Can I brush my teeth on the first day of braces?

Adults and teenagers in London are increasingly looking to straighten their teeth with orthodontic braces. At Whites Dental, we provide a wide range of braces treatments in London, including ceramic braces, Invisalign braces, Damon braces, and lingual braces. Why not book a free consultation with our dentist to discuss any questions you may have? If you are looking at braces for the over 30s, we can provide detailed assessments to help you choose the right treatment for your age, lifestyle, and goals.

Can I Brush My Teeth on the First Day of Braces?

Yes — and you absolutely should. Orthodontic treatment helps improve your smile and self-confidence, but it does come with an adjustment period. After your braces are fitted, you may experience soreness, aching, or minor irritation inside your lips and gums. These symptoms usually fade within a couple of weeks.

Dental braces are designed to correct crowding, misaligned teeth, or bite issues. They’re commonly fitted during teenage years, but many adults also benefit. To get the best outcome from your braces, consistent and careful brushing is vital. Left unchecked, food and bacteria can collect around brackets and wires, increasing the risk of stains, cavities, and gum infections.

Brushing with braces is very similar to regular brushing — you can use a standard toothbrush, though you may find the bristles wear down faster. Be gentle, avoid using too much pressure, and be thorough. A good rule of thumb is to replace your toothbrush more frequently during treatment.

What to Avoid Eating Right After Getting Braces

Some foods may irritate your mouth in the early days of braces, even if they’re normally safe. Here are some foods to avoid straight after your braces fitting:

• Ice cream
• Thick rolls or crusty bread
• Thicker cuts of meat
• Spicy foods
• Citrus fruits

Once your mouth adjusts, these can usually be reintroduced. However, throughout treatment, try to avoid sticky foods and excess sugar to protect your braces and enamel. Avoid fizzy drinks due to their acidity and risk of enamel erosion.

Foods to limit include: popcorn, caramel, chewing gum, crisps, and sweets. A healthy diet will lower your risk of cavities and help ensure your smile looks fantastic when the braces come off.

Brushing Technique with Braces

• Before brushing, rinse your mouth with water to loosen food stuck around your brackets.
• Start brushing at the gum line with your brush angled at 45 degrees.
• Brush above the brackets by angling down, then below the brackets by angling up.

How to Maintain Good Dental Hygiene with Braces

• Take your time. Brush thoroughly around each bracket and along the gum line to remove plaque and trapped food.
• Children and teens may need help learning how to angle their toothbrush correctly until they get the hang of it.

Remember, the end goal is a healthier mouth and a straighter, more beautiful smile. The initial adjustment phase is temporary — within a few weeks, your braces will start to feel normal, and you’ll be well on your way to an improved smile.

Learn More

If you’re looking for more information about orthodontic braces, please visit our orthodontics page.

Whites Dental has some of the best private dentists in London, providing fixed braces, Six Month Smiles, Fastbraces, Damon braces, and Invisalign clear braces to patients near London Bridge, Central London, Southwark, Elephant and Castle, and London Waterloo.

We are located in London Waterloo, adjacent to Waterloo train station and directly opposite Southwark Tube station. We’re also a 10-minute walk from London Bridge, Elephant and Castle Tube station, Borough Market, and just a 5-minute walk from Blackfriars and Southbank.