The placement of bands and brackets on your teeth does not hurt. Once your braces are placed and archwires are inserted for the first time, you may feel some soreness of your teeth for several days as they begin to move. This initial discomfort is sometimes experienced immediately following subsequent adjustments to the braces as well, but subsides relatively quickly, usually within one to four days. Your lips and cheeks may need one to two weeks to adjust to the braces when they are initially placed, as well. Soreness of the teeth usually responds well to over-the-counter pain relievers (Advil, Aleve, Tylenol) as needed, and wax may be used to cover any irritating components of the braces.