Looking After Your Braces

Whatever type of brace or aligner you're wearing, good daily care is essential,both to keep your treatment on schedule and to avoid any damage along the way.

Cleaning Your Braces

With fixed braces, clean thoroughly after every meal and before bed: brush each bracket and wire, angling the brush to reach underneath them, and use interdental brushes to clear the gaps your toothbrush can't reach. If you wear a removable brace or clear aligners, your dentist will give you a cleaning routine, generally a rinse in lukewarm (never hot, which can warp the plastic) water plus your usual toothpaste.

Foods to Watch

Sticky foods like toffee and boiled sweets can pull at wires, and hard, crunchy foods,apples, raw carrots or celery, crusty bread, nuts, can bend or snap them. You don't need to cut these out completely; just chop them small and chew with your back teeth. If you wear removable aligners, take them out before eating or drinking anything other than water, to protect both the aligner and your teeth.

If Something Breaks

Notice a loose wire, a cracked bracket, or unusual pain? Contact your dentist promptly rather than trying to fix it yourself, repeat damage tends to extend your overall treatment time.

Managing Discomfort

Some tenderness after a brace is fitted or adjusted is completely normal. A warm salt-water rinse and an over-the-counter painkiller usually settle it within a few days. If wires or brackets are rubbing your cheeks or tongue, orthodontic wax (available from your pharmacy or your TFBC clinic) can ease the irritation, and anaesthetic gel is another option. Pain that's severe or doesn't improve should be checked by your dentist.

Brushing and Flossing

Keeping your teeth and gums healthy throughout treatment means brushing for a full two minutes after meals and cleaning between teeth daily. With fixed braces, brush along the gumline at a 45-degree angle and underneath each bracket, and use an interdental brush to clear the spaces brackets create. If regular floss is tricky to manoeuvre, ask about waxed floss, floss threaders or dental tape. Your dentist may also suggest hygienist visits during treatment for extra support.

Sports and Braces

There's no need to give up sport while straightening your teeth, just take sensible precautions. A custom orthodontic mouthguard is recommended for fixed-brace wearers, especially in contact sports like rugby. If you wear removable aligners, you can usually take them out for the duration of a game, since they only need to be worn 20-22 hours a day overall.

Diet During Treatment

Protecting your teeth matters just as much during orthodontic treatment as at any other time. Keep sugary snacks and fizzy drinks to a minimum as they raise the risk of decay, which can undo the benefits of a straighter smile. Sticking to three main meals rather than grazing helps, and if you need something between meals, reach for fruit, vegetables, yoghurt or cheese. Water is always the safest drink, with juices and other beverages best kept to mealtimes.