Braces: How to Take Care (2024)

Braces play a crucial role in straightening teeth and enhancing smiles.

Beyond aesthetics, braces also improve dental health and correct bite issues. It is a form of treatment performed by Orthodontists who are dental specialists focused on aligning teeth and improving jaw issues.

4 Tips tocare for yourbraces

Dr Song Yi Lin, Consultant from theDepartment of OrthodonticsatNational Dental Centre Singapore(NDCS), a member of theSingHealthgroup, offeredthe following advice, "Caring for your braces is essential for maintaining oral health and ensure a successful treatment outcome. Here are some essential tips:

1. Brush regularly

With braces on, your teeth are more difficult to clean. Brackets or attachments tend to accumulate plaque and small food particles, which can lead to a myriad of dental problems.

Hence, for your braces treatment to progress smoothly, you must maintain good oral hygiene.You should brush your teeth for 5 minutes every morning and night, and after every meal or snack.

Use short brushing strokes and remember to brush around all surfaces of your teeth –the inside, outside, and chewing surfaces of every tooth! You should also angle your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle towards your gums and brush gently.

Do pay extra attention to the parts of your braces with hooks as these are the areas that are likely to trap and retain plaque.

Remember not to leave food on your braces. Otherwise, you will have a higher risk of decay(dental caries)andgum disease. Having a toothbrush available to brush after meals and before your orthodontic visits will help!

2.Choose the right tools

Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth, together with a fluoride toothpaste. Any toothbrush with soft bristles will do the job. Do note that brushing with braces on may wear out your toothbrush faster. So, you may need to change your toothbrush more frequently.

Toothpaste with at least 1350ppm of fluoride is recommended for permanent teeth as fluoride helps to prevent cavities by strengthening the enamel surface and inhibits plaque bacterial growth.

You may alsouse a fluoride mouthwash to provide extra protection for your teeth enamel. Rinse your mouth after brushing with a fluoride mouthwash for at least one minute.

3.Use interdental brushes

No matter how much you brush every day, tiny food particles and plaque from the tiny spaces between your teeth and braces may still be present.

Interdental or interproximal brushes are tiny brushes that fit in the gaps between your teeth and braces, to get rid of any of the remaining food particles.

Flossing with braces is also possible!You may also use a floss with a floss threader, which makes it easier to floss with braces on. Choose waxed floss, as these slides more easily between your teeth.

There are also interspace brushes that are designed to clean larger spaces and can help with the hard-to-reach areas, especially around your molars.

4.Eat softerfoods

Eating with braces may feel quite strange at first, but you’ll get used to it. To make things easier, watch what you eat. You don’t want to eat anything that will dislodge the brackets and attachments.

Generally, you'll want tochoose softer foods. They’re easier to chew especially when you feel discomfort just after having your braces placed or immediately after your review appointments. Cutting your food into smaller pieces before eating will alsohelp.

Some softfoods toconsider include:

• Mashed potatoes

• Rice (rice cakes, rice noodles, porridge, congee)

• Noodles

• Fish cake and dumplings

• Boiled vegetables

• Soup

• Dairy products like milk, cheese, yoghurt, tofu

• Beans

• Soft bread and sandwiches

• Soft fruit (banana, watermelon, seedless grapes, blueberries)

• Juices andsmoothies (beware the sugar content in these)

Foodsthat youmay want to avoidas they can potentially damage your braces include:

• Hard and crunchy food(e.g., nuts, chips, popcorn, hard candy). They can bend your wires or damage your brackets and attachments.

• Sweet, fizzy drinks(e.g. soda) have sugar and acid that’s infamously known for causing tooth decay (ouch).

• Sticky foods(e.g., gummies, caramels). These may stick onto your braces and are difficult to brush away, increasing your risk of tooth decay.

More FAQsabout braces answered!

1. When are braces recommended?

"Braces are required when teethdonot bite so well due toan underlying jaw discrepancy. Visible signs of these may include increased horizontal or vertical overlap of the upper and lower teeth. Overlapping of teeth may also be present in cases of dental crowding," explainedDr Low Yuxuan, Associate Consultant from theDepartment of Orthodonticsat NDCS.

Braces may be recommended for various dental conditions, including:

• Crowding: Crooked or overlapping teeth

• Spaces between teeth

• Protruding upper front teeth

• Reverse bite or colloquially known as “Underbite”: lower front teeth bite in front of upperfront teeth

• Deep bite: Excessive vertical overlap of front teeth

• Open bite: Gap between upper and lower front teeth

• Cross bite: Poor bite between the upper and lower teeth

• Impacted teeth stuck in the jaw bone

• Jaw growth discrepancies: May require a combination of braces and jaw surgery

Braces apply gentle, continuous pressure to gradually shift teeth into their desired position over time, resulting in straighter teeth, a better bite, and improved oral health. Importantly, braces aren’t just for kids and teens – adults can benefit too!

2. When is the best time to start wearingbraces?

Dr Song shares that theoptimal timing for braces varies per individual, but here are some general guidelines:

a) Age

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first check-up with an orthodontist at theage of 7. By this age, enough permanent teeth have usually erupted to assess potential teeth alignment, bite, or jaw issues.

b) Type of dental problem

• For jaw-related issues or urgent bite problems, early intervention between the age of 9 to 11 years can help guide proper growth and development.

