Oral Hygiene & Foods to Avoid

Oral Hygiene with Braces

Taking care of your smile is especially important during orthodontic treatment. Braces create extra places for food and plaque to hide, so good oral hygiene helps prevent cavities, staining, and gum irritation — and keeps your treatment on track.

With a few simple habits, keeping your teeth clean with braces can be easy and effective.

Keeping Your Teeth Clean with Braces

Brush Thoroughly

  • Brush after every meal, or at least twice a day.
  • Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and take your time around brackets and wires.
  • Angle your brush at about 45 degrees above and below each bracket to clean all surfaces.
  • An interproximal (proxy) brush can help clean hard-to-reach areas around brackets and wires.

(Your orthodontic team will demonstrate proper brushing techniques when your braces are placed.)

Floss Daily

Flossing is essential, even with braces.

  • Use floss threaders or orthodontic floss picks or Superflosser to guide floss under the wire.
  • Water flossers can also be very helpful for removing food and plaque around brackets.

Rinse with Fluoride

Rinsing nightly with a fluoride mouthwash helps strengthen enamel and protect against cavities, especially during orthodontic treatment.

Hygiene Kits & Support

When your braces are placed, we’ll provide hygiene guidance and tools to help you get started. Our team is always happy to review brushing or flossing techniques during your visits.

Why Good Hygiene Matters

Poor oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment can lead to:

  • White or brown decalcification spots on teeth
  • Cavities
  • Gum inflammation

Keeping your teeth clean helps ensure a beautiful, healthy smile once your braces come off.

Foods to Avoid with Braces

“Sticky and chewy items can cause brackets to come loose. Please eat with care or avoid them altogether.”

Some foods can damage braces or slow down treatment. We recommend avoiding:

Hard Foods

  • Nuts
  • Hard candies
  • Ice
  • Whole apples or raw carrots (unless cut into small pieces)

Sticky Foods

  • Caramel
  • Taffy
  • Gummy candies

Very Crunchy Foods

  • Popcorn (especially unpopped kernels)
  • Hard chips

Chewy Foods

  • Bagels or hard rolls (tear into small pieces before eating)
  • Pizza Crust

These foods can loosen brackets or bend wires, which may extend treatment time.

Braces-Friendly Food Tips

  • Cut food into small, bite-sized pieces
  • Chew with your back teeth
  • Choose softer foods, especially during the first few days after an adjustment

Good options include yogurt, pasta, mashed potatoes, smoothies, eggs, and soft fruits.

Caring for Clear Aligners (Invisalign® & Similar Systems)

If you’re wearing clear aligners:

  • There are no food restrictions while aligners are out — enjoy!
  • Always remove aligners before eating or drinking anything except water.
  • Brush your teeth before reinserting aligners to avoid trapping sugars or acids.
  • Clean aligners daily using a soft brush and lukewarm water (never hot).

Helpful Tips for Success

  • We recommend using an electric toothbrush for the most effective cleaning.
  • If your child or teen is in treatment, we may provide encouragement or rewards for excellent hygiene during visits.

Good habits now lead to beautiful results later!

We’re Here to Help

If you ever have questions about cleaning your braces or aligners, don’t hesitate to ask. We’re here to support you every step of the way toward a healthy, confident smile.