Getting braces is an exciting step toward a healthier, straighter smile. At Enoch & Lamei Orthodontics, Dr. Enoch and Dr. Lamei want you to feel prepared and confident throughout your treatment. This guide covers everything you need to know about living with braces, from what to eat and how to keep your teeth clean, to what to do if something breaks.
How Do Braces Work?
Braces use gentle, constant pressure to move your teeth into the correct position over time. Small brackets are bonded to the front of your teeth and connected by a thin archwire. At each adjustment visit, your orthodontist tightens or replaces the wire to keep your teeth moving according to your treatment plan.
As pressure is applied, the bone around each tooth slowly remodels, softening on one side to allow the tooth to shift and rebuilding on the other side to hold it in place. This process is why teeth may feel slightly loose during treatment. This is completely normal and expected. Once treatment is finished, the bone firms up around your teeth in their new positions.
Brushing and Flossing with Braces
Keeping your teeth clean is more important than ever when you have braces. Brackets and wires create extra surfaces where food and plaque can accumulate, so good hygiene habits help prevent cavities, white spots, and gum problems during treatment.
Brushing tips:
- Brush after every meal and before bed
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or an electric toothbrush
- Angle the brush toward the gumline and brush above and below each bracket
- Spend at least two minutes brushing each time
Flossing tips:
- Floss at least once a day using a floss threader, orthodontic flosser, or water flosser
- Thread the floss under the archwire and gently clean between each pair of teeth
- A water flosser can be a helpful addition to your routine but should not replace traditional flossing entirely
Continue visiting your family dentist every six months for professional cleanings and checkups throughout treatment.
Eating with Braces
You can still enjoy most of your favorite foods with braces, but some foods can damage your brackets and wires. For the first day or two after getting braces or having an adjustment, stick to soft foods like yogurt, pasta, mashed potatoes, and smoothies while your teeth adjust.
Foods to avoid throughout treatment:
- Chewy foods — bagels, hard rolls, licorice, beef jerky
- Crunchy foods — popcorn, ice, chips, hard pretzels
- Sticky foods — caramel, taffy, gum
- Hard foods — nuts, hard candy, raw carrots, corn on the cob
- Biting into hard items — apples (cut into slices instead), corn on the cob (cut off the cob)
Also, avoid chewing on pens, pencils, fingernails, or other hard objects. Damaged brackets and broken wires can extend your treatment time.
What to Expect: Soreness and Adjustment
It is normal to feel some soreness after braces are placed or adjusted. Your teeth and gums may be tender to biting pressure for three to five days. The lips, cheeks, and tongue may feel irritated for the first week or two as they get used to the brackets.
How to manage discomfort:
- Take over-the-counter pain relief as you would for a headache
- Eat soft foods for the first few days after each adjustment
- Use orthodontic wax on any bracket that irritates your cheeks or lips we will supply wax at your appointment
- Rinse with warm salt water to soothe irritated gums
The soreness fades quickly, and most patients say it becomes barely noticeable after the first few weeks.
Loose Teeth During Treatment
Your teeth may feel slightly loose while wearing braces. This is normal and expected — teeth need to loosen in order to move. Once treatment is complete and you transition to retainers, your teeth will firm up in their new, corrected positions.
What to Do If a Wire or Bracket Comes Loose
Occasionally, a wire or bracket may come loose. This is not an emergency, but you should contact our office to schedule a repair appointment.
In the meantime:
- If a wire is poking and causing irritation, use the eraser end of a pencil to gently push it back under the archwire
- Place orthodontic wax or a small piece of wet cotton over the wire to reduce discomfort
- If a bracket comes loose but is still attached to the wire, leave it in place and call us
Do not attempt to cut wires at home. Call our Marietta or Roswell office as soon as possible so we can check and repair the issue.
Rubber Bands and Compliance
If Dr. Enoch or Dr. Lamei prescribes rubber bands (elastics), wearing them exactly as directed is critical to your treatment success. Rubber bands apply extra force to guide your bite into the correct position. Skipping rubber bands or wearing them inconsistently will slow your progress and extend treatment time.
Wear your rubber bands at all times unless told otherwise, including while sleeping. Replace them after meals and whenever they lose their stretch.
Braces and Sports
If you play sports, let us know. We will provide a protective mouthguard designed to fit over your braces. A mouthguard protects your brackets, wires, and mouth from impact during contact sports like football, basketball, soccer, and lacrosse.
You can continue playing sports and staying active throughout treatment. Just wear your mouthguard and let us know if you take any hits to the face so we can check your braces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Starting orthodontic treatment often brings up many questions. Below are answers to some of the most common questions patients and parents ask.
Most braces treatments take 18 to 24 months, though some cases finish sooner. Treatment time depends on the complexity of your case and how well you follow your orthodontist’s instructions.
Typically every four to six weeks. These visits are quick usually 15 to 30 minutes, and are scheduled at either our Marietta or Roswell office.
Yes. It may take a few days to adjust if you play a wind or brass instrument, but most musicians adapt quickly. Wax can help with any initial lip irritation.
You will receive retainers to maintain your results. Wearing retainers as directed is essential to keeping your teeth in their new positions long-term.
Some foods should be avoided while wearing braces, especially hard, sticky, or chewy items that could damage brackets or wires. Your orthodontic team will provide a list of foods to avoid and tips for protecting your braces during treatment.