Care for your
JAWsome smile.
Simple habits make a big difference. Use these tips for braces and removable retainers, and follow any instructions specific to your treatment.
Everyday braces care
Brush three times a day
Brush in the morning, at noon, and before bed. Use a soft toothbrush, go slowly, and clean under, above, behind, and around every tooth and bracket. Rinse thoroughly.
Floss every day
Thread floss behind the archwire and use an up-and-down motion between every pair of teeth.
Keep seeing your dentist
Continue regular visits to your general dentist throughout orthodontic treatment.
Food choices
Food trapped around braces can contribute to discoloration and tooth decay. Hard and sticky foods can damage brackets and wires, which may delay treatment.
Skip sticky and hard foods
Avoid caramels, toffee, licorice, Starbursts, Sugar Babies, Tootsie Rolls, nuts, popcorn, hard candy, ice, jerky, hard pretzels, and hard pizza crust.
Make crunchy foods bite-sized
Cook apples and carrots until soft or cut them into small pieces. Cut corn off the cob. Do not bite into hard foods with your front teeth.
Go easy on sugar
Limit candy, ice cream, cookies, cake, soda, and other sugary foods and drinks. Skip bubble gum; choose only sugar-free gum.
Break the chewing habit
Do not chew on pens, pencils, fingernails, or ice. These habits can damage brackets and wires.
Retainer care
Teeth can move throughout your life. Wearing your retainer helps protect the smile you worked for. Bring your retainers to every appointment.
When to wear it
After braces, wear your retainer full time (day and night) for the first two months, then every night, unless our team gives you a different schedule. Remove removable retainers for meals unless instructed otherwise.
Keep it clean
Rinse with cool or lukewarm water and clean gently every day with a soft toothbrush. Follow the cleaning-product instructions for your specific retainer; avoid abrasive or whitening toothpaste on clear retainers.
In your mouth or in its case
Store your retainer in its case whenever you are not wearing it. Never wrap it in a napkin, where it could be thrown away.
Keep it cool and away from pets
Heat can warp a retainer. Keep it out of hot water and hot cars, and store it where pets cannot reach it.
Putting it in and taking it out
Clear retainers
Gently loosen the edges on the right and left sides with even pressure, then work around the retainer until it comes free.
Wire retainers
Use the hooks as shown by our team to gently lift the retainer away from your teeth.
Putting it back in
Guide the retainer into place from front to back as demonstrated at your appointment. If it does not fit comfortably, call us rather than forcing it.
Lost, broken, or poorly fitting retainer? Call your location promptly so we can help with next steps. Find your number ↓
Something feel off?
Brackets, wires, and appliances can occasionally loosen or cause irritation. These comfort measures can help while you contact our team. If you are unsure what to do, call your location.
Loose band or bracket
If it is still attached to the wire, leave it in place and use orthodontic wax for irritation. If it comes off completely, save it and bring it to your visit. Call us to confirm whether a repair can wait until your next appointment.
Poking wire
Try gently pushing the wire flat with a clean pencil eraser. If it will not move comfortably, cover the end with orthodontic wax and call our team.
Loose wire
If you can do so comfortably, use clean tweezers to gently guide the wire back into the bracket. Otherwise, cover the irritating area with wax and call us. Contact our team before trying to cut a wire at home.
Lost wire tie or elastic tie
If there is no discomfort, let us know at your next appointment. Call sooner if a wire is poking or a bracket feels loose.
Soreness or mouth irritation
A warm saltwater rinse can soothe irritated areas. For soreness, use Motrin (ibuprofen) or Tylenol (acetaminophen) only if safe for you, following the package directions or your clinician's advice.
Loose or broken appliance
Cover any area that is poking with orthodontic wax and call our team. Save loose or broken pieces and bring them to your visit.
For trouble breathing or heavy, uncontrolled bleeding, call 911.
Let’s get you comfortable.
Call your location if something breaks, your retainer is lost, or you need help with your care.