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Wearing braces is an exciting step toward achieving a straighter, healthier smile — but taking proper care of them is essential for great results. Whether you’re wearing metal braces, ceramic braces, lingual braces, or clear aligners, following the right habits will help prevent damage, reduce discomfort, and keep your treatment on track.

At Liverpool Orthodontics, we want every patient to enjoy a smooth and stress-free journey. This guide covers the most important do’s and don’ts to help you care for your braces like a pro.

Do’s: Best Practices for Taking Care of Your Braces

✔ Do Brush After Every Meal

Food can easily get trapped around brackets and wires, increasing your risk of plaque buildup, cavities, and staining. To avoid this:

  • Brush gently after each meal
  • Use a soft toothbrush or orthodontic toothbrush
  • Pay special attention to the gum line and around brackets

Check out our Patient Information page for more oral care tips.

✔ Do Floss Daily

Flossing with braces may take a little extra time, but it is essential for healthy gums and preventing tooth decay. Tools that help include:

  • Floss threaders
  • Orthodontic floss
  • Water flossers

Daily flossing keeps your mouth clean and helps ensure smoother treatment progress.

✔ Do Use Orthodontic Wax

If a bracket or wire rubs against your cheek or gums, orthodontic wax can provide instant relief. Keep some with you at school, work, or when travelling.

✔ Do Eat Soft Foods After Adjustments

After an adjustment or tightening, your teeth may feel sensitive. Soft foods can help:

  • Smoothies
  • Soups
  • Yoghurt
  • Scrambled eggs
  • Mashed potatoes

This makes the transition much more comfortable.

✔ Do Protect Your Braces During Sports

If you play a contact sport, always wear a mouthguard. This protects:

  • Your teeth
  • Your braces
  • Your lips and cheeks

Ask our orthodontist about mouthguard options suitable for braces.

✔ Do Follow All Instructions From Your Orthodontist

Whether it’s wearing elastics, using bite turbos, or attending scheduled adjustments, following directions is crucial for successful treatment. If you ever forget what to do, you can always call our clinic or check your Orthodontic Appliances Guide for reminders.

Don’ts: What to Avoid When You Have Braces

✘ Don’t Eat Hard, Sticky, or Chewy Foods

Certain foods can break brackets, loosen wires, or get stuck, causing delays in treatment. Avoid:

  • Chewing gum
  • Toffees, caramels, sticky lollies
  • Hard nuts
  • Popcorn
  • Hard bread crusts
  • Crunchy chips

If you damage your appliance, call us so we can help you as soon as possible.

✘ Don’t Bite Into Hard Foods

Instead of biting directly into foods like apples or carrots, cut them into smaller, bite-sized pieces. This reduces the risk of damaging your brackets.

✘ Don’t Ignore Pain or Broken Appliances

Mild soreness after adjustments is normal. Severe pain, poking wires, or loose brackets are not.

If anything feels wrong, contact Liverpool Orthodontics immediately. Prompt repairs prevent further issues and keep your treatment running smoothly.

✘ Don’t Forget to Attend Your Appointments

Regular visits allow Dr Eva Low to:

  • Adjust your wires
  • Monitor progress
  • Ensure everything moves safely and correctly

Missing appointments can extend treatment time.

✘ Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools

Avoid chewing on pens, opening packages with your teeth, or biting nails. These habits can easily bend wires or break brackets.

Caring for Clear Aligners? Follow These Rules Too

If you’re using clear aligners instead of braces:

Do:

  • Wear them for the recommended daily hours
  • Clean them with lukewarm water
  • Store them in their case when not in use

Don’t:

  • Eat or drink anything except water with them in
  • Expose them to heat (it can warp them)

Caring for your braces doesn’t have to be difficult — it’s simply about forming smart daily habits. Following these do’s and don’ts will help protect your braces, prevent delays, and ensure your treatment progresses as planned.

At Liverpool Orthodontics, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. If you ever have questions, discomfort, or concerns about your braces, our friendly team is always ready to help.

Ready to start your orthodontic journey?
👉 Book your free consultation today