• For crooked teeth not related to jaw problems, treatment usually starts when all permanent teeth have erupted, around age 12.

• In some instances, when jaw surgery may be indicated as part of the overall treatment, braces treatment is best delayed until jaw growth has stabilised. This will mean waiting till about 16-17 years old for females and about 17-18 years old for males.

c) Adult considerations

There is no age limit as long as your teeth and gums are healthy hence adults can also seek and benefit from braces treatment. However, tooth movement may take a longer duration and treatment mechanics may potentially be more challenging.

d) Personal readiness

A child’s ability to follow oral hygiene practices and care for their braces properly is essential for successful treatment.

Consulting with an orthodontist can help determine the best timing for braces based on individual needs and circumstances.

3. What are the different types of braces?

If you’re thinking about getting braces, you’ll be asking this question at some point. There are several options available, each with its own advantages and considerations.

Fixed braces

Fixed braces involve the use of brackets that are attached to the front of each tooth and are connected by wires. These brackets can be made of metal or tooth-coloured ceramic.

Brackets are secured with rubber bands – you can look forward to customising your braces with the multitude of available colours!

• Metal braces are durable and effective for most orthodontic issues and are often the most cost-effective option. However, they are more noticeable than other types of braces.

• Ceramic braces are less visible but can be more fragile.

• Alternatively, there are self-ligating braces that are similar to metal braces but use a “sliding door” mechanism to secure the wire, eliminating the need for coloured rubber bands.

Clear aligner therapy

Clear aligners are removable, custom-made plastic trays that gradually move teeth. Each successive tray is designed to move your teeth gently towards the final position if you wear time all the time.

The aligners are hardly noticeable, and are removable for eating and cleaning, making them more comfortable and the go-to option for those concerned with aesthetics.

However, they require a lot of discipline to wear as patients would require to clock at least 20 to 22 hours a day and may not be suitable for complex cases.

Interceptive braces treatment

Removable or fixed braces can also be used for simple problems in younger patients, usually under age 12.

This is called interceptive braces treatment and aims to intervene early to correct poor bite or jaw growth disharmony, facilitate the eruption of teeth that are stuck, or eradicate bad habits such as thumb sucking.

4. What are the stages of braces treatment?

Braces treatment require a number of visits, from consultation to wearing retainers. It takes a while, but the result is certainly worth it! Here’s a brief overview:

• Step 1: Consultation
  This is when you first see your orthodontist to ask about braces. Your orthodontist will evaluate your teeth, jaw, and facial structure. You may need to take x-rays, photographs and a digital scan of your teeth to plan for your braces treatment.

• Step 2: Treatment plan
  Your orthodontist will assess your records and create a personalised treatment plan. Your orthodontist will also advise if you need to have teeth extracted to facilitate your orthodontic treatment, especially if you have overcrowded teeth.
  You may then receive information on the type of braces that are best suited to straighten your teeth, the expected duration, and what to expect during your braces journey.

• Step 3: Placement of braces
  After ensuring that your teeth are cleaned and there are no cavities, you are ready for braces to be placed on your teeth!
  Brackets, wires, or attachments will be placed on your teeth. This process may range from 30 minutes to an hour. Depending on the type of braces, you may also need to get them installed in stages.

• Step 4: Active treatment phase
  You will need to go back every 4 to 8 weeks for adjustments with yourorthodontist.During these appointments, your wires may be changed, and rubber bands or other assessories may be added as needed.Your orthodontist will monitor the movement of your teeth and make the necessary modifications to your braces.
  Your teeth may feel sore for a for a few days after you have just received your braces or attended your braces review appointments. This initial soreness will fade away after a few days.
  It is important to return for regular braces reviews so that your orthodontist can monitor your treatment progress closely.

• Step 5: Braces removal
  Once your teeth are properly aligned and biting well, the braces or attachments on your teeth will be removed.
  The duration of your braces journey depends on case complexity, your age, whether extractions are required and many other factors. The average duration of braces for extraction cases is about 2 to 3 years, while non-extraction cases can be significantly shorter.

• Step 6: Retention phase (It's important to remaindilligent here!)
  You will now be fitted with a retainer, and this marks the end of your active braces journey.
  Retainer wear is crucial to hold your teeth in their corrected positions and prevent teeth from shifting. Teeth tend to move back to their original positions in a process called “relapse”. So, keep your retainers on to prevent all your progress from going to waste!
  In the first year after your braces are removed, your teeth have a higher tendency to relapse. Therefore, retainer wear is crucial to maintain your teeth position and you may be instructed to keep your retainers on in the day and night.
  Some cases tend to relapse more than others and require extended wear. Growth- and age-related changes can affect tooth movement and cause relapse. Hence, retainers should be worn every night indefinitely to keep your teeth straight.
  Retainers do not usually have to be changed unless they are broken or do not fit well. Remember to follow the retainer care instructions that your orthodontist gave you!

Braces are an effective type of orthodontic treatment to straighten teeth. You’ll usually need to straighten your teeth if they are causing oral hygiene issues, bite problems, or aesthetic problems.

Follow your orthodontist’s recommendations for a healthy and beautiful smile!

​Ref: H24

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