Getting Braces: What to Expect and How to Take Care of Them
Getting Braces: What to Expect and How to Take Care of Them
What Happens When You Get Braces
Understanding the Braces Appointment and Common Terms
Getting braces is the first step toward a healthier, straighter smile. During your braces placement appointment, here’s what happened:
We cleaned and dried your teeth to prepare them for bonding.
Brackets were attached to your teeth with special adhesive.
A thin archwire was threaded through each bracket.
Small elastic ties (which come in fun braces colors) secured the wire.
Depending on your treatment plan, you may also have:
Bands around back molars
Hooks for future rubber bands (elastics)
A power chain to help close spaces between teeth
Common Braces Terms You’ll Hear
Understanding your braces helps you feel more confident during treatment. Here are a few terms we’ll use often:
Brackets
The small metal or clear ceramic braces attached to each tooth. They guide the wire and move your teeth.
Archwire
A thin metal wire that connects the brackets and applies gentle pressure to guide your teeth into place.
Ties (Elastic Ligatures)
Tiny colored or clear rubber bands that hold the wire in place on each bracket. These are the braces colors you get to choose at your visits!
Power Chain
A connected series of elastics that help close gaps between teeth and improve alignment. They’re common in later stages of treatment.
Bands
Metal rings placed around molars to provide extra support.
Elastics (Rubber Bands)
Removable bands worn between the upper and lower teeth to improve bite alignment.
Hooks
Small attachments on brackets or bands where elastics are anchored.
What Happens When You Get Braces
Understanding the Braces Appointment and Common Terms
Getting braces is the first step toward a healthier, straighter smile. During your braces placement appointment, here’s what happened:
We cleaned and dried your teeth to prepare them for bonding.
Brackets were attached to your teeth with special adhesive.
A thin archwire was threaded through each bracket.
Small elastic ties (which come in fun braces colors) secured the wire.
Depending on your treatment plan, you may also have:
Bands around back molars
Hooks for future rubber bands (elastics)
A power chain to help close spaces between teeth
Common Braces Terms You’ll Hear
Understanding your braces helps you feel more confident during treatment. Here are a few terms we’ll use often:
Brackets
The small metal or clear ceramic braces attached to each tooth. They guide the wire and move your teeth.
Archwire
A thin metal wire that connects the brackets and applies gentle pressure to guide your teeth into place.
Ties (Elastic Ligatures)
Tiny colored or clear rubber bands that hold the wire in place on each bracket. These are the braces colors you get to choose at your visits!
Power Chain
A connected series of elastics that help close gaps between teeth and improve alignment. They’re common in later stages of treatment.
Bands
Metal rings placed around molars to provide extra support.
Elastics (Rubber Bands)
Removable bands worn between the upper and lower teeth to improve bite alignment.
Hooks
Small attachments on brackets or bands where elastics are anchored.
The First Week with Braces
What to Expect
It’s normal to need a little time to adjust after getting braces. Here’s what most patients experience:
Mild soreness or pressure in the teeth, especially when biting or chewing
Irritation on the inside of your lips or cheeks as they adjust to the brackets
A slight lisp or changes in speech (usually temporary)
A different feeling when your teeth bite together
These are all signs that your braces are working and your body is adjusting.
How to Feel Better During the First Few Days
Stick to soft foods like yogurt, pasta, soup, and smoothies.
Use orthodontic wax to prevent irritation from brackets or wires.
Rinse with warm saltwater (1 tsp salt in a glass of water) 3–5 times per day to soothe gums.
Take over-the-counter pain relievers if needed (ibuprofen or acetaminophen).
Apply a cold compress to reduce inflammation or soreness.
The First Week with Braces
What to Expect
It’s normal to need a little time to adjust after getting braces. Here’s what most patients experience:
Mild soreness or pressure in the teeth, especially when biting or chewing
Irritation on the inside of your lips or cheeks as they adjust to the brackets
A slight lisp or changes in speech (usually temporary)
A different feeling when your teeth bite together
These are all signs that your braces are working and your body is adjusting.
How to Feel Better During the First Few Days
Stick to soft foods like yogurt, pasta, soup, and smoothies.
Use orthodontic wax to prevent irritation from brackets or wires.
Rinse with warm saltwater (1 tsp salt in a glass of water) 3–5 times per day to soothe gums.
Take over-the-counter pain relievers if needed (ibuprofen or acetaminophen).
Apply a cold compress to reduce inflammation or soreness.
What’s Normal, and When to Call Us
Understanding Braces Discomfort and Emergencies
Some discomfort is expected, but it’s important to know when something might require a call to our office.
Normal Experiences with Braces:
Mild soreness that lasts a few days
Changes in your bite or how your teeth fit together
Slight speech changes
A bracket rubbing on your cheek or lip
Light bleeding from the gums when brushing
Please Call Us If You Notice:
A wire poking or causing pain
A bracket that has come loose or fallen off
Persistent or severe pain that doesn’t improve with salt rinses or medication
Anything that feels broken or significantly out of place
When in doubt, give us a call. We’re always happy to help.
What’s Normal, and When to Call Us
Understanding Braces Discomfort and Emergencies
Some discomfort is expected, but it’s important to know when something might require a call to our office.
Normal Experiences with Braces:
Mild soreness that lasts a few days
Changes in your bite or how your teeth fit together
Slight speech changes
A bracket rubbing on your cheek or lip
Light bleeding from the gums when brushing
Please Call Us If You Notice:
A wire poking or causing pain
A bracket that has come loose or fallen off
Persistent or severe pain that doesn’t improve with salt rinses or medication
Anything that feels broken or significantly out of place
When in doubt, give us a call. We’re always happy to help.
