Braces FAQ: 50 Answers to Your Most Common Questions
Got more questions after reading our Ultimate Guide to Living with Braces? Here are answers to the ones we hear most.
Getting Started
1. Am I too old to get braces? No. While many patients start treatment as teens, more and more adults are getting braces every year. Orthodontic treatment works at any age as long as your teeth and gums are healthy enough to support tooth movement.
2. Will my teeth hurt when I first get braces? Some soreness and pressure are normal for the first several days as your teeth start responding to gentle pressure. This usually fades within about a week.
3. Is it normal for my speech to change after getting braces? Yes. Slight changes in speech are common at first and typically resolve as your mouth adjusts to the brackets and wires.
4. Why do my lips and cheeks feel irritated after getting braces? New brackets can rub against soft tissue until your mouth adapts. Orthodontic wax placed over the irritating bracket usually brings quick relief.
5. What can I do to manage soreness during the first week? Stick to soft foods, drink plenty of water, use orthodontic wax on irritating spots, and take an over-the-counter pain reliever if your orthodontist recommends it.
6. Will I feel sore after every adjustment appointment, not just the first time? Some tenderness after adjustments is common throughout treatment, but it’s usually mild and short-lived compared to the initial adjustment period.
Eating with Braces
7. What foods should I avoid with braces? Avoid hard foods (ice, hard candy, nuts, popcorn kernels), sticky foods (caramel, taffy, gummy candy, chewing gum), crunchy foods (chips, pretzels, whole apples, raw carrots), and chewy foods (tough steak, jerky, hard bagels), since these can damage brackets or bend wires.
8. Can I still eat hamburgers with braces? Yes, but cut the burger into smaller pieces rather than biting straight in, and choose a softer bun over a crusty roll to reduce strain on your brackets.
9. Can I eat chicken nuggets with braces? Yes. Chicken nuggets are soft enough to be a braces-friendly choice, especially compared to tougher meats. Cutting larger pieces in half makes them even easier to chew safely.
10. Can I eat popcorn with braces? It’s best to avoid it. Popcorn kernels and unpopped hulls are hard and can crack a bracket or get lodged around your wires, so it’s one of the foods orthodontists typically recommend skipping.
11. Can I eat nuts with braces? It’s best to avoid them. Nuts are hard and can crack or loosen a bracket, so they’re generally on the list of foods to skip until your braces come off.
12. Can I chew gum with braces? No, chewing gum should be avoided. It’s sticky enough to pull at brackets and get wrapped around wires, which can lead to breakage or a harder cleanup. Talk to your orthodontist if chewing sugar-free gum would be a good option.
13. Can I chew on ice with braces? No. Ice is one of the most common causes of broken brackets, since it’s hard enough to crack an appliance even though it seems harmless.
14. What foods are safe to eat with braces? Soft, braces-friendly options include pasta, rice, soft vegetables, bananas, applesauce, yogurt, oatmeal, pancakes, soft fruits, fish, chicken, eggs, and macaroni and cheese. For a full list of what to eat and what to avoid, see our Ultimate Guide to Living with Braces.
15. Can I eat apples or carrots with braces? Yes, as long as they’re sliced or cut into small pieces first, rather than bitten into whole.
16. Will I have to eat soft foods for my entire treatment? No. Soft foods are mainly recommended right after braces are placed or adjusted, when your teeth are most tender. Most people can return to a wider variety of foods with a few small modifications.
Brushing, Flossing, and Hygiene
17. How often should I brush my teeth with braces? Brush after every meal whenever possible, for at least two minutes each time.
18. What’s the best technique for brushing with braces? Angle your toothbrush above the brackets, brush below them, clean the chewing surfaces, brush carefully along the gumline, and don’t forget to brush your tongue.
19. Should I use a manual or electric toothbrush with braces? Either can work, but a soft-bristled or electric toothbrush often makes it easier to clean thoroughly around brackets.
20. Why is flossing more difficult with braces? The wires and brackets can block access between teeth, making it harder to maneuver regular floss. It gets easier with practice and the right tools.
21. What tools make flossing with braces easier? Floss threaders, orthodontic floss, water flossers, and interdental brushes can all help you clean between teeth more effectively.
22. Do braces cause white spots or stains on teeth? Braces themselves don’t stain teeth, but plaque that builds up around brackets can leave white spots if it isn’t cleaned away regularly. It’s important to keep up on your cleaning appointments with your dentist every 6 months during braces treatment.
23. How can I prevent white spots while wearing braces? Brush thoroughly, floss daily, limit sugary snacks and drinks, drink plenty of water, and keep up with regular dental cleanings.
Rubber Bands and Appliances
24. What do rubber bands (elastics) do for my braces treatment? Elastics help correct your bite, align your jaw, and improve tooth movement as part of your overall treatment plan.
25. What happens if I don’t wear my rubber bands as instructed? Skipping elastics or wearing them inconsistently can slow tooth movement and extend how long you need to wear braces.
