The application of braces represents a significant step toward improving dental alignment and correcting bite issues, leading to better oral health. These orthodontic appliances consist of brackets bonded to the teeth and connected by a thin archwire, applying continuous, gentle pressure. The goal is to gradually move teeth into their proper positions over a predetermined treatment period. Committing to orthodontic treatment requires adjusting daily habits, including developing specialized cleaning routines and making changes to one’s diet, to protect the hardware and ensure the best outcome.
Specific Oral Care Techniques
Maintaining a thorough cleaning regimen is important because the brackets and wires create numerous small spaces where food particles and plaque can easily become trapped. Failure to remove this debris can lead to demineralization, resulting in permanent white spots on the enamel once the braces are removed. Therefore, the standard recommendation is to brush the teeth and hardware immediately following every meal or snack.
Specialized tools assist in this process, starting with a soft-bristled or orthodontic toothbrush, which often features a V-shaped trim designed to clean around the brackets. The technique involves angling the brush at 45 degrees to the gumline, gently cleaning the area where the tooth meets the gums. The brush must also be positioned both above and below the brackets to sweep away remaining plaque or food debris.
Cleaning between the teeth requires a dedicated approach, as the archwire prevents standard flossing. A floss threader or specialized orthodontic floss must be used to carefully guide the floss underneath the wire, allowing access to the surfaces between the teeth. Alternatively, a water flosser can be highly effective, using a pressurized stream of water to flush out material from around the brackets and wires. Interdental brushes, which are small, cone-shaped brushes, offer another method for cleaning the tight spaces beneath the archwire and between the individual brackets.
Eating Safely with Braces
Adjusting one’s diet is necessary to prevent damage to the orthodontic hardware, which can interrupt treatment progress. Foods that are hard, sticky, or excessively chewy pose the greatest risk of bending the archwire or dislodging a bracket. Items like popcorn, nuts, hard candies, and ice should be strictly avoided throughout treatment.
Sticky foods such as caramel, taffy, chewing gum, and gummy candies can pull the brackets off the teeth or warp the archwire, requiring an unscheduled repair visit. Dense, chewy items like bagels or hard pretzels can also place excessive force on the appliances. Protecting the braces from this mechanical stress is essential for keeping the treatment on schedule.
Other foods do not need to be eliminated entirely but must be modified before consumption. Raw, crunchy vegetables like carrots or apples, and tough meats, should be cut into small, bite-sized pieces. This modification allows the food to be chewed primarily with the back teeth, minimizing the direct pressure applied by the front teeth onto the brackets. Generally safe options include soft foods like:
- Cooked vegetables
- Mashed potatoes
- Yogurt
- Pasta
- Soft fruits such as bananas and berries
Managing Pain and Minor Issues
New braces wearers typically experience some initial soreness as their teeth begin to respond to the constant, gentle pressure applied by the archwire. This discomfort often peaks a few hours after the initial placement or a scheduled adjustment and usually subsides within a few days. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, can be taken to manage this temporary achiness. A warm saltwater rinse, made by dissolving half a teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water, can also help soothe irritated gum tissue and any small sores that develop.
Friction from the brackets or a wire end can cause irritation to the inner cheeks, lips, or tongue. For this common issue, a small piece of orthodontic wax should be rolled into a pea-sized ball and pressed directly onto the offending piece of hardware. The wax creates a smooth barrier, protecting the soft tissues from rubbing against the metal until the mouth naturally toughens or the wire is adjusted.
If a loose wire begins to poke the cheek or gum, the patient can attempt a temporary fix at home before scheduling an appointment. A clean cotton swab or the eraser end of a new pencil can be used to gently nudge the wire back into a more comfortable position, such as tucking it closer to the tooth surface. If the wire is causing significant pain and cannot be repositioned, a clean, sanitized pair of nail clippers can be used to carefully clip the wire behind the last bracket to remove the poking end. If a bracket loosens but remains attached to the wire, it should be covered with wax and the orthodontist contacted immediately to prevent treatment delays.