SW3 Dental · King's Road, Chelsea

Brace Care at Home – keeping teeth healthy during treatment

Looking after your teeth and braces at home protects your enamel and gums and helps treatment stay on track. Here is the routine our Chelsea team recommends.

Book a free consultation Choose a time online Call 020 3474 6302

★★★★★ 5.0 on Google · King's Road, Chelsea · 0% finance with Tabeo

Your daily kit

Soft or electric toothbrush
Fluoride toothpaste
Interdental brushes or floss threaders
Orthodontic wax

Why brace care matters

Plaque collects easily around brackets and wires. Left there, it can cause gum inflammation and white or brown marks on the enamel that stay after braces come off. A few extra minutes a day prevents most problems.

Protects your enamel from marks and decay
Keeps your gums healthy so teeth move as planned
Helps avoid breakages that slow treatment

Your daily routine

Brush twice a day, and after meals if you can
Angle the brush towards the gum line, then clean above and below each bracket. Take at least two minutes.
Clean between your teeth once a day
Use interdental brushes, a floss threader or orthodontic floss under the wire. A water flosser can help too.
Use fluoride
Fluoride toothpaste, and a fluoride mouthwash if we recommend one, helps protect the enamel.
Check in the mirror
Look for food or plaque around each bracket before bed.

Eating with braces

Foods to avoid

Sticky and chewy sweets, chewing gum, hard nuts, popcorn and ice can bend wires or break brackets.

Foods to enjoy

Pasta, eggs, yoghurt, soup, soft fruit and cooked vegetables. Cut harder foods into small pieces.

Drinks

Keep sugary and fizzy drinks to mealtimes, or avoid them.

Protecting your braces

Wear an orthodontic mouthguard for contact sports
Don't chew pens, pencils or nails
Bite into food with your back teeth rather than your front teeth
Keep orthodontic wax handy for anything that rubs

If something breaks

A loose bracket or poking wire is rarely an emergency, but call us on 020 3474 6302 so we can arrange a repair. Our Ask Dr Sarah videos show quick fixes you can use at home.

Common questions

How often should I brush with braces?

At least twice a day, and ideally after meals, taking care to clean around every bracket.

Can I play a musical instrument with braces?

Yes. It can take a little time to adjust, but most people carry on as normal.

What should I do if a wire or bracket comes loose?

Call the practice so we can book a repair. Cover anything sharp with orthodontic wax in the meantime.

How long will I wear braces?

It depends on your teeth. Many treatments take between several months and two years; you'll get an estimate at your consultation.

Questions about your braces?

Call our Chelsea team on 020 3474 6302.

Book an appointment Choose a time online 020 3474 6302

SW3 Dental is part of a group of three practices with Waterloo Dental & Orthodontics (SE1) and Croydon Dental Practice & Addiscombe Orthodontics (CR0).