Life with braces

Starting treatment with braces is a big life change, but it can also be an easy one. Braces have come a long way with modern technology, and now they are more comfortable, durable and effective than ever before. You just need to know how to take care of them!

Life with braces

How to brush with braces

It’s especially important to keep up a healthy oral hygiene routine when undergoing treatment with braces. Here is our best advice for achieving a deep clean:

Work above and below the braces

Start above your brackets and carefully clean along your gum line in small circular motions, brushing away debris that may be caught between the braces and your teeth. Then, come at the other side of the braces from underneath for complete coverage.

How to brush with braces

Take your time

Brushing your teeth isn’t a race. Work away gently on your teeth and braces in a thorough manner. Now that you have braces, you should also be brushing your teeth after every meal and not just before/after going to bed.

Floss daily

Flossing can be a bit tricky to master when you first get fitted with braces. Our team can show you how to use a floss threader to get in between each individual bracket.

How to brush with braces

What to eat with braces

You can still enjoy most of your favourite foods during treatment with braces, but some of them can damage your appliance. If your brace is damaged or dislodged, it can set back your treatment times - which nobody wants!

Hard or sticky foods should be avoided when possible during treatment. This means no sweets, toffee or fudge because they can stick to your brackets. Also, foods that crunch like nuts, some vegetables or even ice could also disturb the bracket placement on your teeth, so they’re off the menu too.

If you want to eat hard fruit and veg, or crusty breads, we recommend cutting them into bite-sized pieces first. Of course, if you have any questions about what you can and cannot eat during treatment our team is happy to help!

What to eat with braces

What to do if your braces are damaged

Make an appointment with us right away if your brace becomes damaged. We can fix your appliance so that there is as little disruption to your treatment plan as possible. If you have suffered trauma to your mouth and are bleeding or in pain, please visit an emergency room.

We love braces

As orthodontic professionals, we see the tremendous healing power of braces on a daily basis. We meet many patients, particularly teens, who’re happy to embrace brackets as part of their new look - after all, they are an amazing medical aid, not something to make fun of.

Of course, if patients want to keep their orthodontic treatment under wraps, Invisalign® aligners provide a great alternative to traditional braces. This virtually invisible treatment option helps us straighten your smile in secret.

What to do if your braces are damaged

Are braces right for you?

We’re here to help you make the right choice when it comes to your orthodontic solution, as well as to provide answers to any additional questions about life with braces. Contact us over the phone, or schedule your free consultation today.

Book your free consultation

Are braces right for you?