How Should I Brush and Floss with Braces?
Keeping your teeth and gums clean is more important than ever during orthodontic treatment. Braces create additional spaces where food particles and plaque can collect, making brushing and flossing more challenging. Patients who do not maintain good oral hygiene may require more frequent professional cleanings. Adults with a history of gum disease may also benefit from seeing a periodontist during treatment.
What Can I Eat with Braces?
For the first few days after getting braces or after an adjustment, soft foods are usually the most comfortable option. As your mouth adjusts, you’ll be able to enjoy many of your favorite foods again. However, certain foods can damage your braces and should be avoided throughout treatment.
Foods to Avoid
- Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
- Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice
- Sticky foods: caramels, gum
- Hard foods: nuts, candy
- Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots
Chewing on hard things (for example, pens, pencils or fingernails) can also damage the braces. Damaged braces will cause treatment to take longer. and may result in additional appointment time
General Soreness
When you get your braces on, you may feel general soreness in your mouth and teeth may be tender to biting pressures for 3 - 5 days. Take Tylenol or whatever you normally take for headache or discomfort. The lips, cheeks and tongue may also become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the braces. Orthodontics wax is an easy way to solve this, we will supply wax to put on the braces in irritated areas to lessen discomfort.
Loosening of Teeth
Yes, your teeth may become a bit loose during treatment. While this is scary, it’s totally normal! This is to be expected throughout treatment. Teeth must loosen first so they can move. The teeth will firm up in their new — corrected — positions after treatment is completed.
Loose Wire or Band
Don’t be alarmed if a wire or band comes loose, this happens occasionally. If a wire sticks out and is irritating, carefully use a blunt instrument (like the eraser end of a pencil) and carefully, gently push the irritating wire back under the archwire. You should only try this if your discomfort becomes unmanageable with only orthodontic wax. Simply get it out of the way. If irritation to the lips or mouth continues, place additional wax or wet cotton on the wire to reduce the annoyance. Call our office as soon as possible for an appointment to check and repair the problem.
Rubber Band Wear
To successfully complete orthodontic treatment, the patient must work together with the orthodontist. The teeth and jaws can only move toward their corrected positions if the patient consistently wears the rubber bands or other appliances as prescribed. Lack of cooperation following instructions and damaged appliances lengthen the treatment time… so please … follow instructions.
Athletics
If you play sports, it’s important you let us know. A protective mouthguard is provided for playing contact sports.
Your Role in a Successful Smile
Orthodontic treatment is a team effort between you, your family, and our team at Reznik Orthodontics. Following care instructions, maintaining excellent oral hygiene, attending scheduled appointments, and protecting your braces from damage all help keep treatment on track and deliver the best possible results.
If you ever have questions about your braces, experience discomfort, or notice a loose appliance, don’t hesitate to contact our office. We’re here to support you every step of the way and help make your orthodontic journey as comfortable and successful as possible.
With proper care and a little patience, you’ll be one step closer to achieving the healthy, confident smile you’ve been waiting for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you’re new to braces or already in treatment, it’s normal to have questions about caring for your smile. Here are answers to some of the most common questions patients ask about life with braces and keeping treatment on track.
How long does it take to get used to braces?
Most patients adjust to their braces within one to two weeks. During this time, you may experience mild soreness or irritation to your lips and cheeks, but these symptoms typically improve as your mouth becomes accustomed to the appliances.
What happens if I accidentally eat something I shouldn't?
Don’t panic. If your braces aren’t damaged, simply brush your teeth thoroughly and continue following your care instructions. If a bracket, wire, or band becomes loose or broken, contact our office so we can evaluate the issue and schedule a repair if needed.
Will braces affect the way I speak?
Some patients notice minor speech changes when they first get braces or begin wearing rubber bands. These changes are usually temporary and improve as your mouth adapts to the appliances.
Can braces treatment take longer than expected?
In some cases, yes. Broken appliances, missed appointments, poor oral hygiene, and inconsistent rubber band wear can all slow treatment progress. Following your orthodontist’s instructions is one of the best ways to stay on schedule.