No matter how long your treatment period is, your time with braces is very short compared to the time you will have nice, straight, white, pearly teeth later in life. Here is some information about the braces wearing period: Active Life while wearing braces is not necessarily very different from your life before. With proper care and maintenance, all activities can continue while you create a perfect smile. You will be pleased to find that orthodontic treatment will not interfere with your current lifestyle – you can sing, play an instrument, go out to eat, kiss and even take pictures. If you have questions about certain special activities, be sure to ask your orthodontist. Food: What can I eat? Please choose foods that are soft. Avoid hard, sticky, crunchy or chewy foods. When you first get braces or after your braces have been adjusted, you may need to eat foods that are not chewy or do not need to be chewed at all, such as soup, porridge, soft rice, etc. You may wish to consult further with your dentist to determine some recipes that are suitable for brace wearers. Care and Maintenance It is important to take good care of your teeth during orthodontic treatment. By brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, you can keep your teeth and gums in good condition and ensure that your orthodontic treatment will give you the healthiest smile possible. How to Clean Brush your teeth thoroughly after each meal or snack you have eaten. If you don’t brush right after eating, make sure you rinse your mouth carefully with water at least until you are able to brush your teeth. Carry a travel toothbrush with you so you can brush your teeth while you are away from home. At least once a day, brush your teeth and brush your braces thoroughly until they are spotless, then floss. This will take some extra time, so you may need to do this before you go to bed each night. How to brush One effective way to determine if you are brushing correctly is to verify that your braces look clean and shiny and that you can clearly see the edges of your braces, if the answer to both questions is yes, then you are brushing correctly. Use fluoride toothpaste and a toothbrush with soft, rounded bristles that are in good condition. Since braces wear out toothbrushes quickly, replace your toothbrush as soon as it shows signs of wear. Brush every part of your braces and brush your teeth thoroughly – front, side and back. Be sure to brush your tongue and palate at the same time. Brush your gums gently and thoroughly. Rinse your mouth thoroughly after brushing. How to Floss Flossing your braces may seem like a difficult task, but it’s very important. And like anything, with some practice, it gets faster. Floss every night before you go to bed. When flossing your braces, you may have to use a floss threader. This reusable tool allows you to easily pull the floss underneath the archwire. Be sure to clean carefully along the lower side of the gum contour.