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Teen Braces Survival Guide

Making Smiles Inside & Out

Smiling Woman
  • Robert Stoner Orthodontics
  • July 7, 2025

Everything You Need to Know to Rock Your Smile Journey

Getting braces as a teen is a big step, and we’re here to make sure you feel confident, informed, and ready for the ride. At Robert Stoner Orthodontics, we know that braces are more than just wires and brackets—they’re a journey to a better, brighter smile.

Whether you’ve just gotten your braces or you’re counting down the days until they come off, this Teen Braces Survival Guide has everything you need to thrive along the way.

What to Expect When You First Get Braces

Let’s be honest, the first few days with braces might feel a little weird. You’re adjusting to new hardware in your mouth, and your teeth may feel sore as they start shifting. Don’t worry, this is totally normal and only temporary!

Pro tips for the first week:

  • Stick to soft foods like smoothies, pasta, mashed potatoes, and yogurt.
  • Use orthodontic wax to cover any spots where brackets rub your cheeks or lips.
  • Rinse with warm salt water to soothe sore gums.
  • Take over-the-counter pain relievers (with a parent’s permission) if needed.

Braces-Friendly Foods

Yes, you’ll need to make a few changes to your snacking habits, but it’s easier than you think. Avoiding hard, sticky, or chewy foods helps protect your braces and keeps your treatment on track.

Eat this instead of that:

  • Soft fruit (bananas, berries) instead of apples (unless sliced thin)
  • Mac & cheese instead of crunchy chips
  • Smoothies instead of chewy candy
  • Soft tacos instead of hard shells

Keeping Your Braces (& Teeth!) Clean

Great oral hygiene is everything during braces. Food and plaque love to hide around brackets, so staying on top of brushing and flossing is a must.

Your daily routine:

  • Brush after every meal using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
  • Use an interdental brush or water flosser to clean around brackets and wires.
  • Floss once a day using a floss threader or orthodontic flossers.
  • Rinse with fluoride mouthwash to keep your enamel strong and your breath fresh.

Dealing with Emergencies

Sometimes brackets break or wires poke—it happens! If you experience any discomfort or damage, give us a call and we’ll get you in ASAP. In the meantime:

  • Use wax to cover poking wires.
  • Gently push a wire back into place with a clean pencil eraser.
  • If a bracket is loose but still attached, leave it in place and avoid hard foods.

Staying Confident with Braces

It’s completely normal to feel a little self-conscious at first, but remember—braces are temporary, and your new smile is worth it. Plus, you’re not alone. Tons of teens go through this, too!

Confidence boosters:

  • Customize your look with colorful bands—match your school colors, sports team, or the season!
  • Practice smiling in the mirror to get used to your new look.
  • Keep your eye on the prize—a straight, confident smile that lasts a lifetime.

How to Stay on Track

The more consistent you are with your care, the smoother (and possibly shorter!) your treatment will be.

  • Don’t skip appointments—they’re key to progress.
  • Wear any rubber bands or appliances exactly as instructed.
  • Follow your orthodontist’s advice (we promise, we know what we’re doing!).

Your Braces, Your Smile, Your Story

At Robert Stoner Orthodontics, we’re here to make your braces experience positive, personalized, and even fun. Whether you’re in Greensboro or Summerfield, our team is always just a call or visit away.

Got questions? Need a quick fix? Or just want to show off your progress? We’re here for it all. Schedule your next check-up or ask us anything—we’re your smile squad!

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Get started today

The first step toward achieving a beautiful, healthy smile is to request a complimentary orthodontic consultation with Dr. Stoner.

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Our 5-Star Experience

We are passionate about serving our patients with the highest level of care possible. Check out what our patients are saying about their 5-star experience with us!