26. What should I do if a wire or bracket breaks? Don’t panic. Use orthodontic wax to ease any irritation from a poking wire, and contact your orthodontist’s office to find out whether you need an appointment for a repair.
27. Should I try to fix a broken bracket or wire myself? No. Avoid attempting repairs on your own, and let your orthodontist’s office handle any broken appliances.
28. What are common braces problems that come up during treatment? Loose brackets, poking wires, broken elastics, and missing ligatures are among the most common issues patients experience.
Sports and Musical Instruments
29. Can I still play sports with braces? Yes. It’s recommended to wear an orthodontic mouthguard during contact sports like football, basketball, soccer, baseball, hockey, or wrestling to protect your mouth and appliances.
30. What kind of mouthguard should I use with braces? Options include lower-profile “comfort covers” that clip onto the brackets, which work well for sports like wrestling, as well as fuller mouthguards designed specifically for braces wearers, which many football leagues require.
31. Can I play a musical instrument if I have braces? Yes. Brass and woodwind instruments may feel awkward at first, but most musicians adjust within a few weeks, and orthodontic wax can ease irritation in the meantime.
Braces Colors
32. Can I choose what color my braces are? Yes. Most patients can pick new elastic band colors at every adjustment appointment, so there’s no need to commit to one look for your entire treatment.
33. What are the best colors for braces? It really comes down to personal taste, but popular fan-favorite picks include teal, navy, hot pink, black, purple, aqua, red, and emerald green. For a full breakdown by skin tone, season, and personality, check out our complete guide to choosing the best braces colors.
34. How often can I change my braces colors? Typically at every adjustment appointment, which usually happens every 4 to 8 weeks, giving you several chances throughout treatment to switch up your look.
35. Do braces colors cost extra? No. Choosing a color for your elastic bands is a standard part of treatment and isn’t an added expense.
36. What braces colors look best on fair or light skin? Cool, pastel tones tend to be flattering, including baby blue, lavender, mint, navy, teal, and silver or light gray.
37. What braces colors look best on medium or olive skin? Colors that range from earthy to bright work well, such as coral, peach, gold, forest green, maroon, and turquoise or aqua.
38. What braces colors look best on deep or dark skin tones? Bold, saturated shades create striking contrast, including neon green, electric blue, hot pink, emerald, sapphire, and bright red or gold.
39. What braces colors make your teeth look whiter? Darker, cooler shades create more contrast against enamel, which can make teeth appear brighter. Navy, royal blue, dark purple, emerald green, and black are popular choices for this effect.
40. What braces colors should I avoid if I don’t want my teeth to look yellow? Yellow, orange, brown, and clear bands (which can stain over time) tend to draw out any yellow tones in your teeth rather than brightening your smile.
41. What are good braces colors for each season? Many patients like to refresh their colors seasonally — soft shades like mint or lavender for spring, bright colors like aqua or lime for summer, warm tones like burnt orange or maroon for fall, and cool shades like icy blue or emerald for winter. See our seasonal braces color guide for a full list by season and holiday.
42. What braces colors work well for the holidays? Combining two colors tends to feel the most festive — think red and green for Christmas, purple and orange for Halloween, or red, white, and blue for Independence Day.
43. Can adults pick fun braces colors too, or is that just for kids and teens? Adults can absolutely choose colors. Some prefer bold or seasonal shades just like younger patients, while others go with something more subtle like clear, silver, or light gray.
44. What braces color should I get if I want something subtle or low-key? Clear, silver, light gray, or navy elastics tend to blend in more and offer a more understated look while still letting you personalize your smile.
45. How can I feel confident smiling in photos while wearing braces? Relax your face and think about something that genuinely makes you happy rather than trying to hide your brackets. Braces are a temporary part of your smile journey, and confidence makes a bigger difference in photos than trying to conceal them. Visit our article How to Smile Naturally for Photos for 6 helpful tips.
Treatment Timeline and Cost
46. Why are regular orthodontic appointments important? Appointments allow your orthodontist to tighten or change wires, monitor your progress, replace elastics, and make adjustments to keep your treatment on schedule.
47. What happens if I miss an adjustment appointment? Missing appointments can slow your progress and may increase your total treatment time.
48. How long will I need to wear braces? Treatment length varies by individual, but many people wear braces for about 18 to 24 months, with some finishing sooner and others needing more time. Our Ultimate Guide to Living with Braces walks through what to expect at each stage of treatment.
49. How much do braces cost? Cost varies depending on your specific treatment plan, but many orthodontic offices offer financing options and work with insurance to help make treatment more affordable. Contact our office for a personalized cost estimate.
After Braces
50. Do I still need to wear a retainer after my braces come off? Yes. Teeth naturally shift back toward their original positions after braces are removed, so wearing your retainer exactly as instructed is essential to protect your results.
