All About Braces: How They Work and How to Care for Them
Getting braces is an exciting step toward a healthier, more confident smile, and it comes with a few new habits. This guide covers how braces actually move your teeth and how to care for them, so your treatment is as smooth and successful as possible.
How Braces Work
Braces straighten teeth using three working parts. Small brackets are bonded to each tooth, a thin archwire runs through them, and tiny elastic or metal ties hold the wire in place. The archwire is shaped to a healthier alignment, and as it gently tries to return to that shape, it applies light, continuous pressure that guides your teeth into position over time.
That steady pressure is the key. Teeth move gradually and safely, which is why treatment unfolds over months rather than weeks and why regular adjustment visits matter. At each visit, we fine-tune the wire and, when needed, add elastics (rubber bands) that help correct how your upper and lower teeth fit together. Most patients come in every several weeks, and the result is a bite that works better and a smile that looks better.
What to Expect During Treatment
Braces treatment moves through a few predictable stages. In the first stage, we focus on leveling and aligning the teeth so they sit in a smooth, even arch. In the middle stage, we work on the bite itself, closing gaps and bringing the upper and lower teeth into the right relationship, which is often when elastics come into play. In the final stage, we make small detailing adjustments so everything fits together precisely.
Most patients wear braces somewhere between 12 and 24 months, though the exact time depends on the complexity of the case and how closely instructions, like wearing elastics, are followed. Appointments are usually short and spaced several weeks apart, so braces fit around school, work, and family life. When your braces come off, a custom retainer protects your new smile.
Brushing and Flossing With Braces
Oral hygiene matters even more once braces are on, because brackets and wires create extra places for food and plaque to hide.
- Brush after every meal with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss at least once a day using a floss threader or an orthodontic flosser to reach under the wire.
- Consider a water flosser or small interdental brushes for extra cleaning around brackets.
Good habits now prevent white spots and cavities later. If you have a history of gum disease, continue seeing your general dentist or a periodontist (a gum specialist) during treatment.
Eating With Braces
One of the most common questions we hear is “what can I eat with braces?” For the first day or two after braces are placed or adjusted, stick to soft foods while your mouth adjusts. After that, you can enjoy most of what you love, as long as you protect your brackets and wires.
To avoid broken brackets and bent wires, steer clear of:
- Hard foods: ice, nuts, hard candy, and lollipops
- Crunchy foods: tortilla chips, chicharrones, and popcorn
- Sticky and chewy foods: caramel, taffy, gum, and chewy breads
- Foods you bite into: corn on the cob, whole apples, and raw carrots (cut them into pieces instead)
Also avoid chewing on pens, pencils, or fingernails. Damaged braces can make treatment take longer, so a little care goes a long way.
Managing Soreness
Feeling sore after your braces are placed or adjusted is completely normal. Your teeth may be tender to pressure for a few days, and your lips, cheeks, or tongue might feel irritated for a week or two as they get used to the brackets.
- Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, the same kind you would use for a headache.
- Cover any bracket or wire that is rubbing with orthodontic wax.
- Rinse with warm salt water to soothe sore spots.
The discomfort fades quickly, and it is a sign your treatment is working.
Loose Teeth Are Normal
It can feel strange, but a little looseness in your teeth during treatment is actually a good sign. It means they are moving as planned. Once each tooth reaches its new position, it will firm back up in the bone.
Handling a Loose Wire or Band
Wires or bands occasionally come loose. If that happens:
- Use a blunt object, like the eraser end of a pencil, to gently tuck a poking wire back out of the way.
- Cover it with orthodontic wax, or a small piece of wet cotton, if it continues to irritate your mouth.
- Call our office so we can schedule a time to fix it.
For anything painful or urgent, see our emergency care page or call the office nearest you.
Wearing Your Rubber Bands
If your treatment includes elastics (rubber bands), wearing them exactly as prescribed is one of the most important things you can do. Your teeth and jaws will only move on schedule if you wear your elastics consistently. Skipping days can slow your progress and add time to your treatment, so follow your orthodontist’s instructions closely.
Protecting Your Braces During Sports
If you play sports, let us know. We can provide a custom mouthguard that protects your teeth and braces during practices and games. Whether you are on the field, the court, or the track, keeping your smile safe matters as much as the game itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do braces hurt?
Braces should not hurt day to day. You may feel tenderness for a few days after they are placed or adjusted, which is easily managed with over-the-counter pain relief, wax, and a warm salt-water rinse.
How long will I wear braces?
It depends on your case, but most patients are in braces somewhere between 12 and 24 months. We will give you a personalized estimate at your consultation.
How often should I brush with braces?
Brush after every meal and floss at least once a day. Keeping food and plaque off your brackets is the best way to finish treatment with healthy teeth and gums.
What happens if a bracket or wire breaks?
Use wax to cover anything sharp, then call us so we can repair it. A broken bracket is common and usually not an emergency, but it should be fixed promptly to keep treatment on track.
Do I still need to see my regular dentist while I have braces?
Yes. Keep up your routine cleanings and checkups with your general dentist throughout orthodontic treatment. Braces make thorough cleaning harder, so professional cleanings are more important than ever, and if you have a history of gum disease, your dentist or a periodontist should monitor it during treatm
