gloved hand holding a dental model fitted with colored braces brackets

Braces 101

How To Brush and Floss With Braces

Keeping your teeth clean while you have braces is really important for a healthy mouth. Brushing and flossing around your braces every day helps prevent plaque buildup, which means fewer cavities and gum problems down the road. Our team at Island Orthodontics will show you good cleaning habits that can help you avoid extra dental work later. If you’re an adult patient who’s had gum disease in the past, we recommend keeping up with your regular visits to your gum doctor along with your orthodontic appointments. This way, we can make sure both your teeth alignment and your gums stay healthy throughout your treatment.

How To Eat With Braces

Curious about what’s safe to eat with braces? At first, it’s a good idea to choose soft, gentle foods like yogurt, smoothies, mashed potatoes, and soups to keep discomfort to a minimum. Skip anything chewy, crunchy, or hard—like crusty bread, raw vegetables, or tough cuts of meat. As your mouth gets used to the braces, you can start incorporating more options, but it’s still important to avoid anything that could break a bracket or wire and slow down your treatment.

Foods to Avoid

Chewy foods: bagels, hard rolls, licorice
Crunchy foods: popcorn, ice
Sticky foods: caramels, gum
Hard foods: nuts, candy
Foods you have to bite into: corn on the cob, apples, carrots

How To Manage Discomfort

Feeling a bit of soreness in your teeth and mouth during the first few days after getting braces is totally expected. This tenderness typically lasts about 3 to 5 days. You can take over-the-counter pain medication to help manage any discomfort. It’s also common for your lips, cheeks, or tongue to feel a little irritated at first, but this usually gets better as your mouth gets used to the new hardware. If any spots become bothersome, orthodontic wax can be applied to your braces to provide relief.

Loose Teeth

It’s completely natural for your teeth to feel slightly wiggly while undergoing orthodontic treatment. This looseness is a normal part of the process and indicates that your teeth are gradually shifting into their correct alignment. It’s a positive sign that your braces are working as they should.

Loose Wire or Band

Occasionally, a band or wire might come out of place. If a wire is poking or irritating your mouth, you can try using the eraser tip of a pencil to carefully guide it back into position. To reduce discomfort in the meantime, place a small piece of orthodontic wax or damp cotton over the area until you can visit your orthodontist for a fix.

Rubber Band Wear

To get the most out of your orthodontic treatment, it’s important to carefully follow Dr. Jensen’s recommendations.

Consistent use of rubber bands or other prescribed devices is key to helping your teeth and bite move into proper alignment. Skipping steps or neglecting your appliances can lead to setbacks and a longer treatment timeline, so be sure to stick to her instructions throughout your smile journey.

Sports & Instruments With Braces

If you’re involved in sports or play a musical instrument, make sure to tell our team—we can supply a custom mouthguard or offer tips on playing comfortably with braces. Taking these precautions helps protect both your smile and your braces while you stay active.