Taking care of braces means keeping your teeth clean, eating the right foods, and seeing your orthodontist regularly. Good braces care helps your treatment work faster and keeps your teeth healthy. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, proper care during treatment includes periodic visits to the orthodontist and more frequent toothbrushing along with daily flossing. With the right habits, you can avoid problems and get the best results from your treatment.
This guide covers everything you need to know about caring for your braces. You’ll learn how to brush and floss properly, what foods to eat and avoid, and how to handle common problems. Following these simple steps will help you get a beautiful, healthy smile.
Why Braces Care Matters So Much
Caring for your braces is one of the most important parts of your treatment. Four million Americans, mainly teens (80%), wear braces, and proper care makes all the difference in getting great results.
What Happens Without Good Care
Poor braces care can cause serious problems. Food and bacteria get trapped around brackets and wires, leading to:
- White spots on teeth that never go away
- Cavities and tooth decay
- Swollen, bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Treatment that takes longer
- Extra dentist visits
White Spot Lesions are PERMANENT white SCARS that NEVER go away. They are the start of a cavity or hole in your tooth. These problems are easy to prevent with good daily care.
The Benefits of Proper Care
When you take good care of your braces, you get amazing benefits:
- Faster treatment times
- Healthier teeth and gums
- Better final results
- Fewer emergency visits
- A beautiful smile you’ll love
Daily Brushing With Braces
Brushing your teeth becomes more important when you have braces. Braces have countless tiny spaces to trap food, and this trapped food causes plaque, which can lead to many other dental problems.
The Right Way to Brush
Follow these steps for perfect brushing with braces:
Step 1: Get Ready
- Remove any rubber bands or removable parts
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
- We recommend brushing at least 2 minutes, three times a day
Step 2: Clean Your Braces
- Hold your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle
- Brush around each bracket carefully
- Clean above and below the wires
- Use small circular motions
Step 3: Brush Your Teeth
- Clean all tooth surfaces (front, back, and chewing surfaces)
- Pay extra attention to the gum line
- Don’t forget your back teeth
Step 4: Check Your Work
- Look in the mirror for leftover food
- Make sure your braces look clean
- Replace rubber bands if needed
Special Brushing Tips
It is best to brush after every meal (even snacks) to make sure that your teeth and braces are free from food residue. This might seem like a lot of work, but it gets easier with practice.
Keep a travel toothbrush kit with you for brushing after meals when you’re out. If you can’t brush right away, rinse your mouth with water to remove food particles.
Flossing With Braces Made Simple
Many people think flossing with braces is too hard, but it’s actually easy once you learn the right technique. Flossing is crucial to successful orthodontic treatment, and to on-going oral health, as it removes plaque from parts of your teeth that brushing alone can’t reach.
Tools You Need
- Waxed floss (less likely to snag)
- Floss threader or orthodontic floss
- About 18 inches of floss for each session
Step-by-Step Flossing
Method 1: Using a Floss Threader
- Thread floss through the threader
- Guide the threader under the main wire
- Pull floss through and remove the threader
- Pull a small length of floss from the dispenser through the threader and slide it up and down along the front of each tooth
- Move to the next space and repeat
Method 2: Special Orthodontic Floss Some floss products are made just for braces. These have a stiff end that slides under wires easily. Follow the package directions for best results.
Flossing Tips for Success
- Floss at least once a day, preferably at night
- Be gentle around wires and brackets
- Gums may bleed when a child first starts flossing. It is normal for gums to bleed a little after flossing for about a week
- Take your time – it gets faster with practice
Foods That Are Great for Braces
Eating the right foods makes your braces experience much better. Choose soft, easy-to-chew options that won’t damage your brackets or wires.
Perfect Foods for Braces
Soft Fruits and Vegetables
- Bananas, berries, and soft melons
- Steamed vegetables like broccoli and carrots
- Applesauce and other fruit purees
Protein Options
- Soft-cooked chicken, fish, and turkey
- Eggs cooked any way
- Beans and lentils
- Smooth nut butters
Dairy Products
- Yogurt without chunks
- Soft cheeses
- Milk and smoothies
Grains and Starches
- Soft bread and tortillas
- Cooked pasta and rice
- Mashed potatoes
- Pancakes and soft muffins
Smart Eating Tips
Cut hard foods into small pieces instead of biting into them. Start Small: Initially, cut your food into small pieces. This minimizes the need to bite directly with your front teeth. This way, you can still enjoy apples, carrots, and other healthy foods safely.
Foods to Avoid With Braces
Some foods can damage your braces or get stuck in hard-to-clean places. Avoiding these foods helps prevent problems and keeps your treatment on track.
Never Eat These With Braces
Hard Foods
- Hard nuts and seeds can get trapped in your braces, causing discomfort and increasing the risk of damage
- Ice cubes and hard candy
- Popcorn kernels
- Hard pretzels and chips
Sticky Foods
- Caramel and taffy
- Gummy bears and sticky candy
- Chewing gum
Foods That Break Brackets
- Corn on the cob (cut kernels off first)
- Whole apples and raw carrots
- Hard rolls and crusty bread
- Beef jerky and tough meats
Why These Foods Cause Problems
Sticky items can attach to the braces and wires and make cleaning them much more difficult, while anything hard has the propensity to cause damage. When brackets break or wires bend, you need extra appointments and your treatment takes longer.
Using Helpful Tools and Products
The right tools make caring for your braces much easier. These products help you clean better and feel more comfortable.
