Braces are designed to gradually move your teeth into healthier and more balanced positions. However, the success of orthodontic treatment does not depend only on the braces themselves. Your daily habits can also influence how well your treatment progresses.
Certain habits can damage brackets and wires, increase discomfort, make cleaning more difficult, and potentially extend the overall treatment time. Avoiding these habits and following your orthodontist’s instructions can help keep your treatment on track.
Bad Habits to Avoid During Braces Treatment
1. Chewing on Hard Objects
Biting pens, pencils, fingernails, ice, or other hard objects can damage brackets and orthodontic wires.
2. Eating Hard and Sticky Foods
Foods such as hard sweets, chewing gum, caramel, and very hard nuts can loosen or break orthodontic components.
3. Ignoring Oral Hygiene
Braces create additional areas where food particles and plaque can collect, increasing the risk of cavities and gum problems.
4. Playing With Braces
Constantly touching or moving brackets and wires with your fingers or tongue can potentially loosen them.
5. Missing Orthodontic Appointments
Regular appointments allow your orthodontist to monitor tooth movement and make necessary adjustments.
6. Not Wearing Elastics as Directed
If your orthodontist prescribes elastics, wearing them inconsistently can affect how your teeth and bite progress.
Braces treatment requires cooperation between you and your orthodontic team. Small daily habits can make a significant difference in protecting your appliances and helping your treatment progress as planned.
Why Do Habits Matter During Braces Treatment?
Orthodontic appliances apply controlled forces to gradually move teeth.
For this movement to occur effectively, the brackets, wires, elastics, and other components need to remain in the correct position.
Certain habits can interfere with treatment by:
• Damaging brackets
• Bending orthodontic wires
• Increasing plaque buildup
• Causing gum irritation
• Increasing the risk of tooth decay
• Interrupting planned tooth movement
• Requiring additional appointments
• Potentially extending treatment time
Your orthodontist will provide specific instructions based on the type of braces you have and your individual treatment plan.
1. Chewing on Pens, Pencils, and Other Objects
One of the easiest habits to overlook is chewing on objects while studying, working, or concentrating. Biting pens, pencils, bottle caps, or similar objects can put excessive pressure on brackets and wires.
This may cause
• Loose brackets
• Bent wires
• Broken components
• Irritation inside the cheeks
If you have a habit of chewing objects, try to become more aware of when you do it and avoid placing them between your teeth.
2. Biting Your Fingernails
Nail biting can place repeated pressure on the front teeth and orthodontic brackets. The habit can also make it easier for brackets to become damaged or loosened. If nail biting is difficult to stop, speak to your orthodontist about strategies that may help you manage the habit while protecting your braces.
3. Chewing Ice
Ice can be extremely hard and may put considerable force on orthodontic appliances. Chewing ice can potentially damage brackets, wires, or even the teeth themselves. Instead of chewing ice, allow it to melt naturally if you enjoy cold drinks.
4. Eating Hard Foods Without Cutting Them
Certain foods are not necessarily forbidden during orthodontic treatment, but the way you eat them can make a difference. Hard fruits and vegetables should generally be cut into smaller, manageable pieces rather than bitten directly with the front teeth.
For example, instead of biting directly into a whole apple or hard carrot, cut it into smaller pieces. This can reduce unnecessary pressure on brackets.
5. Eating Sticky and Chewy Foods
Sticky foods can cling around brackets and wires and may be difficult to remove completely.
Examples include
• Chewing gum
• Caramel
• Toffee
• Sticky sweets
• Chewy candies
These foods can potentially pull on brackets and make oral hygiene more challenging. Following your orthodontist’s dietary recommendations can help protect your appliances.
6. Drinking Too Many Sugary Drinks
Sugary drinks can increase the risk of tooth decay, particularly when braces make cleaning more difficult.
Regular consumption of
• Soft drinks
• Energy drinks
• Sweetened juices
• Sugary coffees
• Sweetened teas, can expose your teeth to sugar and, in some cases, acids.
Water is generally the best everyday drink for maintaining oral health during orthodontic treatment. If you do consume sugary or acidic drinks, follow your orthodontist’s advice about rinsing and brushing.
7. Poor Brushing and Flossing Habits
Braces create additional spaces where food and plaque can accumulate. If you do not clean around brackets and between your teeth properly, you may develop
• White spots on teeth
• Cavities
• Bad breath
• Plaque buildup
Maintaining good oral hygiene is therefore one of the most important parts of successful orthodontic treatment.
Your orthodontist may recommend an orthodontic toothbrush, interdental brush, floss threader, or water flosser depending on your needs.
8. Rushing Through Brushing
Simply brushing your teeth twice a day is not enough if you consistently miss the areas around your brackets.
Take time to clean:
• Above the brackets
• Around the brackets
• Below the brackets
• Along the gumline
• Between the teeth
Gentle but thorough brushing can help keep your teeth and gums healthy throughout treatment.
9. Playing With Brackets and Wires
It can be tempting to run your tongue over your braces or touch loose-feeling brackets with your fingers. Repeatedly pushing, pulling, or moving orthodontic components can potentially cause damage. If a bracket feels loose or a wire is irritating your cheek, contact your orthodontic team rather than trying to fix the problem yourself.
