All About Braces Care and Oral Hygiene
Keeping your teeth and gums healthy is extra important while you have braces. Braces can make cleaning tricky, but with the right habits, you’ll keep your smile bright and healthy from start to finish. Skipping proper care can cause cavities, gum issues, and even make your treatment take longer — so staying consistent really pays off.
Brushing and Flossing with Braces
It’s best to brush your teeth after every meal to get rid of food and plaque around your braces. Floss daily using floss threaders or special orthodontic floss to clean between your teeth and around the wires. Dr. Bob recommends using a fluoride toothpaste and an electric toothbrush during treatment. For patient convenience, both are available for purchase in our office.
If you’re an adult or have a history of gum disease, visiting a periodontist during treatment can help keep your gums extra healthy. Sometimes, if plaque builds up quickly, more frequent professional cleanings might be needed.
Eating with Braces
Wondering what you can eat with braces? For the first few days after getting braces or an adjustment, stick to soft foods like yogurt, pasta, soups, and smoothies. After that, you can enjoy more foods but avoid certain ones to protect your braces:
Chewy foods like gummy bears, taffy, and beef jerky
Crunchy snacks like tortilla chips and raw celery
Sticky treats like honey and taffy
Hard foods like popcorn kernels and jawbreakers
Foods you bite into directly like whole peaches, raw bell peppers, and corn on the cob
Tip: Cut harder fruits and veggies into small pieces and chew with your back teeth. Also, avoid chewing on pens, pencils, or fingernails, these can damage your braces.
Common Experiences During Treatment
Starting orthodontic treatment can feel a bit strange at first, but don’t worry, most new patients experience similar things as their teeth and mouth adjust. Knowing what to expect can help you feel more comfortable and prepared throughout your journey.
Why Do My Teeth and Mouth Feel Sore After Getting Braces?
It’s normal to feel some soreness in your mouth and tenderness in your teeth for 3 to 5 days after braces are placed or adjusted. To ease this discomfort:
Take Tylenol or your preferred over-the-counter pain reliever.
Expect irritation on your lips, cheeks, and tongue for about one to two weeks as they get used to the braces.
Use orthodontic wax on brackets or wires that rub to reduce irritation.
Is It Normal for My Teeth to Feel Loose During Treatment?
Don’t be alarmed if your teeth feel slightly loose, this is part of the treatment process. Teeth need to loosen so they can move into their new positions. After treatment, your teeth will firm up and stay in place.
What Should I Do If a Wire or Band Comes Loose?
If a wire or band comes loose:
Gently push it back under the archwire using the eraser end of a pencil or a similar blunt object to keep it from poking your mouth.
Apply orthodontic wax or a small piece of wet cotton on the wire to ease irritation.
Call our office promptly to schedule a repair appointment.
Why Is Wearing Rubber Bands Important During Treatment?
Rubber bands and other appliances are important to move your teeth and jaws properly. Wearing them exactly as Dr. Robert Mattioli says will help finish your treatment faster. Skipping or inconsistent use can add months to your time in braces.
Can I Play Sports While Wearing Braces?
If you play contact sports, let us know so we can provide a protective mouthguard to keep your smile safe during practices and games.