OVERVIEW
Keep Your Teeth Healthy Throughout Treatment
Braces can transform the alignment of your teeth and bite, but keeping your teeth and gums healthy during treatment is just as important as achieving a straight smile.
Brackets, wires, and other orthodontic appliances create additional areas where food particles and plaque can accumulate.
With the right daily habits and regular dental care, you can protect your teeth and gums throughout your orthodontic journey.
Why Dental Care Is Important with Braces
Orthodontic appliances can make brushing and flossing more challenging. If plaque remains around brackets and along the gumline, it can increase the risk of:
- Tooth decay
- Gum inflammation
- Bad breath
- Plaque buildup
- White-spot lesions
- Tooth discoloration
Orthodontic treatment should therefore focus on both: Straight Teeth + Healthy Teeth & Gums
BEST PRACTICES
Your Daily Oral Care Routine
01
Brush Carefully
Brush at least twice a day and after meals. Pay special attention to areas around each bracket and along the gumline. A quick 30-second brush is not enough.
02
Clean Between Your Teeth
Don’t Skip Between the Brackets
Brushing alone is not enough. Use floss threaders, interdental brushes, or water flossers to reach between brackets and under wires.
03
Clean Around Your Brackets
Every Bracket Matters
Position the toothbrush toward the top of the bracket, clean around it, brush below it, and clean along the gumline. Repeat for every tooth.
04
Protect Your Gums
Watch for signs of inflammation like red/swollen gums, bleeding, or bad breath. Mild bleeding can occur initially, but persistent bleeding requires evaluation.
05
Watch What You Eat
Limit Hard Foods: Ice, hard candy, nuts. Cut harder foods into smaller pieces.
Avoid Sticky Foods: Caramel, toffee, chewy candy.
06
Reduce Sugary Snacks
Frequent exposure to sugar increases decay risk. Keep sugary foods occasional and brush after meals. The frequency of sugar exposure matters greatly.
07
Limit Acidic Drinks
Soft drinks, energy drinks, and sports drinks contribute to enamel erosion. Water should be your primary drink while undergoing orthodontic treatment.
08
Fluoride Protection
Fluoride strengthens enamel. Your dentist may recommend a fluoride toothpaste or treatment based on your personal decay risk assessment.
09
Professional Dental Cleaning
Orthodontic appointments do not replace routine dental care. Professional cleaning is necessary to remove calculus and check for cavities.
10
Protect During Sports
If you participate in contact sports, always use an appropriate orthodontic mouthguard to protect teeth, lips, cheeks, and your brackets.
Handling Orthodontic Emergencies
What If a Bracket Breaks?
If a bracket becomes loose or detached, contact the clinic to schedule a repair appointment. Do not try to reattach it yourself.
Orthodontic Wax
If a wire or bracket is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, apply a small piece of orthodontic wax over the sharp area.
Dental Care with Invisalign
If you wear clear aligners, oral hygiene is easier, but you must still brush and floss before reinserting the aligners after every meal.
COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE
Schedule Your Consultation
Protect your investment in your smile. If you have any questions about how to care for your braces or clear aligners, our team is always here to help.
*Your information is kept strictly confidential.
