Current Patients
Braces & Aligner Care
Taking care of your appliances protects your investment and keeps treatment on schedule. These daily habits make the difference between a smooth experience and an extended one.
Metal & Clear Braces
Daily care for braces patients
Braces create extra surfaces where plaque builds up. Good daily habits prevent white spots, cavities, and gum problems that can complicate your treatment.
01
Brush after every meal
Use a soft-bristle toothbrush at a 45° angle to the gumline. Brush above, below, and across every bracket. Spend at least two minutes per session — rinse thoroughly afterward.
02
Floss once daily
Thread floss under the archwire using a floss threader or orthodontic flosser. Slide gently up each side of every tooth to the gumline. Takes 3–5 minutes at first but becomes routine quickly.
03
Use fluoride rinse nightly
After brushing before bed, rinse for 60 seconds with an alcohol-free fluoride mouthwash. Spit and do not eat or drink afterward. Fluoride rinse reaches between teeth and around brackets where brushing cannot.
04
Keep every adjustment appointment
Appointments every 6–10 weeks are when teeth actually move. Missing or delaying appointments extends treatment time. Call us as soon as possible if you need to reschedule.
05
Wear elastics as directed
Elastics correct your bite and are a critical part of treatment for most patients. Wear them full time unless told otherwise. Inconsistent elastic wear is the most common reason treatment runs longer than expected.
Foods to avoid with braces
Hard, sticky, and chewy foods are the main cause of broken brackets and bent wires. For the full list with braces-friendly alternatives, see our foods guide.
Clear Aligners
Daily care for aligner patients
Aligners are low-maintenance — but a few habits protect the trays, keep your teeth clean, and ensure treatment moves at the right pace.
01
Wear trays 20–22 hours per day
Remove only for eating, drinking anything other than plain water, and oral hygiene. Less than 20 hours daily slows treatment and may require additional trays.
02
Rinse trays when you remove them
Rinse under cool water every time trays come out. Never use hot water — it warps the plastic. A clear, unscented soap is fine for a quick clean.
03
Brush and floss before reinserting
Always brush and floss before putting trays back in. Sealing food and bacteria under a tray against your teeth is the fastest path to cavities during aligner treatment.
04
Store trays in their case
When trays are out of your mouth, they belong in the case. Most lost or damaged trays happen at restaurants on napkins. Keep the case with you.
05
Advance trays on schedule
Move to your next set on the day Dr. Asbita instructed. If a tray feels unusually loose before that date, call us — it may mean you are ready to advance or that something needs to be checked.
Plain water only
While wearing trays, drink only plain water. Sugary or acidic drinks under the tray accelerate decay.
Always brush first
Never reinsert trays without brushing and flossing. Trapped food under trays creates an ideal cavity environment.
Keep previous trays
Hold on to at least 2–3 prior sets. If a tray is damaged or lost, your previous set is a safe fallback.
FAQ
Common Questions
Can I eat with my braces?
Yes, with modifications. Avoid hard, sticky, and crunchy foods throughout treatment. Foods like popcorn, gummy candy, hard pretzels, and ice can break brackets or bend wires and add time to your treatment.
What if a bracket comes off?
Call our office. A loose bracket is not an emergency but should be addressed within a few days. Save any piece that detaches. If a wire is poking your cheek, cover the sharp end with orthodontic wax from any pharmacy.
Can I play sports with braces?
Absolutely. Wear a sports mouthguard during any contact sport. We can recommend one that fits over braces, or pick one up at most sporting goods stores.
My teeth feel sore after an adjustment — is that normal?
Yes. Mild soreness for 1–3 days after an adjustment is completely normal. Over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen helps. Soft foods during those first couple of days are a good idea.
How do I clean under the wire?
A floss threader, orthodontic flosser pick, or water flosser all work well. Try a few options to find what you will actually use consistently — consistency matters more than the specific tool.
My aligner tray cracked — what do I do?
Call us. If the crack is minor and the tray fits securely, we will advise whether you can advance to the next tray or need a replacement. Do not discard previous trays — keep a few sets back as a backup.
Have a question not covered here?
Call our office and we will help you right away.