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Jan 22, 2026

7 Essential Tips for Looking After Your Braces

Read time: 3 mins

7 Essential Tips for Looking After Your Braces

Whether you’re wearing traditional metal braces or LightForce 3D braces, caring for your teeth and appliances throughout treatment is essential. Good habits help keep your treatment on track, support great oral hygiene, prevent unnecessary breakages, and ensure you stay comfortable throughout your smile journey.

Here are our top 7 tips for looking after your braces:

1. Brush after every meal

Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Angle the brush around each bracket and wire to remove trapped food, and take your time to clean every surface of every tooth. A gentle but thorough brushing technique helps prevent plaque build-up and keeps your gums healthy.

2. Don’t skip flossing

Daily flossing is especially important when you have braces. Super floss, orthodontic flossers or a water flosser can make it easier to clean around brackets and underneath the wires. Your gums will thank you. Interdental brushes are also great for reaching in between larger gaps and between brackets.

3. Be mindful of what you eat

Hard, sticky, crunchy or chewy foods can damage your braces. Avoid things like popcorn, nuts, hard lollies and toffees. For firmer foods, like apples, carrots or crusty bread, cut them into bite-sized pieces before eating to avoid bending wires or dislodging brackets.

4. Use orthodontic wax for comfort

If a wire or bracket irritates your cheek, orthodontic wax can provide quick relief. Dry the area first, then mould a small piece of wax over the area. Reapply as needed.

5. Let us know if something breaks

Loose brackets or poking wires can slow down your treatment. If something doesn’t feel right, contact us through the Dental Monitoring app so we can organise a fix promptly. It’s always easier to address issues early.

Broken brackets, poor brushing, inconsistent elastic wear or missing appointments can all extend your treatment time. If you’re using the Dental Monitoring app, remember to ask questions and follow the advice sent through your scans.

6. Keep Up with Routine Dental Care

We recommend seeing your general dentist for a check-up and clean every six months—or as often as your dentist suggests. Keeping your teeth and gums healthy is essential during orthodontic treatment.

7. Wear a Mouthguard for Sport

If you play contact sports while wearing braces, we highly recommend a NEOMORPH mouthguard which is designed specifically for patients with braces.

If you have any questions about caring for your braces or if something doesn’t feel quite right, reach out via the Dental Monitoring app or give us a call. With consistent care and regular visits, you’ll keep your smile journey on track.

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