The Owners Manual
How to maintain your hardware and your hygiene.
Successful treatment is a partnership. We engineer the tooth movement, but you protect the instruments. Keeping your braces intact and your teeth clean ensures your treatment stays on schedule.
Eating with Braces
You do not need to live on soup, but you do need to be strategic. Brackets are bonded strongly to teeth, but they can be sheared off by hard or sticky forces.
🚫 The "No-Fly" List
These foods break brackets and bend wires. Avoid them completely.
- Sticky: Caramel, Taffy, Starburst, Gummies.
- Hard: Ice, Nuts, Hard Taco Shells, Popcorn (Kernels).
- Crunchy: Chips (Doritos/Cheetos can accumulate around brackets).
- Chewy: Bagels (tear into pieces), Licorice.
✅ The Safe List
Enjoy these foods, but cut hard items (like apples) into small wedges.
- Soft: Pasta, Rice, Mashed Potatoes, Soup.
- Dairy: Yogurt, Soft Cheese, Ice Cream (no nuts).
- Fruit: Bananas, Smoothies, Applesauce.
- Proteins: Fish, Chicken (off the bone), Eggs.
Hygiene: The 3x3 Protocol
Braces create hiding spots for plaque. If plaque is left on teeth around the brackets, it can cause permanent white scars (decalcification) or swollen gums.
- Brush 3x a Day: Morning, after school/work, and before bed.
- The Angle Matters: Brush above the bracket (angled down) and below the bracket (angled up) to clean under the wire.
- Floss Daily: Yes, it takes longer. Use a floss threader or a “Superfloss” to get under the archwire. A Waterpik is a great addition, but it does not replace floss.
Athletics & Instruments
Sports Protection
You can absolutely play sports. However, a blow to the mouth can be painful if lips are pressed against braces.
We recommend the Shock Doctor orthodontic mouthguard. Unlike generic “boil and bite” guards which can lock into the brackets, Shock Doctor guards are made of high-grade silicone that fits over the braces, protecting your lips and allowing teeth to move.
Musical Instruments
For wind instrument players (trumpet, flute, saxophone), there is an adjustment period. Your embouchure will need to adapt to the new thickness of the braces.
Tip: If the inside of your lips feel sore while playing, use a small amount of orthodontic wax on the front brackets to create a smooth bumper. Most musicians adapt fully within 1-2 weeks.
Need a refill?
Running low on wax or floss threaders? Stop by the office anytime to restock your kit.