Must-Have Cleaning Tools
Electric Toothbrush Use an Oral-B® Electric Toothbrush with an Ortho® or Power Tip brush head that’s specially designed to effectively and gently clean around braces. Electric brushes remove more plaque than manual brushes.
Water Flosser A Waterpik®: This tool uses pressurized water to clean food particles out of your braces. It is easy to use and works as an effective supplement to traditional flossing. Use it along with regular flossing for the best results.
Interdental Brushes These tiny brushes fit between braces and teeth to remove stubborn food particles. Interproximal brushes – these are great at dislodging plaque and food particles trapped between teeth, and to clear out debris that catches on brackets and wires.
Comfort Products
Orthodontic Wax Apply wax to brackets that rub against your cheeks or lips. This stops irritation and makes wearing braces more comfortable.
Fluoride Mouthwash Find a fluoride mouthwash as well. Rinse your mouth after brushing with a fluoride mouthrinse for about one minute to help prevent cavities. Use it once a day for extra protection.
Regular Dental Visits During Treatment
Keeping up with dental appointments is super important when you have braces. You need to see both your orthodontist and your regular dentist.
Orthodontist Visits
Visits to the orthodontist to adjust braces or to pick up new aligners, at which time your orthodontist will evaluate the progress of treatment and assess the health of the teeth and gums, will be scheduled about every 6 to 10 weeks.
During these visits, your orthodontist will:
- Tighten wires and adjust brackets
- Check your progress
- Look for any problems
- Give you new rubber bands if needed
Regular Dentist Visits
It’s critical that you continue seeing your family dentist during orthodontic treatment. Your dentist will provide professional cleanings and check-ups. The American Dental Association reports that national dental care expenditures reached $174 billion in 2023, highlighting the importance of maintaining regular dental care. See your dentist every 4-6 months while wearing braces.
Your dentist helps by:
- Cleaning around brackets and wires
- Checking for cavities
- Giving fluoride treatments
- Monitoring gum health
Dealing With Common Braces Problems
Sometimes things go wrong with braces, but most problems are easy to fix. Knowing what to do helps you handle issues quickly.
Loose Brackets or Wires
If a bracket comes loose:
- Don’t panic – this happens sometimes
- Save any loose pieces
- Notify us immediately if you notice a loose bracket, wire or band
- Call your orthodontist right away
- Use orthodontic wax if sharp edges bother you
Discomfort After Adjustments
Some soreness after tightening is normal. Go Soft: Opt for softer foods right after tightening your braces. Think mashed potatoes, yogurts, and smoothies.
To feel better:
- Eat soft foods for a few days
- Use over-the-counter pain medicine
- Rinse with warm salt water
- Apply orthodontic wax to sore spots
Food Stuck in Braces
When food gets stuck:
- Rinse with water first
- Use an interdental brush
- Try a water flosser
- Don’t use sharp objects that might damage your braces
Special Care for Different Types of Braces
Different kinds of braces need slightly different care. Here’s what you need to know for each type.
Metal Braces Care
Traditional metal braces are the most common type. They’re strong and work well for all kinds of tooth problems. Follow all the basic care rules we’ve covered.
Clear Braces Care
The most significant difference in caring for these braces is that they’re more likely to be discolored if neglected. Ceramic is more easily stained than stainless steel because it is porous.
Extra care for clear braces:
- Avoid foods that stain (coffee, tea, red sauce)
- Brush more carefully around ceramic brackets
- Change elastic bands regularly
Lingual Braces Care
Braces on the back of teeth need special attention. Because of their location, lingual braces require special attention to ensure they’re cared for correctly. We recommend cleaning thoroughly to avoid trapped food, plaque buildup, and damage.
Tips for lingual braces:
- Use a smaller toothbrush
- Spend extra time cleaning
- Consider a water flosser for hard-to-reach areas
Building Good Habits for Success
Creating good habits makes braces care automatic. Start these habits right away and stick with them throughout your treatment.
Your Daily Routine
Morning Routine
- Brush thoroughly for 2 minutes
- Use fluoride mouthwash
- Pack your travel toothbrush kit
After Meals
- Brush or rinse with water
- Check for food particles
- Apply wax if needed
Bedtime Routine
- Brush for 2 minutes
- Floss carefully
- Use fluoride rinse
Making It Easier
Set phone reminders for brushing and flossing until it becomes a habit. Keep extra supplies in your car, school locker, or workplace. The easier you make good care, the more likely you’ll stick with it.
Getting Support From Your Orthodontist
Your orthodontist and their team are your best resources for braces care. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or get help when you need it.
At aligned. Orthodontics, we provide complete care instructions and support throughout your treatment. We’re here to help you succeed with your braces journey.
When to Call Your Orthodontist
Contact your orthodontist if you have:
- Broken brackets or loose wires
- Severe pain that doesn’t get better
- Signs of infection or swelling
- Questions about your care routine
Final Thoughts
Caring for your braces doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right techniques, tools, and habits, you can keep your teeth healthy and get amazing results from your treatment.
Remember the key points: brush after every meal, floss daily, avoid hard and sticky foods, and see your orthodontist regularly. These simple steps will help you get the beautiful, healthy smile you want.
Taking care of your braces is an investment in your future smile. The habits you build now will serve you well long after your braces come off. If you’re ready to start your orthodontic journey with expert care and support, contact aligned. Orthodontics in Denver today. We’re here to help you achieve the smile of your dreams while keeping your teeth healthy every step of the way.