Wearing Braces

The Guide For Braces

All you need to know about getting braces: from the basics, to what its like to wear them, and post care information.

Book an appointment
A dental professional wearing blue gloves handling a clear dental aligner over a tray of different dental models and aligners on a white surface.

#1 Starting Your Braces Journey

  • What are braces & how they work

  • Types of braces (metal, ceramic, clear)

  • Choosing the right kind for you

  • What to expect at your first appointment

  • Getting your braces on (bonding day prep)

Getting Started With Braces
A man and a boy walking hand-in-hand down a sidewalk, smiling and enjoying each other's company on a sunny day.

#2 Daily Life with Braces

  • Oral hygiene (brushing, flossing, waterpik, etc.)

  • Eating with braces (foods to avoid, smart snacks)

  • Dealing with soreness or discomfort

  • Tips for school, work, and everyday life

  • Playing sports safely (mouthguards, precautions)

  • Traveling with braces (what to pack, staying prepared)

Daily Life With Braces
Dental tools and teeth molds arranged on a medical tray in a dental clinic.

#3 Appliances & Attachments

  • Elastics (rubber bands)

  • Forsus™ appliance

  • Headgear (including reverse)

  • MARA appliance

  • Palatal expanders (plus adjustment instructions)

  • TADs (Temporary Anchorage Devices)

  • Why these tools are used & how to care for them

Appliances & Attachments
A young woman is smiling in front of a mirror, holding a clear aligner to her teeth.

#4 Emergencies, Retainers & Life After Braces

  • Common issues (loose brackets, pokey wires, broken appliances)

  • What you can fix at home vs. when to call us

  • Using wax, managing pain

  • Getting your braces off

  • Retainer types (clear, fixed, removable)

  • Retainer care & replacement tips

  • Protecting your results long-term

Emergencies & Life After Braces