Pain and discomfort are a normal part of orthodontic treatment. The pain tends to occur about 4-6 hours after the braces are placed or after an adjustment appointment. Over the next day or two, the pain will progressively become worse. Then, after days 3-5, the pain will begin to subside. We recommend over-the-counter pain medication (preferably Tylenol) just prior to and after the adjustment appointments. This allows the medication to already be in the system before the pain begins, improving its effectiveness.