The first week in braces is the hardest, and it gets easier fast. Within a month most patients stop noticing their braces except when they eat something sticky or look closely in a mirror. This guide covers what everyday life with braces looks like at Lanier Orthodontics: the first few days, food, cleaning, sports, adjustment visits and what to do when something breaks.
The First Few Days
Putting braces on doesn’t hurt. Brackets are bonded to the surface of the teeth and the archwire is placed. What most people feel afterward is pressure and tenderness, especially when chewing. It usually peaks in the first two or three days.
- Soreness: over-the-counter pain relievers are usually enough.
- Rubbing: cheeks and lips need a few days to toughen up. Press a small piece of orthodontic wax over any bracket that rubs.
- Soft foods: plan the first few days around yogurt, pasta, soup, fish and soft cheeses.
- Speech: a slight lisp is possible for a day or two. Talking and reading aloud help it pass quickly.
If something still hurts after the first week, call us. Dr. Gass would rather adjust something than have you push through discomfort that doesn’t need to happen.
Eating With Braces
Most broken brackets come from food. The rule of thumb: avoid anything hard, sticky or chewy, and anything you have to bite into with your front teeth.
| Skip for now | Easy alternatives |
|---|---|
| Chips, popcorn, ice, raw carrots | Soft crackers, steamed vegetables, smoothies |
| Gummy candy, caramel, chewing gum | Chocolate without nuts or caramel, pudding, ice cream |
| Bagels, pizza crust, licorice | Soft bread, pasta, pancakes |
| Hard candy, croutons, thin-crust pizza | Soft cheese, eggs, mashed potatoes |
| Whole apples, corn on the cob | Apple slices, corn cut off the cob |
| Sports drinks and soda sipped all day | Water, or sugary drinks only with a meal |
Watch for habits too. Chewing pens and pencils, biting nails, chewing straws and using toothpicks can all bend wires and loosen brackets. Our braces FAQ has the full food list.
Keeping Teeth Clean
Brackets and wires trap food and plaque. Plaque left around brackets can leave white spots on the teeth when braces come off, and it can lead to cavities and gum problems during treatment. A routine that works:
- Brush after every meal, angling the brush above and below the brackets, not just across the front.
- Floss once a day with a floss threader or orthodontic floss. A water flosser is a useful extra.
- Use an interdental brush to clean between brackets and under the wire.
- Keep a travel toothbrush in your backpack, car or desk.
Keep your regular dental checkups and cleanings throughout treatment. Your dentist removes plaque and tartar around the brackets that brushing misses and watches for early decay.
Sports, Band and Everyday Activities
Braces don’t keep anyone off the field. For contact sports and activities where a fall is possible, such as football, basketball, baseball, soccer, lacrosse and mountain biking, wear a mouthguard to protect your lips and cheeks as well as the brackets. Ask about custom mouthguards at your next visit. Wind instrument players usually need a short adjustment period while their lips get used to the brackets.
Adjustment Visits
Braces work through small, steady changes. You will come in on average every 4 to 10 weeks, depending on your treatment and the type of braces you have. At these visits Dr. Gass checks your progress, changes wires as your teeth move, and replaces elastic ties if your braces use them. Self-ligating braces don’t use elastic ties, so their adjustment visits are often shorter and less frequent. Expect some tenderness for a day or two afterward, milder than the first week.
Elastics and Other Appliances
Many patients wear small rubber bands, called elastics, between the upper and lower braces at some point to correct the bite. They only work when they are worn as directed, usually most of the day and night, with fresh bands each day. Some treatment plans also include an expander or other orthodontic appliances. If yours does, we will show you how to care for it.
When Something Breaks
Loose brackets and poking wires happen, and most aren’t emergencies.
- Loose bracket: leave it in place if it’s still on the wire, cover it with wax if it rubs, and call to schedule a repair.
- Poking wire: push it flat with the eraser end of a pencil or cover the end with wax, then call us.
- Lost elastic tie: call so we can replace it at your next visit or sooner.
- Injury to the mouth or face: get urgent care first, then let us know.
Call or text (706) 525-7797 and our team will tell you whether it can wait for your next appointment.
Making Braces Your Own
Braces today can be as visible or as discreet as you like. Metal braces can use colored bands that you change at each visit. Clear ceramic brackets blend in with your teeth. Gold braces make a statement. Self-ligating braces skip the elastic ties. See every option on our types of braces page, or compare them with Invisalign.
After Braces Come Off
Teeth naturally try to drift back toward where they started, especially in the first months. Wearing your retainer as Dr. Gass directs protects the result you worked for. Learn about the options on our retainers page.
Questions About Life With Braces?
Dr. Wesley Gass is a board-certified orthodontist, and Lanier Orthodontics is a one-doctor practice, so he spends one-on-one time with each patient and explains every part of the plan. Getting started? Request a free consultation at our Dawsonville office.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get used to braces?
Most patients feel comfortable within one to two weeks. Soreness usually peaks in the first few days, and cheeks and lips adjust as they toughen.
Can I eat normally with braces?
Mostly, yes. Avoid hard, sticky and chewy foods, cut firm foods into small pieces, and skip biting into whole apples or corn on the cob.
Do I still need to see my dentist?
Yes. Keep your regular cleanings and checkups during treatment. Braces make plaque harder to remove, so professional cleanings matter even more.
What should I do if a bracket comes loose?
Cover it with wax if it rubs and call our office. A loose bracket is rarely an emergency, but it should be fixed so treatment stays on schedule.