Carrie R.
Dr. Stoner and staff were excellent. I got Invisalign and they were patient and thorough throughout the whole process. I appreciate their care so much I even sent my son to them for his braces. Highly recommend.
Nat C.
Amazing work!! You will love your smile😁🩷🩷
Amy S.
Very friendly and attentive staff! I would recommend their orthodontic services to anyone!
Hailey K.
The best ever!! Dr Stoner is always amazing. All the girls here are the sweetest ever! I recommend them to everyone!
Kim “Kim K.
Hands down the best in the state of NC. My almost 5 year experience. The staff is amazing and always go above and beyond to make sure not only your smile is gonna be amazing but also your overall dental care is taken care by partnering with your dentist. I can’t say enough about Dr. Stoner and the amazing staff. Wish i could give them 100/100.
Gentle G.
I recently completed my braces treatment with Robert Stoner, and I absolutely love my smile! From start to finish, my experience was excellent. Dr. Stoner and his team were always professional, kind, and patient. They explained everything clearly and made sure I was comfortable at every visit.

The office runs smoothly, appointments were always on time, and the staff made me feel welcome at every step. The results speak for themselves I couldn’t be happier with how my smile turned out!

If you’re thinking about getting braces, I highly recommend Robert Stoner and his team. They truly care about their patients and the results.
Jean B.
I searched until I found this group of angels at Stoner Orthodontics. I started with braces and was very conscious being an 'older' adult but Dr. Stoner and staff are the best at making everyone feel comfortable. The entire experience was great from start to finish and now I would recommend them to the world as the BEST in this business.!!! I can now SMILE with confidence!!
Thanks everyone!!!
beth H.
Can’t say enough about or experience at Stoner Orthodontics! They are so easy to work with and their customer service is amazing!
Krystal M.
Staff was very helpful and working with my schedule. Thank you, Dr. Stoner for making Camdens teeth perfect. Camden smiles more now.
Abby L.
they were so so kind and amazing and very helpful!!
Adriane H.
Today I officially graduated from wearing my retainers. I had a wonderful journey with the whole team. I laughed and had a great time with all the ladies and Dr Stoner. They made me feel comfortable each visit. And I walked away with a beautiful smile!. Thank you to the whole staff for being so awesome!.
Jallon T.
My second time getting braces here and it went amazing! Thank you ! For making my smile perfect again
Emily F.
Working with Dr Stoner and his staff has been a wonderful experience.
The staff has been so kind and so well organized. Dr Stoner was great to explain each process and the outcome of treatment is what we hoped for and more!
Would recommend to anyone anytime to come here!!!
Andrea M.
Very professional and kind. Made my invisalign journey easy.
Valencia H.
I had such a great experience! The entire team is awesome and so happy with my new smile!
Samuel C.
Very nice and supportive people very glad I got my braces done here never felt better
Amber C.
I absolutely love this place. The staff is amazing. Shout out to Leslee for taking care of me, and Lindsey for keeping up with the progress! I came into the office to get my teeth straighter and to loose my gap and Stoner and his team has not disappointed at all. Highly recommend
Amy Q.
We have been at this practice for 10 years with four children. I couldn't imagine being anywhere else for our family's orthodontic treatment. The staff is phenomenal and the care is second to none!! Our smiles say it all!
Iris M.
Dr. Stoner and his associates are the best. I came in with teeth spreaded out in all directions. I’m happy to say they are now all perfect and straight. They are the best and I’m truly happy and grateful!
Amie C.
Great experience - the entire team is a friendly, helpful. They are easy to work with and have made this experience exceptional.
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Come visit us

We have two locations conveniently located in the Greensboro area. We look forward to meeting you and your family soon!

GREENSBORO

  • 1304 Beaman Place Greensboro, NC 27408

SUMMERFIELD

  • 6161 Lake Brandt Rd. Suite D Greensboro, NC 27455

Phone

  • (336) 274-7649

Office Hours

Monday7:30am – 4:30pm
Tuesday7:30am – 4:30pm
Wednesday7:30am – 4:30pm
Thursday7:30am – 4:30pm
Friday8:00am – 1:00pm
Summerfield
Greensboro
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