Short answer: What to watch out for during treatment with braces comes down to three things: avoiding hard and sticky foods, brushing around the brackets after every meal and cleaning with an interdental brush, and not missing checkup appointments. In situations such as a broken bracket or a poking wire, orthodontic wax can provide temporary relief, but you should let your orthodontist know soon.
On the day braces are put on, the technical part of the treatment is largely in the orthodontist's hands; but in the months that follow, a significant share of what determines the quality of the result falls to the patient. The list of things to watch out for with braces may look long at first glance, but within a few weeks these rules become habits. In this guide, we have brought together the topics patients with braces ask about most often, from eating to cleaning and from minor emergencies to keeping appointments.
Which foods should you not eat with braces?
When wearing braces, you need to avoid foods that are hard, sticky or have to be bitten off, because these foods can cause brackets to come off the tooth and wires to bend. Every bracket that comes off means the tooth does not move as planned during that period and that an extra appointment is needed.
The main foods it is advisable to avoid are:
- Hazelnuts, walnuts, roasted chickpeas, nuts in the shell and hard candies
- Sticky sweets such as caramel, chewing gum and Turkish delight
- Popcorn; its hulls can get stuck between the bracket and the gum
- The habit of chewing ice
- Foods you bite into directly, such as meat on the bone and corn on the cob
This does not mean you have to give up everything you love. You can cut hard fruits and vegetables such as apples and carrots into small pieces and chew them with your back teeth, and you can eat foods such as bread and meat cut into bite-sized pieces. Since your teeth will be sensitive for the first few days after the braces are put on or adjusted, soup, yogurt, mashed potatoes and soft-cooked dishes are more comfortable. Frequent consumption of sugary and acidic drinks should be limited, as it can set the stage for enamel loss and white spots around the brackets.
How do you brush and clean between your teeth with braces?
When wearing braces, the teeth should be brushed carefully after every meal, or if that is not possible, at least twice a day in the morning and evening, and the spaces between the teeth should be cleaned separately. Brackets and wires create many new surfaces where food debris and bacterial plaque can cling. If this plaque is not cleaned regularly, gum inflammation, bad breath and permanent white spots around the brackets can develop.
The following steps are recommended for effective cleaning:
- Rinse your mouth with water to remove large food particles.
- Place a soft-bristled brush first on the upper edge of the bracket, angled at 45 degrees toward the gum line, and brush with small circular movements.
- Then angle the brush toward the lower edge of the bracket and repeat the same process.
- Brush the inner surfaces and chewing surfaces of the teeth as usual.
- Thread an interdental brush between the wire and the tooth to clean the spaces between the brackets.
- Use dental floss between the teeth by threading it under the wire with special orthodontic floss that has a stiff end or with a floss threader.
Toothbrushes with orthodontic heads, a water flosser and fluoride mouthwashes recommended by your dentist can support this routine. A water flosser does not replace dental floss, but it helps remove debris around the braces. Having professional cleanings during treatment at the intervals your dentist recommends also helps protect gum health.
What should you do if a bracket comes off or a wire pokes?
There is no need to panic when a bracket comes off or the end of a wire pokes your cheek; these situations are usually not emergencies, but you should let your clinic know within a few days. If the loose bracket is still attached to the wire and is not bothering you, you can leave it in place. If a bracket comes off completely, it is helpful to keep it and bring it to your checkup appointment.
If the end of a wire or the edge of a bracket is rubbing against your cheek or lip, orthodontic wax helps. Soften a pea-sized piece of wax with your fingers and press it onto the bracket or wire, which you have dried first; the wax creates a protective layer between the soft tissue and the metal. If the wire is sticking out noticeably, you can gently push it inward with the eraser end of a clean pencil. Do not try to cut the wire yourself or bend it by force. If you experience swelling, bleeding or a facial injury involving your braces, see your orthodontist without delay.
How do you manage pain and mouth sores?
It is normal to feel pressure and sensitivity in the teeth in the first days after the braces are put on and after each adjustment appointment; in most cases, this feeling decreases within three to five days. During this period, choosing soft foods and avoiding very hot and very cold foods provide relief. If you feel you need a pain reliever, ask your orthodontist or pharmacist which medication you can use.
Brackets rubbing against the inside of the cheeks and lips can cause small sores (canker sores), especially in the first weeks. Gargling with warm salt water helps these sores heal; applying orthodontic wax to the area that is rubbing also reduces irritation. The tissues inside the mouth adapt to the brackets over time, and the sores usually become less frequent. For sores that last longer than two weeks, grow larger or recur frequently, you should definitely have an exam.
Why is keeping appointments important?
Going to checkup appointments regularly is one of the most decisive factors in completing treatment within the planned time. With braces, tooth movement progresses as the orthodontist changes or bends the wire at set intervals or adds auxiliary elements such as elastics. Every skipped appointment delays the teeth moving on to the next stage and can extend the total treatment time.
At appointments, it is not just the wire that is adjusted; gum health, oral hygiene and any early cavities are also checked. If your orthodontist has asked you to wear elastics, wearing them for the recommended time is at least as important as going to appointments; when elastics are not worn, correction of the bite does not progress at the expected pace. If you play sports, you can also ask your orthodontist about using a mouth guard.
If you will not be able to make an appointment because of travel, exam season or a busy work schedule, letting the clinic know in advance allows the new date to be arranged with the least impact on the treatment plan. Before going on a long trip, it is also a good idea to pack a small care kit: a folding toothbrush, interdental brushes, dental floss and orthodontic wax will help you temporarily solve most of the minor problems you may run into on the road.
A note for those considering clear aligners instead of braces
For some patients, the eating and cleaning rules can make braces difficult. In suitable cases, clear aligners remove some of these restrictions because they are taken out during meals; however, since they need to be worn 20–22 hours a day, they call for a different kind of discipline. You can find details on the daily use of aligners in our article how to use clear aligners, and a comparison of the two methods on our clear aligners or braces page.
When should you see your orthodontist?
If you notice pain that does not decrease after several days, a wire that keeps poking, more than one bracket that has come loose or swelling in your gums, call your clinic without waiting for your checkup appointment. At our clinic in Park Oran Ofis in Çankaya, problems like these for our patients with braces are handled by our orthodontist; for other common topics, you can also take a look at our frequently asked questions page.
Frequently asked questions
Can you chew gum with braces?
Chewing gum sticks to the wires and brackets, makes cleaning harder and can cause the wires to bend. For this reason, it is recommended to avoid chewing gum throughout treatment with braces. If there is a special situation, you can ask your orthodontist.
How long does braces pain last?
In most people, the sensitivity after braces are put on or adjusted decreases within a few days. Eating soft foods during this time provides relief. For pain that lasts longer than a week or keeps getting worse, you need to see your orthodontist.
Is a broken bracket an emergency?
A broken bracket is usually not an emergency, but the clinic should be notified within a few days. If the bracket is bothering you, you can temporarily cover it with orthodontic wax. If more than one bracket comes off, it should not be put off, as this can affect the progress of treatment.
Why do white spots form when wearing braces?
The acids produced by bacterial plaque building up around the brackets cause mineral loss in the tooth enamel, and white spots can form. Regular brushing, cleaning between the teeth and limiting sugary and acidic drinks reduce this risk. Your orthodontist may recommend fluoride products when necessary.
