All About Braces Care and Oral Hygiene
We want your journey with braces to be as smooth and comfortable as possible. Understanding how to care for your braces will help ensure faster progress, fewer emergencies, and a beautiful, healthy smile once treatment is complete.
Brushing and Flossing with Braces
Proper brushing and flossing are more important than ever with braces. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy now is an investment in your future and helps ensure the best results from your orthodontic treatment.
Brushing tips
- Use a soft-bristled, manual, or electric toothbrush.
- Brush after every meal for at least two minutes, covering all tooth surfaces — front, back, and chewing surfaces.
- Tilt the brush toward the gum line around brackets (up for top teeth, down for bottom teeth) to remove trapped food particles.
- Consider special tools like an interdental brush or water flosser for hard-to-reach areas.
Flossing tips
- Floss at least once per day.
- Use a floss threader to get under the archwire and clean between teeth and gums.
Eating with Braces
One of the most common questions we get is:
“What can I eat with braces?”
For the first day or two after an adjustment, stick to soft foods while your teeth adjust. Avoid tough meats, hard breads, and raw vegetables. As you adapt, you’ll be able to enjoy more foods again, but you’ll always need to protect your orthodontic appliances when eating.
Foods to Avoid
To prevent damage and keep treatment on track, avoid foods that are hard, sticky, chewy, or crunchy, such as:
- Chewy foods: hard bread, bagels
- Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice, chips
- Sticky foods: caramel chews, taffy, gum
- Hard foods: nuts, jawbreakers, hard candies
- Foods you bite into: whole apples, corn on the cob, raw carrots
Also, avoid chewing on pens, pencils, or fingernails; these can break brackets or bend wires. Damaged braces can delay progress and lead to additional appointments.
General Soreness and Discomfort
Mild soreness is normal for 3–5 days after getting braces or after adjustments. Teeth may feel tender, and lips, cheeks, or tongue may feel irritated.
Managing discomfort:
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever as needed.
- Apply orthodontic wax to the brackets causing irritation.
- Eat soft foods until your mouth adapts.
Loosening of Teeth, Wires, or Bands
It’s normal for teeth to feel slightly loose as they move into new positions.
If a wire or band comes loose:
- Gently push a poking wire back with a blunt object (like a pencil eraser).
- Apply orthodontic wax or a small piece of wet cotton for relief.
- Call our office for a repair appointment.
Rubber Band Wear
Rubber bands guide teeth and jaws into proper alignment.
- Wear exactly as prescribed.
- Replace them frequently.
- Consistency is key — skipping days can extend your treatment.
Athletics and Mouthguards
If you play sports, let our team know. We provide mouthguards to protect your teeth and braces. Always wear it during contact or high-impact activities.
Daily Maintenance and Professional Care
Maintaining good oral hygiene is critical during orthodontic treatment. Appliances trap food and make plaque harder to remove, which can lead to cavities or gum disease.
- Brush and floss as outlined above.
- Consider interdental brushes, water flossers, or specialized floss products.
- For retainers, clean daily and never use hot water.
Throughout orthodontic treatment, your general dentist still plays an important role. Regular checkups and cleanings help maintain healthy teeth while your bite is being corrected. Your orthodontic treatment is a team effort between you, our office, and your dentist, all working together for your winning smile.