Patient resource
Caring for your braces.
The daily-care basics, the foods worth avoiding, and what to do when something goes sideways between appointments.
Daily care
Four habits. Every day.
- Brush after mealsBrush after every meal and snack, not just morning and night. Use a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste, and angle the bristles so they get in around the brackets and under the wire, which is where plaque hides.
- Floss dailyFloss every day with a threader or an orthodontic flosser so you can get under the archwire. A water flosser makes this much faster if your teenager will not do the threading.
- Rinse with mouthwashA fluoride or antimicrobial rinse reaches what the brush misses and helps keep the enamel around each bracket strong, which is what stops the white marks nobody wants at debond.
- Attend appointmentsKeep your adjustment appointments. Missed appointments are the single most common reason treatment runs longer than it needed to.
Foods
What to avoid, what to choose.
The categories below cover most of the questions we hear. When in doubt, slice it small.
Hard foods, avoidIce, hard candy, nuts, popcorn kernels, hard pretzels, raw carrots (cut them small), apples (slice them), corn on the cob (cut off the cob).
Sticky foods, avoidCaramel, taffy, gummy bears, chewing gum, fruit snacks, licorice, Starburst, and any candy that sticks to teeth and brackets.
Safe choicesSoft fruits, yogurt, pasta, cooked vegetables, soft breads, cheese, eggs, fish, mashed potatoes, smoothies, and ice cream.
Habits to breakBiting nails, chewing pens and opening things with your teeth all break brackets, and every broken bracket adds time to treatment.
Troubleshooting
Common issues.
What if a bracket comes loose?
If a bracket comes loose, call our office to schedule a repair. In the meantime, use orthodontic wax to cover the bracket and prevent irritation. If the bracket slides along the wire, leave it in place until your appointment.
What if a wire is poking my cheek?
Use a pencil eraser to gently push the wire flat against the tooth. If that doesn’t work, cover the end with orthodontic wax. Call our office if discomfort continues. Don’t cut the wire yourself.
Is soreness after adjustments normal?
Yes. Mild soreness for 2–3 days after an adjustment is completely normal. Over-the-counter pain relief, soft foods, and warm salt water rinses help. If pain is severe or lasts more than a week, call us.
Something feels off between appointments? Just call.