Starting orthodontic treatment is an exciting step for you and your smile. No matter what orthodontic treatment type you choose–metal braces, clear braces, or clear aligners–your results depend a lot on how well you care for your teeth and orthodontic appliances.
Dr. Jimmy Martineau and the Viva Orthodontics team want to help you learn the best tips and tricks for caring for your smile with your braces or aligners. That’s why we created this simple and practical guide for you, along with advice for eating safely, managing soreness, and identifying common issues. With these tools, you can keep your treatment on track and protect your smile throughout your treatment.
Why Oral Hygiene Matters During Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatment changes more than just the alignment of your teeth. Appliances like metal braces, clear braces, and aligners create new spaces that can trap food, make brushing more challenging, and encourage plaque buildup. Without the right care, this can result in:
- Cavities
- White spot lesions on enamel
- Gum inflammation
- Bad breath
Delayed treatment progress
Patients in Bountiful can avoid these issues with a consistent routine that’s simple, effective, and easy to follow.
Oral Hygiene Tips for Braces and Aligners
Daily Brushing Tips for Braces
One of the most important oral hygiene tips for braces and aligners is a strong brushing routine. Braces collect food particles around brackets and wires, which increases the risk of plaque buildup. To keep your smile healthy:
- Brush after every meal
- Use a soft toothbrush to avoid damaging your brackets
- Angle your brush above and below each bracket
- Finish with a fluoride toothpaste to strengthen enamel
- Brush for at least two full minutes
Patients who wear metal braces or clear braces have often found keeping a travel toothbrush in their backpacks, lunchboxes, or purses to be helpful. This way, they never miss a cleaning.
Daily Brushing Tips for Clear Aligners
Clear aligners offer a smoother brushing experience since there are no brackets or wires. However, they require consistent habits to stay clean and clear. To protect your aligners:
- Remove aligners before brushing
- Brush teeth thoroughly after each meal
- Clean aligners twice a day
- Rinse aligners with lukewarm water
- Never clean aligners with hot water (this can warp the material)
Only place your aligners back on clean teeth. This prevents trapping sugars or bacteria beneath the trays and keeps your treatment progressing smoothly.
Flossing Tips for Braces and Clear Aligners
Flossing With Braces
Flossing with braces can feel tedious at first, but it is one of the most important oral hygiene tips for braces and aligners. To floss around brackets and wires:
- Use a floss threader or orthodontic floss
- Slide the threader under the wire
- Floss gently between teeth
- Move the threader to the next tooth
Braces patients often find that a water flosser gives them a much easier experience. A water flosser removes food particles from hard-to-reach places and reduces gum inflammation. Ask Dr. Jimmy Martineau about his recommendations for what to use if you’re unsure.
Flossing With Clear Aligners
Flossing with aligners is simple. Remove the trays and clean between each tooth before placing them back in. This helps ensure there’s no buildup or irritation once your trays snap back into place.
Cleaning Braces and Aligners
Cleaning Braces
If you wear metal or clear braces, then you know they need extra attention to stay plaque-free. Dr. Jimmy Martineau often recommends that patients in Bountiful add these habits to their routine:
- Use interdental brushes to access tight spaces
- Brush gently around each bracket
- Use a fluoride mouth rinse at night
- Rinse thoroughly after brushing
Interdental brushes fit beneath the wire and give patients an advantage when cleaning areas that standard toothbrushes cannot reach.
Cleaning Clear Aligners
Clear aligners need daily cleaning to prevent odor and staining. To keep aligners clear and fresh:
- Brush aligners with a designated toothbrush
- Use mild soap or the cleaning products recommended by Viva Orthodontics
- Avoid toothpaste that contains abrasives
- Store aligners safely in the case whenever they are not being worn
Since aligners spend many hours in the mouth, keeping them clean protects your smile and improves comfort.
Foods to Avoid With Braces
Food choices play an important role during orthodontic treatment. To protect metal braces and clear braces from damage, avoid:
- Sticky foods like caramel or gummy candy
- Hard foods like nuts or ice
Extra crunchy foods like popcorn kernels - Chewy foods like bagels or licorice
- Tough foods like whole apples or raw carrots
You may find it easier to cut fruits and vegetables into bite-sized pieces. Soft foods like yogurt, pasta, bananas, smoothies, ice cream, and soups are excellent choices during the first week or after adjustments.
Foods You Can Enjoy With Clear Aligners
One of the benefits of clear aligners is the ability to eat without restrictions. Simply remove the trays before meals and snacks. However, it is important to maintain good habits, so keep these tips in mind:
- Only drink water when you have your aligners in
- Avoid drinking soda or coffee with aligners because this can stain the trays
- Brush before placing trays back in
These simple steps help prevent cavities and keep aligners looking clear.
Managing Soreness and Discomfort
Soreness With Braces
Braces can cause mild soreness during the first few days or after an adjustment. We recommend that you try:
- Eating soft foods
- Using orthodontic wax on any irritated areas
- Taking over-the-counter pain relievers as recommended
- Rinsing with warm salt water
These methods soothe tender areas and help patients adjust quickly.
Soreness With Aligners
New aligner trays may feel snug. This pressure is normal and shows that treatment is progressing as planned. To manage discomfort:
- Switch trays at night so adjustment happens while you sleep
- Use over-the-counter pain relief if needed
- Follow your aligner schedule, provided by Dr. Martineau
Most soreness fades within a day or two, but if it persists, please give us a call so we can fix it.
Handling Common Problems With Braces
Loose Brackets
If a bracket becomes loose, keep it in place if possible (orthodontic wax works well here!) and call Viva Orthodontics to schedule a visit. Avoid chewing on the side with the loose bracket until it can be repaired.
Poking Wires
If a wire begins to poke the cheek or gums:
- Press it down gently with an eraser
- Use orthodontic wax for comfort
- Contact the office if irritation continues
Broken Wires
Broken wires should be fixed as soon as possible to prevent delays in treatment. Patients in Bountiful can call the office for guidance and an appointment.
Common Issues With Clear Aligners
Clear aligners may occasionally feel loose, warped, or tight. If an aligner cracks or no longer fits properly, contact Viva Orthodontics right away. Wearing damaged trays can slow progress and should be addressed promptly.
Patients should also avoid placing aligners in pockets or napkins, because this increases the chance of accidentally throwing them away. Be sure to keep both the aligners and their case away from your pets as well–dogs love to get a hold of aligners! Always use the protective case provided.
TMJ Considerations
Viva Orthodontics also cares for patients with TMJ discomfort. If chewing becomes painful or jaw clicking increases during treatment, tell Dr. Jimmy Martineau. Small adjustments or additional guidance can often reduce your symptoms and protect your long-term health.
How Bountiful Patients Can Keep Treatment on Track
Staying consistent with these oral hygiene tips for braces and aligners makes orthodontic treatment easier and more predictable. Patients in Bountiful benefit from Viva Orthodontics’ advanced technology, thorough diagnostic process, and efficient treatment plans. These strengths help reduce the number of visits needed throughout treatment and ensure a comfortable experience from the first appointment to the day your new smile is revealed.
Your Healthiest Smile Starts With At-Home Habits
Healthy habits play an important role in the success of braces and clear aligners. With the right brushing routine, smart food choices, and quick action when issues arise, you can protect your teeth and keep treatment running smoothly. Whether you choose metal braces, clear braces, or clear aligners in Bountiful, Dr. Jimmy Martineau and the team at Viva Orthodontics are here to guide you every step of the way.
New to orthodontics and want to get started on your orthodontic treatment? Schedule your free consultation at Viva Orthodontics in Bountiful today! We’d love to hear from you!
