How To Take Care of Braces – Precautions and Tips

Getting braces is a major step toward a healthier, more beautiful smile. But just installing the wires and brackets is only part of the journey. Knowing how to take care of braces properly ensures your treatment proceeds smoothly, stays on schedule, and avoids complications. In this guide, we’ll walk you through every precaution, tip, and best practice you need — plus how Excella Orthodontics helps patients in Kolkata with teeth braces treatment in Kolkata.

Whether you’re dealing with metal braces, ceramic, lingual, or self-ligating types, this complete handbook will help you avoid issues, minimize pain, and protect your investment.

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Why Proper Care Matters: Risks of Neglecting Braces

Before diving into tips, let’s understand what can go wrong if you don’t care for braces properly:

• Bracket or wire breakage – Hard, sticky foods or incorrect brushing can loosen brackets or bend wires.
• White spot lesions / decalcification – Plaque buildup around brackets can cause enamel demineralization.
• Gingivitis and gum problems – Poor cleaning leads to inflammation around teeth and gums.
• Prolonged treatment time – Frequent repairs or dental issues can delay your planned orthodontic timeline.
• Discomfort and sores – Irritation from wires or brackets can cause ulcers or pain.

So, investing a few extra minutes daily in braces care can avoid big problems later.

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Getting Started: What You Should Do Right After Getting Braces

Day 1 and the first week require special attention:

1. Use orthodontic wax
   If your lips, cheeks or tongue feel rubbed by wire ends or brackets, place small amounts of orthodontic wax over sharp edges to protect soft tissues.
2. Soft food diet
   For the first few days, keep to soft foods (soups, mashed vegetables, yogurt, pasta) so that your mouth adjusts. Avoid crunchy, sticky, or chewy items.
3. Gentle brushing after meals
   Brush carefully around brackets and wires; use small circular motions and take your time.
4. Rinse with saline or antiseptic mouthwash
   This helps reduce soreness and keeps your gums healthy.
5. Be patient with speech & eating changes
   It may feel awkward initially, but most people adapt quickly.

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Daily Maintenance: Brushing, Flossing & Tools

Brushing Your Braces

• Use a soft-bristle or orthodontic toothbrush angled toward the brackets.
• Brush at least twice daily, but ideally after every meal.
• Clean above, below, and around each bracket.
• Consider using electric toothbrushes with small heads for better effectiveness.

Colgate recommends brushing gently and using floss threaders to avoid damaging brackets.

Flossing & Interdental Cleaning

• Floss at least once daily, using floss threaders or orthodontic floss to go under wires.
• Use interdental brushes, proxabrushes, or water flossers for hard-to-reach areas.
• Be gentle and avoid snapping floss aggressively around brackets.
• Some patients also use gum stimulators or soft picks.

Mouthwash & Rinsing

• Use a fluoride mouthwash or antiseptic rinse for healthy gums.
• After meals, rinse with water to dislodge food particles.
• Avoid rinses with high alcohol content (drying effects).

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Diet & Food Guidelines

Your food choices make a huge difference in how to take care of braces:

Foods to Avoid

• Hard items: nuts, popcorn, ice, hard candies
• Sticky & chewy foods: gum, toffee, caramels
• Crunchy fruits & vegetables (unless cut into small pieces): apples, raw carrots (cut them)
• Chewy meat on the bone, crusty bread
• Sugary and acidic drinks in brackets-wear: soda, energy drinks (if consumed, remove brackets first or rinse teeth immediately)

Safe and Braces-Friendly Foods

• Soft fruits (banana, steamed apples)
• Cooked vegetables, mashed potatoes
• Rice, pasta, oatmeal
• Yogurt, smoothies, soups
• Tender meats cut into small pieces

Meal Tips

• Cut food into bite-size pieces
• Chew slowly with control
• Avoid biting into food with front teeth (e.g. biting apples) — slice instead

In a Times of India article on braces care, it recommends avoiding hard or sticky items to prevent breakage.

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Managing Discomfort & Emergencies

Everyday Discomfort

• Use over-the-counter pain relievers (as approved by your orthodontist)
• Eat softer foods when braces are tightened
• Use orthodontic wax to soothe rubbed areas
• Warm saltwater rinses reduce swelling

What to Do in Emergencies

• Loose bracket: Leave it intact and wrap it with orthodontic wax until your next visit
• Poky wire end: Use a cotton swab to push it down, or call for an adjustment
• Broken wire or spring: Contact your orthodontist immediately
• Tooth pain or swelling: Rinse, take mild analgesics, and see the clinic if issue persists

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Specific Tips for Different Braces Types

Metal Braces

• Most durable, but brackets and wires are visible
• Extra caution with food & cleaning

Ceramic / Clear Braces

• More prone to discoloration—avoid staining foods (turmeric, strong curry, coffee)
• Use non-abrasive toothpaste to protect clear parts

Lingual Braces

• Harder to clean as they are behind teeth — flossing and brushing technique extra important
• Avoid biting hard food with back teeth

Self-Ligating Braces

• Slightly easier to clean (no elastic ties), but still require full hygiene routines
• Fewer visits but same care discipline

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Periodic Check-Ups & Adjustments

• Maintain scheduled appointments at your orthodontist for tightening, adjustments, and progress checks
• Don’t skip appointments; they ensure your treatment stays on track
• Inform your orthodontist of any loosening, pain, or changes

At Excella Orthodontics, appointment adherence is emphasized to minimize delays in teeth braces treatment in Kolkata. Their team monitors every bracket, aligner, and progress stage.

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Long-Term Considerations

Retainers After Braces

Once braces come off, retainers are crucial to maintain alignment. Use them as directed by your orthodontist.

Tooth Whitening & Extras

Some patients opt for whitening or cosmetic procedures after braces removal. Discuss this with your orthodontist to avoid harm to enamel or remaining adhesive.

Routine Dental Care

Continue regular dental checkups, scaling, and preventive care to protect your teeth in the long run.

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Excella Orthodontics & Your Braces Journey in Kolkata

When it comes to teeth braces treatment in Kolkata, Excella Orthodontics is a name you can trust. Located in Salt Lake, Sector II, Bidhannagar, Kolkata, they specialize exclusively in orthodontics and braces care.

Drs Sayali Pradhan and Prasoon Killa lead the clinic, combining expertise with modern tools such as iTero 3D scanners to ensure precision and comfort in every step of your treatment. Their website highlights customized aligner and braces workflows.

Excella offers the full spectrum of services: metal braces, ceramic braces, clear aligners, lingual orthodontics, as well as follow-up care, retainers, and cosmetic dental synergy.

By choosing Excella, you not only receive a beautiful smile—but also disciplined guidance on how to take care of your braces for optimal results.