Orthodontic treatment is an exciting step toward achieving the smile of your dreams, but proper care is essential to ensure the best results. Whether you have traditional braces or clear aligners like Invisalign, maintaining good oral hygiene and caring for your appliances can make all the difference. Learning how to care for braces or how to care for aligners is crucial for preventing damage, avoiding delays in treatment, and keeping your teeth healthy throughout the process. At Bergen Orthodontics, we’re committed to helping you achieve a beautiful, healthy smile. In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through the best practices for taking care of your braces or aligners so you can stay on track and see amazing results.
Brushing and Flossing With Braces or Aligners
Maintaining oral hygiene is essential whether you wear braces or aligners, as food particles and plaque can accumulate more easily during orthodontic treatment. For braces, brush your teeth thoroughly after every meal, ensuring you clean around the brackets and wires. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and don’t forget to floss daily with a floss threader or water flosser to remove debris from between your teeth.
If you’re wearing aligners, be sure to brush your teeth after eating before putting the aligners back in, as trapped food can lead to decay or discoloration. Clean your aligners daily with a gentle soap or aligner cleaner, avoiding hot water, which could warp them. At Bergen Orthodontics, we recommend keeping travel-sized dental supplies handy to ensure you can care for your teeth wherever you go.
Eating With Braces or Aligners
What you eat matters when it comes to how you care for braces or aligners, as certain foods can actually cause damage to these orthodontic appliances. For braces, avoid sticky, chewy, or hard foods like gum, caramel, popcorn, and nuts, which can break brackets or wires. Instead, choose softer options like yogurt, pasta, and cut-up fruits and vegetables.
If you wear aligners, remove them before eating or drinking anything other than water in order to prevent staining or damage. Always brush your teeth before reinserting your aligners to avoid trapping food particles that could lead to cavities. Bergen Orthodontics provides all our patients with dietary tips to help make meal planning easier while protecting your appliances.
Protecting Braces and Aligners During Activities
Braces and aligners need extra care during sports or physical activities to prevent damage. For braces, wearing a mouthguard is essential to protect your teeth and brackets from impact. At Bergen Orthodontics, we offer custom-fit mouthguards designed to provide superior protection while being comfortable to wear. Aligners should also be removed during contact sports, but remember to store them in their protective case to avoid misplacing or damaging them.
If you grind your teeth at night, consider asking your orthodontist about aligner-safe solutions to protect both your aligners and your teeth. Learning how to care for aligners or braces during active moments ensures your treatment stays on track while keeping your smile safe.
What to Do if Braces or Aligners Get Damaged
Accidents happen — that's just the way it goes. And knowing how to respond can save you and your loved ones both time and stress. If a bracket or wire on your braces happens to break, contact Bergen Orthodontics as soon as possible for a repair appointment. In the meantime, you can use orthodontic wax to cover any jagged edges to prevent irritation.
For aligners, if they crack or lose their fit, switch to your previous set or next set (if directed by your orthodontist) until you can get a replacement. Never attempt to fix damaged braces or aligners on your own, as this could worsen the issue. Properly addressing damage is a key part of how to care for braces or aligners, ensuring your treatment stays on track.
Get Started on Your Smile Journey Today!
Whether you need guidance on how to care for braces or aligners, the team at Bergen Orthodontics is here to help. Ready to start your journey toward a healthy, beautiful smile? Contact us today to schedule your free consult — we’ll guide you every step of the way!
