Braces are a common orthodontic treatment for achieving a healthier, aligned smile, but they require a shift in daily habits for successful treatment. This involves a practical approach to oral hygiene, diet, and managing occasional discomfort. Understanding how to maintain your appliance and navigate everyday life is the foundation for achieving the desired outcome.
Daily Care and Oral Hygiene
Maintaining a strict cleaning regimen is paramount because braces create numerous small spaces where food debris and plaque accumulate, increasing the risk of enamel decalcification. Brushing should occur after every meal and snack, using a soft-bristled orthodontic toothbrush or an electric brush head designed to clean around the brackets. The technique involves angling the brush at 45 degrees toward the gum line to clean the area above the brackets, then angling it 45 degrees toward the chewing surface to clean below them.
This careful, two-angle method ensures both the tooth surface and the bracket are thoroughly cleaned, a process that should last at least two minutes per session. Specialized tools are required to clean areas a standard brush cannot reach, such as interdental brushes that fit beneath the archwire and between the brackets. Flossing must be done daily, typically with a floss threader or specialized orthodontic floss, to maneuver the strand under the main wire and clean between the teeth.
Rinsing is an important final step to dislodge remaining particles and help prevent white spots on the enamel, which result from mineral loss around the bracket edges. A fluoride-containing mouthwash strengthens the enamel and fights plaque buildup in hard-to-reach areas. If you cannot brush immediately after eating, vigorously swishing water around your mouth provides a quick, temporary clean until you can perform a full brushing.
Dietary Adjustments and Food Safety
Protecting the brackets and wires from damage requires specific changes to eating habits, focusing on avoiding foods that are hard, sticky, or excessively chewy. Hard foods like nuts, ice, hard candies, and popcorn kernels pose a significant threat because biting down on them can snap an archwire or dislodge a bracket. Sticky items can wrap around the hardware and pull the brackets off, or become lodged in the appliance, making thorough cleaning difficult.
Very chewy foods like bagels, hard rolls, and tough meats can bend the wires or loosen the bands around the back molars. Food items that require biting directly into them with front teeth, such as whole apples or raw carrots, should be cut into small, manageable pieces before consumption. This allows chewing with the back teeth, minimizing stress on the front brackets and wires.
It is advisable to limit sugary and acidic beverages, like sodas and sports drinks, as sugar easily becomes trapped around the brackets. This trapped sugar ferments, producing acids that erode the tooth enamel, leading to decay or permanent staining. If these drinks are consumed, using a straw minimizes contact with the braces, and the mouth should be rinsed with water immediately afterward.
Managing Discomfort and Orthodontic Issues
Initial discomfort is normal after the braces are first placed or after adjustment appointments, typically presenting as general soreness in the teeth and jaw. This can be managed effectively with over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. The soft tissues of the mouth often become irritated as they rub against the new metal hardware.
For localized irritation, orthodontic wax is used as a temporary cushioning barrier. To apply the wax, clean your hands, tear off a small, pea-sized piece, and roll it between your fingers to soften it. After drying the specific bracket or wire causing the irritation, press the wax firmly over the spot to create a smooth surface, allowing the mouth to heal underneath.
If a wire comes loose or begins poking the cheek or gum, temporary measures can be taken before seeing the orthodontist. For a poking wire, gently push it back into a comfortable position using a clean cotton swab or the eraser end of a pencil. If the wire cannot be repositioned and causes pain, apply a small piece of wax immediately to cover the sharp end.
A loose bracket that has detached from the tooth but is still connected to the archwire should be left in place and covered with wax if it is causing irritation. Attempting to fix major hardware issues yourself is not recommended; instead, call your orthodontist immediately to schedule a repair, as delays can lengthen the overall treatment time. Following instructions for wearing prescribed accessories, such as rubber bands or headgear, is also an active step in management, as non-compliance can prevent the teeth from moving correctly.