Braces: Dos and Don'ts
DO
DON'T
Brush your teeth after every meal using a soft-bristled toothbrush
Don't eat sticky foods like caramel, toffee, chewing gum, or jaggery
Use an interdental brush or floss threader to clean between brackets and wires
Don't bite into hard foods like ice, nuts, popcorn kernels, sugarcane, crispy items like chakli, nippat, or hard candy
Rinse with fluoride mouthwash daily to strengthen enamel
Avoid hard non-vegetarian foods especially chewing on bones
Eat soft foods like idly, rice, pongal, porridge / ganji, soup, yogurt, mashed potatoes, pasta, and soft fruits
Don't chew on pens, pencils, fingernails, or other hard objects
Cut hard foods like apples and carrots into small, bite-sized pieces
Don't skip brushing — food trapped in braces can cause cavities and staining
Wear your rubber bands or elastics exactly as prescribed by Dr. Meghana
Don't use your teeth to open packages or tear tape
Use orthodontic wax on brackets that irritate your cheeks or lips
Don't eat corn directly off the cob — cut it off instead
Keep all your scheduled adjustment appointments
Don't ignore broken brackets or loose wires — get them fixed promptly
Wear a mouthguard during sports or physical activities
Don't skip wearing your elastics — it delays treatment progress
Contact The Tooth Stop immediately if a wire breaks or a bracket comes loose
Don't consume excessive sugary drinks or acidic beverages
Don't try to adjust or bend wires yourself
Do's — in detail
- Brush your teeth after every meal using a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Use an interdental brush or floss threader to clean between brackets and wires
- Rinse with fluoride mouthwash daily to strengthen enamel
- Eat soft foods like idly, rice, pongal, porridge / ganji, soup, yogurt, mashed potatoes, pasta, and soft fruits
- Cut hard foods like apples and carrots into small, bite-sized pieces
- Wear your rubber bands or elastics exactly as prescribed by Dr. Meghana
- Use orthodontic wax on brackets that irritate your cheeks or lips
- Keep all your scheduled adjustment appointments
- Wear a mouthguard during sports or physical activities
- Contact The Tooth Stop immediately if a wire breaks or a bracket comes loose
Don'ts — in detail
- Don't eat sticky foods like caramel, toffee, chewing gum, or jaggery
- Don't bite into hard foods like ice, nuts, popcorn kernels, sugarcane, crispy items like chakli, nippat, or hard candy
- Avoid hard non-vegetarian foods especially chewing on bones
- Don't chew on pens, pencils, fingernails, or other hard objects
- Don't skip brushing — food trapped in braces can cause cavities and staining
- Don't use your teeth to open packages or tear tape
- Don't eat corn directly off the cob — cut it off instead
- Don't ignore broken brackets or loose wires — get them fixed promptly
- Don't skip wearing your elastics — it delays treatment progress
- Don't consume excessive sugary drinks or acidic beverages
- Don't try to adjust or bend wires yourself
Good to Know
- Mild soreness after adjustments is normal and usually subsides within 2-3 days. Over-the-counter pain relief can help.
- Good oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment is crucial — poor care can lead to permanent white spots on teeth.
- Your treatment duration depends on your compliance. Wearing elastics and attending appointments as scheduled helps finish treatment on time.
Found this helpful? Share it with someone who needs it.
Not sure if you need treatment?
Try our free AI Smile Check — snap a photo, get a screening in 30 seconds.
Find more care guides, dos & don'ts, and services.
Browse All ResourcesShared by Dr. P Meghana, MDS - Orthodontics
The Tooth Stop · BTM Layout, Bangalore · +91 8618 910 357