Braces Home Care Tips

Braces create extra surfaces where food and plaque can collect, especially around brackets and along the gumline. Brushing after every meal helps prevent cavities and staining that could show once your braces come off.

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and take your time—two full minutes is ideal. Angle the brush above and below each bracket to clean thoroughly, and don’t forget to brush the chewing surfaces and tongue.

If brushing after every meal isn’t possible, rinse well with water and brush as soon as you can. Keeping your braces clean is one of the most important parts of your treatment.

Daily flossing is essential when you’re in braces, but it looks a little different than usual. You’ll need to use a floss threader, orthodontic flosser, or a water flosser to clean around the wire and between teeth effectively.

Flossing helps remove debris and plaque that your toothbrush can’t reach, especially around the brackets and beneath the gumline. Skipping it can lead to inflamed gums, bad breath, and even permanent enamel damage.

Be patient—it takes practice at first, but it gets easier. A consistent routine will go a long way toward keeping your smile healthy throughout your treatment.

Certain foods can easily damage your braces or get lodged in hard-to-reach areas. Sticky candies, chewing gum, popcorn, nuts, and anything you have to bite into forcefully should be avoided while you’re in treatment.

Even foods that seem safe can cause problems if they’re not prepared properly. Apples and carrots, for example, are fine if they’re cut into small pieces and chewed with your back teeth.

Think in terms of texture—anything crunchy, sticky, or stretchy has the potential to pop off a bracket or bend a wire. Playing it safe will help you avoid extra visits and stay on schedule.

If you play contact or high-impact sports, wearing an orthodontic mouthguard is a must. It protects not only your teeth and gums but also your braces from being damaged during a hit or fall.

Regular athletic mouthguards may not fit well over braces and can actually cause more harm than good. Ask our team for an orthodontic-specific option that’s comfortable and built for your treatment.

Even during practices or pickup games, it’s worth taking the extra step to protect your smile. One custom mouthguard is far better than a broken bracket or dental injury.

Brackets can come loose, wires can poke, and rubber bands may pop off—it happens. What’s important is how quickly we can help get things back on track. If anything feels wrong, call our office and we’ll walk you through next steps.

Minor issues can usually be handled easily with a quick repair. In the meantime, orthodontic wax can reduce discomfort from poking wires or loose parts.

Never try to fix your braces yourself. We’re here to help, and the sooner we know, the faster we can get you smiling comfortably again.