What You Can and Can’t Eat with Braces
Protecting Your Braces and Your Progress
Eating the right foods is one of the easiest ways to prevent broken brackets or bent wires. Here’s a guide to what’s safe—and what’s not—when eating with braces.
Braces-Friendly Foods:
Soft fruits (bananas, berries, applesauce)
Pasta, rice, mashed potatoes
Cooked vegetables
Yogurt, smoothies, soft cheeses
Soft bread, wraps, pancakes, waffles
Foods to Avoid:
Hard or crunchy: popcorn, chips, raw carrots, nuts
Sticky or chewy: caramel, gummy candy, taffy
Tough or chewy meats: jerky, thick pizza crust, chewy steak
Biting into: whole apples, corn on the cob, hard bread
Chewing on: pens, fingernails, straws
Cutting food into smaller pieces and chewing slowly can also help protect your braces.
What You Can and Can’t Eat with Braces
Protecting Your Braces and Your Progress
Eating the right foods is one of the easiest ways to prevent broken brackets or bent wires. Here’s a guide to what’s safe—and what’s not—when eating with braces.
Braces-Friendly Foods:
Soft fruits (bananas, berries, applesauce)
Pasta, rice, mashed potatoes
Cooked vegetables
Yogurt, smoothies, soft cheeses
Soft bread, wraps, pancakes, waffles
Foods to Avoid:
Hard or crunchy: popcorn, chips, raw carrots, nuts
Sticky or chewy: caramel, gummy candy, taffy
Tough or chewy meats: jerky, thick pizza crust, chewy steak
Biting into: whole apples, corn on the cob, hard bread
Chewing on: pens, fingernails, straws
Cutting food into smaller pieces and chewing slowly can also help protect your braces.
How to Take Care of Braces
Brushing, Flossing, and Staying Clean
Maintaining good oral hygiene with braces is essential to avoid cavities, gum issues, and white spots. Here’s how to take care of braces effectively.
Brushing with Braces
Brush after every meal (or at least twice a day)
Use an electric toothbrush (we recommend Oral-B or Sonicare)
Spend 2 full minutes brushing—30 seconds per quadrant
Pay extra attention to the area between your brackets and gums (commonly missed!)
Flossing with Braces
Floss at least once a day using floss threaders or a water flosser
Be patient—flossing gets easier with practice
Use a Mouth Rinse
An alcohol-free mouth rinse freshens breath and helps remove extra food and other particles. If you are more prone to decay, using a fluoride rinse strengthens your enamel and helps prevent cavities while wearing braces.
How to Take Care of Braces
Brushing, Flossing, and Staying Clean
Maintaining good oral hygiene with braces is essential to avoid cavities, gum issues, and white spots. Here’s how to take care of braces effectively.
Brushing with Braces
Brush after every meal (or at least twice a day)
Use an electric toothbrush (we recommend Oral-B or Sonicare)
Spend 2 full minutes brushing—30 seconds per quadrant
Pay extra attention to the area between your brackets and gums (commonly missed!)
Flossing with Braces
Floss at least once a day using floss threaders or a water flosser
Be patient—flossing gets easier with practice
Use a Mouth Rinse
An alcohol-free mouth rinse freshens breath and helps remove extra food and other particles. If you are more prone to decay, using a fluoride rinse strengthens your enamel and helps prevent cavities while wearing braces.
Keeping Your Braces Treatment on Track
Stay Consistent, Stay Confident
The more consistently you care for your braces, the faster and smoother your treatment will go. Here’s how to stay on track:
Brush and floss every day
Avoid foods that can damage your braces
Use orthodontic wax for any rubbing or irritation
Attend all scheduled appointments (usually every 4–10 weeks)
Let us know right away if something breaks or feels off
Your smile is in progress—and we’re excited to be on this journey with you!
Keeping Your Braces Treatment on Track
Stay Consistent, Stay Confident
The more consistently you care for your braces, the faster and smoother your treatment will go. Here’s how to stay on track:
Brush and floss every day
Avoid foods that can damage your braces
Use orthodontic wax for any rubbing or irritation
Attend all scheduled appointments (usually every 4–10 weeks)
Let us know right away if something breaks or feels off
Your smile is in progress—and we’re excited to be on this journey with you!
Get started today with a complimentary consultation
ENCINITAS
PHONE
(760) 943-7770
ENCINITAS OFFICE
761 Garden View Court #101
Encinitas, CA 92024
OFFICE HOURS
Monday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Tuesday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Wednesday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Thursday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Friday – By Appointment
MIRA MESA
PHONE
(858) 578-1822
MIRA MESA OFFICE
10737 Camino Ruiz #210
San Diego, CA 92126
OFFICE HOURS
Monday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Tuesday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Wednesday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Thursday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Friday – By Appointment
ENCINITAS
PHONE
(760) 943-7770
ENCINITAS OFFICE
761 Garden View Court #101
Encinitas, CA 92024
OFFICE HOURS
Monday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Tuesday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Wednesday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Thursday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Friday – By Appointment
MIRA MESA
PHONE
(858) 578-1822
MIRA MESA OFFICE
10737 Camino Ruiz #210
San Diego, CA 92126
OFFICE HOURS
Monday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Tuesday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Wednesday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Thursday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
Friday – By Appointment