All About Braces Care and Oral Hygiene
When you have braces, taking care of your teeth becomes even more important. Brackets, wires, and other appliances can make cleaning a little trickier, so adjusting your daily routine is essential to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Patients who don’t keep up with proper oral hygiene may need more frequent professional cleanings, and adults with a history of gum disease should continue seeing their dentist or a periodontist during treatment.
Brushing and Flossing with Braces
Brushing
Brush your teeth for two minutes after every meal using a soft-bristled, small-headed toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. You can also use a powered toothbrush for extra effectiveness. Use gentle, circular motions on the front, back, and chewing surfaces of your teeth. Pay extra attention to the areas around brackets and wires.
Flossing
Flossing after every meal helps remove plaque and food particles around your braces. Use a floss threader or special orthodontic floss to get behind each wire. Wrap the ends of the floss around your fingers, slide it gently between teeth, and floss beneath the gum line. If flossing is difficult, ask us about using a water flosser for easier cleaning.
Extra Tips for a Healthy Smile:
Use fluoride toothpaste to strengthen enamel and prevent cavities.
Avoid sticky and sugary foods to reduce plaque buildup.
Rinse with an alcohol-free fluoride mouthwash for extra protection.
Keep regular dental cleanings in addition to your orthodontic visits.
Eating with Braces
Foods to Avoid
Chewy foods: bagels, licorice, hard rolls
Crunchy foods: popcorn, chips, ice
Sticky foods: gum, caramel candies
Hard foods: nuts, hard candy
Foods you bite into: apples, corn on the cob, carrots
Foods You Can Enjoy
Dairy: soft cheese, pudding, milk-based drinks
Breads: soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins (without nuts)
Grains: pasta, soft cooked rice
Meats/Poultry: soft cooked chicken, meatballs, lunch meats
Seafood: tuna, salmon, crab cakes
Vegetables: mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
Fruits: applesauce, bananas, fruit juice
Treats: ice cream without nuts, milkshakes, soft cake, Jell-O
Also, avoid chewing on non-food items like pencils, pens, or fingernails to prevent damage to your braces.
Adjusting to Braces: What to Expect
Soreness
It’s normal to feel some tenderness after getting braces. Your teeth, lips, cheeks, or tongue may be irritated at first. Over-the-counter pain relievers and orthodontic wax can help. Rinsing with warm salt water (one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of lukewarm water) can also soothe soreness.
Loose Teeth
Teeth may feel slightly loose as they begin to shift into their corrected positions. This is temporary, and they will stabilize once treatment progresses.
Loose Wires or Bands
If a wire or band becomes loose or irritating, you can gently push it back with a blunt object like the eraser end of a pencil. Apply wax or a wet cotton ball to reduce discomfort until your next appointment.
Rubber Bands and Other Appliances
Always wear rubber bands, headgear, or other prescribed appliances as instructed. Consistency is crucial to ensure your teeth and jaws move properly and to avoid extending treatment time.
Playing Sports with Braces
You can still play sports while wearing braces! A protective mouthguard is highly recommended to safeguard your teeth and appliances. If an injury occurs, check for loose teeth or damaged braces, apply wax or rinse with warm salt water to relieve discomfort, and contact our office promptly for guidance.