comfortably
- Heat-activated wires: Some modern wires respond to mouth temperature, activating gradually rather than applying immediate force
- Smaller brackets: Today’s fixed braces use significantly smaller, lower-profile brackets that are less bulky and cause less soft tissue irritation
- Smooth materials: Modern brackets have rounded edges and polished surfaces designed to minimize irritation
- Digital treatment planning: Invisalign and other systems use sophisticated computer modeling to plan the most efficient tooth movements, reducing treatment time and cumulative discomfort
- Better bonding materials: Contemporary adhesives create stronger, more reliable bonds between brackets and teeth, reducing the incidence of broken brackets that can cause sharp edges
The London Smile Clinic, established in 1999, has witnessed and embraced these technological advances over its 25-year history. The practice consistently invests in the latest orthodontic technologies and techniques that benefit patient comfort and outcomes.
Truth #6: Pain Is a Signal—Communicate with Your Orthodontist
Whilst mild discomfort and pressure are normal parts of orthodontic treatment, significant pain is not. This distinction is important, and Dr Sharma’s patient-centred philosophy emphasizes open communication about your treatment experience.
When to contact your orthodontist:
- Sharp, stabbing pain: Could indicate a broken bracket, protruding wire, or other mechanical problem
- Pain that worsens rather than improves: Normal discomfort should diminish within 2-3 days, not intensify
- Severe headaches or jaw pain: Could suggest excessive forces or bite issues requiring adjustment
- Cuts or sores that don’t heal: Persistent irritation may need orthodontic wax or bracket repositioning
- Pain when you remove aligners: Could indicate an attachment has come loose or the aligner isn’t fitting properly
Dr Sharma’s approach is built on partnership with patients. You’re not expected to silently endure problematic discomfort—you’re encouraged to communicate concerns promptly so adjustments can be made. His extensive training as a Specialist Orthodontist and his hospital consultant experience with complex cases mean he can quickly identify and resolve the source of any unusual pain.
At The London Smile Clinic, you’re never made to feel like you’re “bothering” the practice with concerns. The team’s culture of empathy, established since the clinic’s founding, means your comfort and confidence are genuine priorities, not inconveniences.
How The London Smile Clinic Prioritizes Patient Comfort
Beyond the technical aspects of modern orthodontics, The London Smile Clinic has deliberately cultivated an environment and culture designed to make your treatment experience as comfortable and anxiety-free as possible.
Comfort-focused practice features:
- Calm, welcoming environment: The clinic’s West End location at Clipstone Street offers a “nice looking and clean place with very polite and friendly personal,” as patients consistently note in testimonials
- Empathetic, patient-centred team: The culture isn’t just about clinical excellence—it’s about treating patients as human beings undergoing an emotional journey. Patient testimonials emphasize being “treated like a human being” rather than just a case number
- Clear communication: Dr Sharma takes time during consultations to explain what you’ll experience at each stage, removing the anxiety that comes from uncertainty
- Respect for patient concerns: Anxiety about discomfort is never dismissed or minimized—it’s validated and addressed with practical strategies
The clinic’s team includes practitioners with specific expertise in managing patient anxiety. Dr Zaki Kanaan, the clinic’s implant surgeon, holds diplomas in sedation and hypnosis, reflecting the practice’s sophisticated understanding of anxiety management. Whilst orthodontic treatment itself doesn’t typically require sedation, this depth of expertise in patient comfort permeates the entire team’s approach.
For patients who experience significant dental anxiety, this comfort-focused culture transforms the orthodontic journey from something dreaded into something manageable, even positive.
Dr Sharma’s Approach to Managing Patient Concerns
Dr Pratik Sharma’s credentials as a GDC-registered Specialist in Orthodontics, his hospital consultant role, and his position teaching other specialists provide unmatched clinical expertise. However, his patient-centred, empathetic approach is equally valuable for nervous patients.
“Adult orthodontic patients often carry years of dental anxiety,” Dr Sharma explains. “Part of my role is demystifying treatment, providing honest information about what to expect, and ensuring patients feel supported throughout their journey. When patients understand that mild discomfort is temporary and manageable, and when they know we’re available to address any concerns, anxiety diminishes significantly.”
His evidence-based approach means treatment plans are designed for optimal efficiency, minimizing overall treatment time and cumulative discomfort. His extensive experience with all orthodontic systems enables him to recommend the option that best balances clinical effectiveness with patient comfort for your individual case.
Practical Tips for Managing Orthodontic Discomfort at Home
Beyond the professional care you’ll receive, there are practical strategies that make orthodontic treatment more comfortable:
Dietary adjustments:
- Embrace soft foods for the first few days and after adjustments (soups, smoothies, pasta, soft fruits)
- Avoid particularly hard or crunchy foods that require significant biting force
- Cut food into smaller pieces to reduce chewing pressure
- Cold foods and drinks can provide soothing relief to tender teeth
Pain management:
- Over-the-counter pain relief as directed by Dr Sharma
- Cold compresses applied to the outside of your jaw can reduce inflammation
- Warm salt water rinses soothe any minor soft tissue irritation
Orthodontic wax:
- Apply wax to any brackets causing irritation until your mouth adapts
- The clinic will provide ample wax and show you how to use it effectively
Communication:
- Keep the clinic informed of any concerns rather than waiting for your next scheduled appointment
- Don’t hesitate to call if something feels wrong—quick adjustments can prevent prolonged discomfort
Your Comfort Is Part of Your Care
The question “will braces hurt?” deserves an honest answer: you’ll experience some discomfort, particularly initially and after adjustments, but this discomfort is temporary, manageable, and far less severe than most people fear. Modern orthodontics has evolved dramatically, with comfort being a central consideration in treatment design.
At The London Smile Clinic, your comfort isn’t an afterthought—it’s woven into every aspect of care. From Dr Pratik Sharma’s patient-centred consultation approach to the team’s culture of empathy, from modern low-force orthodontic systems to the welcoming environment, your experience matters as much as your clinical outcome.
Thousands of patients who initially hesitated due to fear of discomfort are now enjoying straight, confident smiles and reflecting that the brief adjustment period was far easier than anticipated. The emotional and social benefits of a transformed smile far outweigh the temporary, manageable discomfort of treatment.
Don’t let fear of discomfort delay the smile you deserve for another year. Book a consultation with Dr Pratik Sharma at The London Smile Clinic and discover how comfortable modern orthodontic treatment can be. Call the West End practice or visit the website to begin your journey towards a beautifully aligned smile—with a team that genuinely cares about your comfort every step of the way.
