Ortho Care
Keep Your Smile Healthy During Treatment
Braces, aligners, retainers, and expanders can trap food and plaque more easily. A few extra minutes of cleaning each day can help prevent cavities, swollen gums, and white spots so your smile stays healthy throughout treatment.
Visit Your Dentist
Continue seeing your general dentist every 6 months, or more often if they recommend it.
Professional cleanings help:
- Prevent cavities
- Keep your gums healthy
- Catch problems early
Celebrace Care
Oral Hygiene
Keeping your teeth clean during treatment helps prevent cavities, staining, and swollen gums.
We recommend:
- Sticky foods (gum, caramel)
- Hard foods (ice, nuts, hard candy)
- Crunchy foods (popcorn, chips)
Foods to Avoid
Some foods can damage your braces.
Avoid:
- Sticky foods (gum, caramel)
- Hard foods (ice, nuts, hard candy)
- Crunchy foods (popcorn, chips)
Tip: Cut apples, carrots, and similar foods into bite-sized pieces.
Rubber Bands
Rubber bands help guide your bite into its final position. Wearing them exactly as instructed keeps your treatment on schedule.
The more consistently you wear them, the faster they can do their job.
Flossing
Flossing is one of the best ways to prevent cavities and gum inflammation during treatment.
Helpful tools:
- Floss threaders
- Orthodontic floss
- Water flossers
Tips:
- Floss once a day
- Reach below the wire and along the gumline
- Take your time
Brushing
Brushing around every bracket helps prevent plaque buildup and white spots.
Tips:
- Brush after meals when possible
- Use a soft or electric toothbrush
- Brush above and below every bracket
- Don’t forget the gumline and back teeth
What to Expect
It’s normal for your teeth to feel sore for a few days after getting braces or an adjustment.
To stay comfortable:
- Eat softer foods
- Take over-the-counter pain relief if needed
- The soreness will usually improve within a few days
Retainers
Your first set of retainers is included with treatment and helps keep your new smile in place.
Remember:
Wear your retainers exactly as instructed.
Visit our Retainers & Life After Treatment page for wear instructions, cleaning tips, and long-term care.
Ask us about our 7-Year Retainer Protection Plan to make future retainer replacements simple and affordable.
A Few Things To Remember
Something is poking or uncomfortable?
As your teeth move, your wire may begin to poke your cheek. Place orthodontic wax over the area for relief. If it continues to bother you, call or text our office—we’re happy to help.
Broken a bracket?
A loose bracket usually isn’t an emergency, but it’s important to let us know so we can repair it and keep your treatment on track. Try not to play with it or pull on it.
Broken or poking wire?
Use orthodontic wax to cover the area and make it more comfortable. Then call or text our office so we can schedule a repair if needed.
Playing sports or an instrument?
You can absolutely continue your normal activities! We recommend wearing an orthodontic mouthguard for contact sports, and most patients adjust to playing instruments within a few days.