Your Role in Optimizing Results

Although you may feel like you have a mouth full of appliances, you are wearing the smallest, most comfortable braces available today. Smile and be happy, because you are well on your way to a super smile! Please read the following information carefully. The quality of our results depends on your active participation and cooperation.

Eating with Braces

Mealtimes with braces may feel awkward at first, but most people quickly adapt to eating with their appliances. However, you may have to adjust your diet to avoid certain foods that can damage your braces. Please stay away from hard and sticky foods, which can bend wires, pull cement loose or break small brackets and tubes. You also should limit your intake of sugary foods and drinks (yes, that means soda!), which are particularly attractive to decay-causing bacteria. If you do eat sweets, try to brush your teeth immediately; if that's not possible, rinse your mouth with clear water. For kids who need a little extra convincing, click here!

Routine Dental Care

Caring for your teeth with braces does require a little extra effort, but it is not difficult. In addition to regularly brushing after you eat, you'll need to use the special proxy brush we provided to clean beneath your archwires and between brackets. There's also a special threading tool that helps get dental floss under the wire between your teeth. If you ever need reminding how to use these tools, just ask Dr. R or one of our orthodontic assistants for a refresher course.

Poor hygiene can lead to gum disease and tooth decay — conditions that cannot be present during orthodontic treatment. Each time we see you, we will check your dental hygiene and make suggestions for improvements if necessary. However, the responsibility for maintaining a healthy mouth belongs to you. Routine dental exams and cleaning are especially important during orthodontic treatment. Please see your dentist at least twice each year for a checkup. Your dentist may recommend more frequent visits and may employ special cleaning processes to remove any buildup around your braces.

Orthodontics and Sports

If you are involved in contact sports, we recommend that you wear an orthodontic mouthguard that fits over your braces. Ask us for details.