All About Braces Care and Tips for a Healthy Smile
Braces are an investment in your smile, and proper care is key to making your treatment effective and comfortable. At Gather Orthodontics, we provide guidance to help you protect your teeth, gums, and appliances throughout your orthodontic journey.
Brushing and Flossing with Braces
Maintaining oral hygiene is more important than ever when you have braces. Proper brushing and flossing help prevent cavities, gum disease, and additional dental visits.
Brush after every meal to remove food debris
Floss daily using a floss threader or orthodontic floss
Adults with a history of gum disease should continue seeing a periodontist during treatment
Following these habits can reduce complications and keep your teeth healthy throughout orthodontic care.
Eating with Braces
Life with braces doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorite foods entirely, but some adjustments are necessary.
Soft Foods After Adjustments
Stick to soft foods for the first day or two after an adjustment
Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods that can damage braces
Foods to Avoid
Chewy foods: beef jerky, flour tortillas, taffy
Crunchy foods: tortilla chips, ice, pretzels
Sticky foods: pecan pie, gummy bears, honey buns
Hard foods: barbecue rib bones, jawbreakers, sunflower seeds
Foods you bite into: whole pickles, fresh corn on the cob, raw celery
Avoid chewing on pens, pencils, or fingernails, as these habits can damage appliances and extend treatment time.
Managing Soreness
After getting braces, your teeth and mouth may feel tender for a few days. Lips, cheeks, and tongue may also become irritated as they adjust.
Use over-the-counter pain relief like Tylenol if needed
Apply orthodontic wax to braces in areas causing irritation
Most discomfort improves within 1–2 weeks
Understanding Tooth Movement
It’s normal for teeth to feel slightly loose during treatment. This loosening is necessary for teeth to move into their corrected positions. Once treatment is complete, teeth firm up in their new alignment.
Handling Loose Wires or Bands
Occasionally, a wire or band may come loose. If a wire sticks out and irritates your mouth:
Carefully push it back under the archwire using a blunt tool (like a pencil eraser)
Apply orthodontic wax or wet cotton to reduce discomfort
Call our office promptly to have the appliance checked and repaired
Rubber Band Wear
Successful orthodontic treatment requires cooperation. Consistently wearing rubber bands or other prescribed appliances ensures teeth and jaws move as planned. Ignoring instructions or damaging appliances can lengthen treatment time.
Braces and Athletics
If you play sports, let us know. We provide protective mouthguards for contact sports to keep your teeth and braces safe during play.