When wearing fixed braces, it is important to cut foods like apples, carrots, or toast into small pieces to protect the brackets and wires. Hard or chewy foods such as sandwiches and meat should also be cut into smaller portions before eating.

Avoid sticky and hard snacks like popcorn, caramel, chewing gum, and nuts, as they can damage the braces or get stuck between wires. Never chew ice or other hard objects while wearing braces.

Maintaining oral hygiene with fixed braces requires a careful routine:

– Rinse your mouth with water to remove food debris from the braces.
– Use a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles, cleaning teeth and brackets carefully, especially under and above the wires.
– Use interdental brushes to clean hard-to-reach spaces between brackets and wires.
– Use dental floss with a threader to remove plaque between teeth under the wires.
– A water flosser helps to remove food particles and bacteria from the narrowest areas.
– Finally, rinse your mouth with fluoride mouthwash for extra protection against cavities.

Follow this routine after every meal, while thorough brushing should be done morning and night.

After fixed braces are removed, the orthodontist will prescribe retainers – clear aligner trays or wire devices that keep teeth in their new position. Without retainers, teeth can easily shift back, especially during the first few months.

Retainers should be worn all the time initially, except during eating and brushing, then only at night.The duration depends on the orthodontist’s advice but often lasts a year or more, with occasional use afterward to maintain permanent results. Consistent retainer use is key to long-lasting effects.