Life With Braces

Living with braces is easy once you know the basics: brush after every meal, floss daily with a floss threader or water flosser, avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods, and use orthodontic wax for any spot that feels rough. A little care keeps your treatment comfortable and on schedule.

Getting braces is a big step toward a healthier smile, and adjusting to life with them is simpler than you might expect. With a few good habits, you can keep your teeth clean, stay comfortable, and avoid setbacks that lengthen treatment. Here is everything you need to know to make life with braces smooth and stress-free.

Keeping Your Teeth and Braces Clean

Brushing is your most important daily habit. We recommend brushing four times a day: after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and before bed. Food can collect around brackets and wires and turn into plaque, so take your time and brush thoroughly. For flossing, use a reusable floss threader to guide floss under the archwire, or ask us about a water flosser as an easy alternative.

Eating With Braces

In the first few days, stick to soft foods while your mouth adjusts. After that, you can eat most things, as long as you steer clear of foods that can damage your braces.

Foods to avoid:

• Chewy foods like bagels, hard rolls, and licorice
• Crunchy foods like popcorn and ice
• Sticky foods like caramel and gum
• Hard foods like nuts and hard candy
• Foods you bite into, such as corn on the cob, whole apples, and raw carrots (cut them into pieces instead)

Handling Soreness and Minor Issues

It is normal for your teeth to feel tender for a day or two after braces are placed or adjusted. Soft foods and over-the-counter pain relief usually do the trick, and the soreness fades quickly. If a wire is poking you, you can gently tuck it back with the eraser end of a pencil and cover it with orthodontic wax for comfort. If a bracket or wire comes loose, call us so we can take a look.

Wearing Your Rubber Bands and Mouthguard

If we prescribe rubber bands (elastics), wearing them exactly as directed is essential, since they do important work to correct your bite. Skipping them can add months to your treatment. If you play contact sports, we provide a protective mouthguard so you can stay active and keep your braces safe.