My lad has gone through what you are describing , your gums will get better and adjust to the brace, bonjela and tlc is what is needed, he now has to wear his brace with rubber bands ?? what these are for I don't know , the hospital said it was to pull his bite together ... It suprised me , having a brace at school is really fashionable, whatever colour you have , its like street cred?? In a nutshell, a nice smile in years to come will get you into places and situations you might enjoy , look after them !! ;-)