Living with Braces

Congratulations on starting your orthodontic journey at Weeks Orthodontics in Winter Springs and Oviedo, FL! Whether you have traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, or Invisalign® clear aligners, adjusting to life with braces takes a little time. Dr. Travis A. Weeks and Dr. Shadiya Hasan have put together this comprehensive guide to help you feel confident and comfortable throughout your treatment.

Eating with Braces: What You Can and Cannot Eat

One of the most common questions new orthodontic patients ask is, “What can I eat with braces?” During treatment, certain foods can damage brackets, bend wires, and extend your overall treatment time. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends avoiding hard, sticky, crunchy, and chewy foods that can compromise orthodontic appliances.

Foods to Avoid with Braces

• Hard foods — Nuts, hard candy, jawbreakers, raw carrots, and whole apples (cut them into small pieces instead)
• Sticky foods — Caramel, taffy, gummy bears, Starburst, and chewing gum
• Crunchy foods — Popcorn, tortilla chips, hard pretzels, and ice
• Chewy foods — Bagels, hard rolls, beef jerky, and licorice
• Foods you bite into — Corn on the cob, whole apples, and large carrots (cut into small, bite-sized pieces)

Braces-Friendly Foods You Can Enjoy

The good news is that there are still plenty of delicious foods that are perfectly safe to eat with braces:

• Soft breads and grains — Tortillas, pancakes, muffins, pasta, and rice
• Dairy — Yogurt, soft cheese, pudding, milk, and smoothies
• Proteins — Ground beef, shredded chicken, fish, eggs, and tender steak (cut small)
• Soft fruits — Bananas, berries, applesauce, and sliced peaches
• Cooked vegetables — Mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli, beans, and spinach
• Treats — Ice cream, milkshakes, gelatin, soft cookies, and cake

Pro tip from Dr. Weeks: During the first week after getting braces or after an adjustment, stick to very soft foods like soup, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and smoothies. Your teeth will be most sensitive during this time, and softer foods make the transition much easier.

Managing Pain and Soreness

Some discomfort after getting braces or following an adjustment is completely normal. According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), most patients experience mild soreness for two to three days after each adjustment as teeth begin to shift into their new positions.

How to Relieve Braces Pain

• Saltwater rinse — Gargle with lukewarm saltwater (one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of water) to soothe tender gums and reduce inflammation
• Over-the-counter pain relief — Ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help manage discomfort. Follow dosage instructions on the label
• Orthodontic wax — Apply a small amount of wax to any bracket or wire that irritates your cheeks, lips, or tongue. We provide wax at every appointment — just ask
• Cold foods and drinks — Ice cream, cold water, and popsicles can help numb sore areas and reduce swelling
• Soft food diet — Eat only soft foods for the first two to three days after an adjustment

Is It Normal for Teeth to Feel Loose?

Yes. During orthodontic treatment, your teeth may feel slightly loose — and that is actually a good sign. It means your braces are working. Teeth must loosen slightly in order to move into their correct positions. Once your teeth reach their final alignment and your braces are removed, they will stabilize and feel firm again.

Irritation to Cheeks, Lips, and Tongue

During the first one to two weeks, the soft tissues inside your mouth — cheeks, lips, and tongue — will need time to adjust to your new brackets and wires. Orthodontic wax is your best friend during this period. Place a small piece over any bracket that causes irritation. Within a couple of weeks, these areas will toughen up and the irritation will subside.

Rubber Bands (Elastics) and How to Use Them

Elastics — the small rubber bands attached to your braces — play a critical role in correcting your bite. They create targeted pressure to move your upper and lower teeth into proper alignment. Wearing your elastics exactly as prescribed by Dr. Weeks or Dr. Hasan is one of the most important things you can do to keep your treatment on schedule.

Elastics Care Tips

• Wear them full time — Elastics should be worn 24 hours a day unless otherwise instructed. Removing them slows tooth movement and extends treatment
• Change them daily — Rubber bands lose elasticity throughout the day. Replace them every 12 to 24 hours for consistent force
• Remove only when eating and brushing — Take elastics out during meals and oral hygiene, then put them back on immediately
• Carry extras everywhere — Keep spare elastics in your backpack, purse, car, and desk so you always have replacements
• Contact us if they break frequently — Frequent breakage may indicate that your braces need an adjustment

Remember: If you do not wear your elastics as prescribed, your treatment will take longer. Consistent wear is the fastest path to a beautiful smile.

