Braces guides

How braces work and how long you wear them

Braces gradually move teeth and jaws into better alignment. Small brackets are cemented to the teeth and joined by a wire that your dentist or orthodontist adjusts at regular visits. Brackets can be metal or tooth-colored, and some systems sit behind the teeth. Removable aligners are another option under professional supervision.

According to ADA MouthHealthy, most people wear braces for one to three years and then use a retainer to hold the teeth in their new positions. Your own timeline depends on your plan, so ask your orthodontist for an estimate.

What to eat with braces

Hard, sticky and crunchy foods can bend wires, loosen brackets and get trapped. The American Association of Orthodontists says popcorn kernels, hard and sticky candy, nuts, ice, hard pretzels and chips, hard crusts and bagels, and raw crunchy produce are the main problems. Softer foods such as yogurt, soft cheese, bananas, berries, oatmeal, soft pasta and cooked vegetables are generally safe.

Read our guide on whether you can eat popcorn with braces for the full avoid list and snack swaps.

Keeping your teeth clean

Braces leave small spaces where food and plaque collect. ADA MouthHealthy stresses keeping up a good oral hygiene routine throughout treatment, and sugary foods add plaque around brackets that can stain or damage teeth. Your orthodontist can show you the brushing and cleaning tools that suit your braces, and regular dental checkups continue during treatment.

The food rules at a glance

Most food rules for braces come down to three ideas: nothing hard, nothing sticky, and nothing that has to be bitten into whole. The AAO and ADA lists overlap almost completely, which makes them easy to remember.

• Hard: nuts, ice, hard candy, hard pretzels and chips, hard crusts, bagels and hard rolls.
• Sticky: taffy, caramel, chewing gum and other sticky foods.
• Bitten into whole: popcorn kernels, corn on the cob, whole apples and raw crunchy vegetables; cut these up or cook them.
• Safe choices: soft cheese, yogurt, bananas, berries, soft chocolate, ice cream, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, soup, soft pasta, flaky fish and steamed vegetables.

Broken brackets and loose wires

A broken bracket or loose wire can slow treatment, according to the AAO. Do not try to fix hardware yourself. Call the office, describe what happened and follow their instructions on whether you need an earlier visit.

Questions to ask your orthodontist

A clear plan up front makes it easier to look after braces and to compare offices. Ask for the answers in writing where you can.

Different people end up with different timelines and hardware, so these questions are about your own case rather than an average.

• Which type of braces or aligners are planned, and why?
• How long is treatment expected to last, and how often are the visits?
• Which foods should I avoid, and is there a list I can keep?
• What should I do, and who should I call, if a bracket or wire breaks outside office hours?
• What kind of retainer will I need afterward, and how long will I wear it?

Retainers and life after braces

ADA MouthHealthy says most people follow braces with a retainer that holds the teeth in their new positions. Ask your orthodontist how long and how often to wear it, and what to avoid while you wear it, because the rules differ for fixed and removable retainers.

Keep your regular dental checkups throughout treatment and afterwards, since braces do not replace the cleanings and exams that catch decay and gum problems early.

Planning for braces

Braces involve a series of visits over time, so budget for the whole plan rather than one payment. Ask what the quoted fee covers, how often you are seen, and what happens if hardware breaks or treatment runs longer than planned.

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