10. Ignoring Broken Brackets or Wires
A damaged bracket or wire should not be ignored. Even if it does not hurt, a broken component may interfere with the planned tooth movement. It can also cause irritation to your cheeks, lips, or gums. Contact your orthodontist and follow their instructions about whether you need an earlier appointment. Do not attempt to glue brackets back onto your teeth or cut orthodontic wires at home unless specifically instructed by your orthodontic team.
11. Not Wearing Elastics as Prescribed
Some orthodontic treatments require elastics to help correct the relationship between the upper and lower teeth. If you are instructed to wear elastics for a specific number of hours each day, inconsistent use may affect treatment progress. You should also avoid wearing more elastics than prescribed. More force does not necessarily mean faster treatment and may interfere with controlled tooth movement.
Follow your orthodontist’s exact instructions.
12. Missing Orthodontic Appointments
Regular appointments allow your orthodontist to monitor your progress and make adjustments to your braces.
Missing appointments can delay
• Wire changes
• Bracket adjustments
• Elastic changes
• Progress assessments
• Treatment planning
If you cannot attend an appointment, contact the clinic as soon as possible to reschedule.
13. Ignoring Your Orthodontist’s Instructions
Every orthodontic treatment plan is different. Your orthodontist may provide instructions about:
• Food choices
• Elastics
• Oral hygiene
• Retainers
• Braces care
• Appointment schedules
Ignoring these instructions can make treatment less predictable. If something is uncomfortable, difficult, or unclear, ask your orthodontist rather than stopping the recommended routine yourself.
14. Smoking and Tobacco Use
Smoking and tobacco use can negatively affect oral health. During orthodontic treatment, maintaining healthy gums and teeth is particularly important.
Smoking may contribute to:
• Gum problems
• Staining
• Plaque accumulation
• Bad breath
• Reduced overall oral health
Avoiding tobacco can help support healthier teeth and gums throughout orthodontic treatment.
15. Using Your Teeth as Tools
Your teeth should not be used to open packages, tear plastic, remove bottle caps, or perform other tasks. With braces, these habits can place unnecessary force on brackets and wires.
Use the appropriate tool instead of your teeth.
Can Bad Habits Make Braces Take Longer?
They can potentially contribute to treatment delays.
For example, repeatedly breaking brackets may require repairs and additional appointments. Missing orthodontic appointments or failing to wear prescribed elastics can also interfere with treatment progress. Treatment time varies considerably between patients, and your orthodontist is best placed to estimate your expected treatment duration. Avoiding habits that interfere with your treatment can help keep your orthodontic plan progressing as intended.
What Should You Eat During Braces Treatment?
A braces-friendly diet does not have to be boring. You can generally choose softer foods and prepare harder foods in ways that make them easier to eat.
Good options may include
• Soft fruits
• Cooked vegetables
• Eggs
• Yogurt
• Pasta
• Rice
• Soft meats
• Fish
• Soups
• Smoothies
Hard foods can often be cut into smaller pieces rather than bitten directly. Always follow the specific dietary instructions provided by your orthodontist.
What Should You Do If a Bracket Breaks?
If a bracket becomes loose or a wire breaks, do not panic. Contact your orthodontist and explain what happened.
Until you receive professional advice
• Avoid playing with the damaged component
• Choose softer foods
• Use orthodontic wax if recommended for irritation
• Avoid pulling or cutting the wire yourself
• Follow the clinic’s instructions
A broken bracket may not always require an emergency appointment, but your orthodontic team should determine what needs to be done.
How Can You Keep Your Braces Clean?
Good oral hygiene should be part of your daily routine throughout treatment. Brush at least twice daily and clean carefully around your brackets.
Depending on your orthodontist’s recommendations, you may also use
• Interdental brushes
• Floss threaders
• Water flossers
• Fluoride toothpaste
• Orthodontic cleaning aids
Regular professional dental checkups may also be recommended alongside your orthodontic appointments.
What About Sports During Braces Treatment?
You can often continue participating in sports while wearing braces. However, contact sports can increase the risk of injury to the lips, cheeks, teeth, and orthodontic appliances. An orthodontic mouthguard may be recommended, particularly for sports involving physical contact.
Speak to your orthodontist about choosing appropriate protection for your activity.
What Happens After Braces Are Removed?
Avoiding bad habits remains important even after your braces are removed. Your orthodontist will usually provide retainers to help maintain your new tooth positions. Retainers need to be worn according to your orthodontist’s instructions.
Failing to wear them as recommended can allow teeth to shift. Good oral hygiene and regular dental care should also continue after orthodontic treatment is completed.
Build Better Habits for a Better Orthodontic Result
Braces can create a significant change in your smile, but successful treatment involves more than simply wearing an orthodontic appliance. Avoiding hard and sticky foods, stopping habits such as nail biting and object chewing, maintaining excellent oral hygiene, wearing elastics as instructed, and attending regular appointments can all help protect your treatment.
If something feels unusual or a component becomes damaged, contact your orthodontist rather than attempting to fix it yourself.
If you are considering braces or are currently undergoing orthodontic treatment, our orthodontic team can assess your teeth, discuss your treatment goals, and provide personalized guidance throughout your orthodontic journey. Call us today at 800777000 to book a FREE consultation with our specialist orthodontists at Go Dental Clinics.