Oral Hygiene with Braces

Keeping your teeth clean during orthodontic treatment is more important — and more challenging — than ever. Brackets and wires create additional surfaces where plaque and food particles can accumulate. The American Dental Association recommends brushing after every meal and flossing at least once daily during orthodontic treatment.

Brushing with Braces

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush or an electric toothbrush with an orthodontic head
• Brush at a 45-degree angle along the gum line, then angle downward to clean the top of each bracket, and upward to clean below
• Brush for at least two minutes after every meal — breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
• Use fluoride toothpaste to strengthen enamel and prevent cavities
• Consider an interdental brush (proxy brush) to clean between brackets and under wires

Flossing with Braces

Flossing with braces takes a bit more effort, but it is essential for preventing gum disease and cavities between teeth. Use a floss threader or orthodontic floss to guide the floss under the archwire and between each tooth. A Waterpik water flosser is an excellent supplement — it flushes food particles and bacteria from areas that traditional floss may miss.

Playing Sports with Braces

You can absolutely continue playing sports during orthodontic treatment. However, we strongly recommend wearing an orthodontic mouthguard during any physical activity, especially contact sports like football, basketball, soccer, and martial arts. Orthodontic mouthguards are designed to fit comfortably over brackets and protect your teeth, lips, and cheeks from impact.

Ask our team at your next appointment — we keep mouthguards available and can help you find the right fit.

Retainers and Appliance Care

After your braces come off, custom retainers are essential to maintain your new smile. Without consistent retainer wear, teeth naturally tend to shift back toward their original positions — a process called orthodontic relapse.

Retainer Care Instructions

• Wear as directed — Follow Dr. Weeks’ instructions on how many hours per day to wear your retainer. Most patients start with full-time wear and transition to nighttime only
• Clean daily — Brush your retainer with water and a soft toothbrush every day. For deeper cleaning, use a denture cleaning tablet
• Store it safely — Always keep your retainer in its plastic case when not in your mouth. Never wrap it in a napkin — it will get thrown away
• Keep away from heat — Do not leave retainers in a hot car, near a stove, or in boiling water. Heat can warp the plastic and ruin the fit
• Keep away from pets — Dogs and cats love to chew on retainers. Store them out of reach
• Bring it to every appointment — We will check the fit and condition at each visit

If your retainer feels tight after not wearing it for a few days, that is a sign your teeth have started to shift. Put it back in and wear it consistently. If it is broken or lost, contact us as soon as possible — there may be an additional charge for replacement appliances.

When to Call Weeks Orthodontics

While mild soreness is normal, certain situations require prompt attention. Visit our orthodontic emergency care page or call us at (407) 699-1102 if you experience:

• A broken or loose bracket that has detached from the tooth
• A poking wire that is causing a sore or ulcer on your cheek or gum
• A loose band (metal ring) around a molar
• An allergic reaction to any orthodontic material (rare, but possible)
• Persistent sharp pain that does not improve after three to four days
• A broken or lost retainer

Do not wait for your next scheduled appointment if something feels wrong. Our team at both our Winter Springs and Oviedo offices is here to help you stay comfortable and on track throughout your treatment.

Your Treatment Timeline

The average orthodontic treatment with braces lasts 12 to 24 months, depending on the complexity of your case. Here is what to expect at each stage:

1. Week 1 — Adjustment period. Mild soreness, getting used to brackets and wires. Stick to soft foods
2. Weeks 2 to 4 — Discomfort subsides. Cheeks and lips toughen up. You get more comfortable eating and speaking
3. Monthly adjustments — Every four to eight weeks, you will visit our office for adjustments. Expect mild soreness for one to two days after each visit
4. Mid-treatment — Visible progress. Teeth are noticeably straighter. Elastics may be added to correct bite alignment
5. Final months — Fine-tuning tooth positions and bite. This is when wearing elastics consistently matters most
6. Braces off — The exciting day. Your new smile is revealed and custom retainers are fitted

Questions About Living with Braces?

Every patient’s orthodontic experience is unique. If you have questions about your treatment, eating with braces, managing discomfort, or anything else, our team is always here to help. Schedule an appointment at our Winter Springs or Oviedo office, or call us at (407) 699-1102.

For more information about our treatment options, visit our pages on traditional braces, ceramic braces, Invisalign®, and early childhood orthodontics. We also offer resources for adults, teens, and children starting orthodontic treatment.