Life with Braces

Taking Care of Your Braces: Tips for a Healthy, Comfortable Smile

Now that you have your braces, it’s important to know how to take care of them throughout your orthodontic treatment. Proper care will help keep your treatment on track and your smile looking great!

Eating with Braces

Don’t worry — you’ll be enjoying your favorite snacks again soon! But for now, avoid foods that can damage your braces.

Foods to Avoid:

Chewy: bagels, licorice
Crunchy: popcorn, chips, ice
Sticky: caramel, chewing gum
Hard: nuts, hard candies
Biting into: corn on the cob, whole apples or carrots

Foods You CAN Enjoy:

Dairy: soft cheese, pudding, milkshakes
Breads: soft tortillas, pancakes, muffins (without nuts)
Grains: pasta, soft cooked rice
Meats/Poultry: tender chicken, meatballs, deli meats
Seafood: tuna, salmon, crab cakes
Vegetables: mashed potatoes, steamed spinach, beans
Fruits: applesauce, bananas, juice
Treats: ice cream (no nuts), Jell-O, soft cake

Soreness & Tenderness

It’s normal to feel some soreness or tenderness in your teeth and mouth after getting braces. Here’s how to soothe it:

Rinse with warm saltwater (1 teaspoon salt dissolved in 8 oz. lukewarm water) for 1-2 minutes—do not swallow.
Use over-the-counter pain relief if needed.
Lips, cheeks, and tongue might feel irritated for 1-2 weeks as they get used to the braces—ask us for orthodontic wax to ease discomfort.

Loose Teeth? No Worries!

Feeling some looseness? This is totally normal! Braces need to gently loosen teeth so they can move into their new, correct positions. Once moved, your teeth will feel stable again.

Loose Wires or Bands

If a wire or band feels loose or comes off, please contact us to schedule a repair. In the meantime:

Use the back of a pencil eraser to gently push the wire back into place.
Apply orthodontic wax over poking wires to ease irritation.
Save any broken pieces and bring them with you to your appointment.

Take Care of Your Appliances

Damaged appliances can delay your treatment. Be sure to wear your rubber bands, headgear, retainers, or any other devices exactly as prescribed.

Playing Sports with Braces

Great news for athletes — you can still play sports while wearing braces! Just be sure to wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your braces. Need help finding the right mouthguard? Let us know!

If you have a sports injury or damage to your braces, check your mouth immediately. For discomfort, apply wax or rinse with warm saltwater and contact our office as soon as possible.

If you ever have questions or need assistance, we’re here to help! Your comfort and a beautiful smile are our top priorities.