Caring for Braces

Reviewed by Dr. Brad Hudson, DDS, MS — Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics

Your Braces Care Guide

Tips for a clean, healthy smile during treatment

Taking care of your braces is one of the most important steps toward a healthy, beautiful smile.

Good oral hygiene helps your teeth move more efficiently and lowers your risk of cavities, gum disease, and staining. A consistent routine can help your treatment finish faster.

Brushing with Braces

Brush after every meal and before bed, at least 4 times a day. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Angle your brush to clean above and below the brackets. Electric toothbrushes work well with braces.

Flossing with Braces

Floss daily. Use a floss threader or orthodontic flosser to get under the arch wire, or try a water flosser. It takes practice, but it becomes second nature quickly.

Rinse and Protect Your Smile

• Use a fluoride mouthwash daily
• Rinse after meals if you can’t brush
• Stay hydrated to support oral health

Foods to Avoid with Braces

Broken brackets and bent wires can extend your treatment time, so be mindful of what you eat.

• Hard foods: popcorn, nuts, hard candy, ice, hard crusts
• Sticky foods: caramel, gummy bears, taffy, gum
• Crunchy foods: hard chips, pretzels, raw carrots (cut them instead)
• Foods that require biting: corn on the cob, apples (slice them first)

Choosing softer foods and cutting food into smaller bites protects your braces and keeps treatment on schedule.

Wearing Your Elastics

If Dr. Hudson or Dr. Ho prescribes elastic bands, wear them exactly as instructed. Elastics help align your bite and skipping them slows treatment.

Protect Your Smile During Sports

Always wear a mouthguard over your braces during sports. Ask us about orthodontic mouthguards designed to fit comfortably over your brackets.

What to Do If Something Breaks

If a bracket comes loose, a wire pokes, or something feels off, call us at (703) 451-4666. In the meantime, apply the orthodontic wax from your kit to any sharp spot for temporary relief. These issues are a normal part of the process as your teeth move into place.