A beautiful smile is worth the maintenance!

Adjusting to your orthodontic appliance goes beyond the physical changes in your mouth—your oral hygiene will also require some adjustment. Properly taking care of your appliance throughout orthodontic treatment is vital for a healthy smile. The instructions below share more about taking care of braces, Invisalign® clear aligners, and your retainer. If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, please check in with us. Our experienced orthodontic care specialists are here to make sure you get the best results from your treatment.

Taking care of your teeth during treatment

Excellent oral hygiene with an orthodontic appliance is essential for keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Be excellent! The right toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss can make all the difference for proper dental care during orthodontic treatment. Our team is happy to share our best suggestions and to guide you on the best regimen to use during braces treatment – because like your teeth, we’re in this together!

Brush your teeth thoroughly

Brush your teeth in the morning and evening with a fluoride containing toothpaste, for four minutes per session. If possible, brush your teeth after meals and snack to remove food debris from around braces.

Floss at least once a day

Flossing is essential for maintaining good oral hygiene and should be performed once each day.

Rinse twice a day

Rinse with over-the-counter fluoride rinse twice a day. This can be purchased almost anywhere you buy toothpaste.

Brush your teeth thoroughly

Brush your teeth in the morning and evening with a fluoride containing toothpaste, for four minutes per session. If possible, brush your teeth after meals and snack to remove food debris from around braces.

Floss at least once a day

Flossing is essential for maintaining good oral hygiene and should be performed once each day.

Rinse twice a day

Rinse with over-the-counter fluoride rinse twice a day. This can be purchased almost anywhere you buy toothpaste.

Solutions for soreness

It is normal for your teeth and mouth to feel a bit tender or irritated during treatment. To help reduce oral discomfort we recommend an over the counter anti-inflammatory and/or pain reliever. Eating a softer diet for the first few days after your braces have been placed will help you manage the initial discomfort. We will also supply wax that can be placed over the braces or wires to lessen the initial irritation. Your lips, tongue, and cheeks will gradually toughen up but wax can be helpful to lessen this tenderness in the early stages of your treatment.

More issues and solutions

The hard truth: softer foods are better now

Modern technology means sturdier braces, but you still need to be careful and avoid foods that could damage your orthodontic appliance. Softer foods are recommended (mmm, mac & cheese…), especially after an appointment when your mouth may be sore. When in doubt, take it slow or avoid it altogether.

Download packet

Avoid sticky foods

Sticky foods can get wrapped around your appliances and cause them to break or come loose. Hard foods can break your braces and damage your appliances.

Avoid high-sugar and high-acidity drinks

High-sugar and high-acidity drinks, when mixed with saliva, create plaque—a sticky film that coats the teeth and is difficult to remove completely, even with brushing.

Cut food into smaller pieces

Some foods are fine to enjoy, as long as they’re cut into smaller pieces which won’t damage your braces or appliance. Examples include bagels, carrots, and apples.

Enjoy soft, braces-friendly foods

Your favorite soft foods and drinks are perfectly safe with braces or appliances.

Avoid sticky foods

Sticky foods can get wrapped around your appliances and cause them to break or come loose. Hard foods can break your braces and damage your appliances.

Avoid high-sugar and high-acidity drinks

High-sugar and high-acidity drinks, when mixed with saliva, create plaque—a sticky film that coats the teeth and is difficult to remove completely, even with brushing.

Cut food into smaller pieces

Some foods are fine to enjoy, as long as they’re cut into smaller pieces which won’t damage your braces or appliance. Examples include bagels, carrots, and apples.

Enjoy soft, braces-friendly foods

Your favorite soft foods and drinks are perfectly safe with braces or appliances.

Let’s be clear—Invisalign aligners need care, too

Because Invisalign clear aligners can easily come on and off, patients can be more flexible about what they eat and drink. But with great power also comes great responsibility, and you must be sure to keep track of your aligners and clean them frequently.

Download packet

Clean your aligners regularly

Gently clean your aligners with a toothbrush and toothpaste or Retainer Brite®cleaner tablets 1-2 times daily.

Disinfect your aligners every day

You may use EverSmile® WhiteFoam or Steraligner daily to help keep your aligners fresh, whiten teeth, and help with dry mouth.

Keep your aligners safe

Keep your aligners away from pets, boiling water, bleach, denture cleaner, and any other cleaning products. Avoid placing your aligners in a napkin while eating to avoid accidentally throwing them away!

Apply and remove your aligners carefully

When you put your aligners in, make sure they’re securely in place. When removing them, loosen your aligners in several places, and then gently dislodge them.

Clean your aligners regularly

Gently clean your aligners with a toothbrush and toothpaste or Retainer Brite®cleaner tablets 1-2 times daily.

Disinfect your aligners every day

You may use EverSmile® WhiteFoam or Steraligner daily to help keep your aligners fresh, whiten teeth, and help with dry mouth.

Keep your aligners safe

Keep your aligners away from pets, boiling water, bleach, denture cleaner, and any other cleaning products. Avoid placing your aligners in a napkin while eating to avoid accidentally throwing them away!

Apply and remove your aligners carefully

When you put your aligners in, make sure they’re securely in place. When removing them, loosen your aligners in several places, and then gently dislodge them.

Retainers do just that—retain your new smile

Orthodontic care doesn’t end once your braces are removed. Retainers are stabilizers, keeping your teeth happy and secure in their new position. Take care of your retainer, and you take care of your teeth – for a lifetime. But if you lose your retainer, or if it no longer fits properly, let us know and we’ll get you back on track.

Download packet

Clean your retainer regularly

Carefully scrub the retainer with a toothbrush and water at least once a day. Avoid brushing with toothpaste as it can be abrasive and scratch your retainer.

Apply and remove your retainer carefully

When you put your retainer in, make sure it’s securely in place. When removing it, loosen your retainer in several places, and then gently dislodge it.

Keep your retainer safe

Protect your retainer from heat and pets. Avoid placing your retainer in a napkin while eating to avoid accidentally throwing it away!

Replace your retainer when necessary

Even a well-made retainer will eventually wear out. If your retainer has deteriorated, or it feels different than it did when new, contact your Central Lakes orthodontist.

Clean your retainer regularly

Carefully scrub the retainer with a toothbrush and water at least once a day. Avoid brushing with toothpaste as it can be abrasive and scratch your retainer.

Apply and remove your retainer carefully

When you put your retainer in, make sure it’s securely in place. When removing it, loosen your retainer in several places, and then gently dislodge it.

Keep your retainer safe

Protect your retainer from heat and pets. Avoid placing your retainer in a napkin while eating to avoid accidentally throwing it away!

Replace your retainer when necessary

Even a well-made retainer will eventually wear out. If your retainer has deteriorated, or it feels different than it did when new, contact your Central Lakes orthodontist.

Schedule your free consultation today!

Call 320.762.2101Book online