Getting braces requires a combination of dental readiness, diagnostic records, financial planning, and a commitment to daily care routines that protect your teeth throughout treatment. Most people focus on the braces themselves, but what you actually need spans everything from your first consultation to the habits you’ll maintain for one to three years of active treatment.
What Happens at the First Consultation
Your orthodontist will start with a thorough exam of your teeth, jaws, and bite, looking for overcrowding, misalignment, or bite problems. From there, you’ll typically go through several diagnostic steps:
- X-rays: These show the position of your tooth roots and jawbone structure. A panoramic X-ray captures the full mouth in one image, while smaller periapical X-rays focus on individual teeth.
- Photographs: Your orthodontist takes facial and dental photos to plan treatment and track changes over time.
- Impressions or digital scans: Either a physical mold or a digital scanner creates a precise 3D model of your teeth, which is used to design your treatment plan and any custom appliances.
These records together give the orthodontist a complete picture of what needs to move, how far, and in what direction. Some offices handle all of this in one visit; others split the exam and records into two appointments.
Healthy Teeth Before You Start
Braces bond directly to your tooth enamel, so your teeth and gums need to be in good shape before placement. That means any cavities, gum disease, or infections should be treated first. Most orthodontists will want a recent dental cleaning and clearance from your general dentist. If you need extractions to make room for crowded teeth, those happen before the braces go on as well.
Financial Planning and Insurance
Braces are a significant financial commitment, and coverage varies widely. Most dental insurance plans that include orthodontic benefits cover a portion of treatment, but whether your case qualifies can depend on how your state defines “medically necessary” orthodontic care. There is no single federal standard for this.
The American Association of Orthodontists has proposed specific qualifying criteria that many insurers reference. Cases that tend to qualify include: upper front teeth protruding 9 mm or more beyond the lower teeth, crossbites affecting three or more teeth per arch, open bites of 2 mm or more across four or more teeth, impacted teeth that can’t erupt on their own, and crowding or spacing of 10 mm or more in either arch. If your case falls outside these thresholds, insurance may classify it as cosmetic and limit or deny coverage.
Most orthodontic offices offer monthly payment plans that spread the cost over the length of treatment. Ask about these during your consultation, and check whether your employer offers a flexible spending account or health savings account that can be used for orthodontic expenses.
The Adjustment Schedule
Once braces are placed, you’ll return to the orthodontist every 6 to 10 weeks for adjustments. These visits are when wires are tightened or replaced to keep teeth moving according to plan. They’re usually quick, but you’ll need to account for the ongoing time commitment, especially if you have a demanding work or school schedule. Missing or delaying appointments can extend your overall treatment time.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children have their first orthodontic screening by age 7, when enough adult teeth have come in to spot early problems. That said, braces can be placed at almost any age once the necessary adult teeth are present.
Oral Hygiene Supplies You’ll Need
Braces create dozens of tiny spaces where food and plaque accumulate, so your daily hygiene routine gets more involved. Plan on stocking up on a few essentials before your braces go on.
A soft-bristle or bi-level toothbrush is the foundation. You should brush two to four times per day, ideally after every meal and once before bed. The technique changes slightly: brush the outer surfaces with small circular motions, tilting the bristles toward the gumline to reach the gaps between teeth and brackets, then brush the chewing surfaces with a firm back-and-forth motion, and finish with the tongue-side surfaces. Pay extra attention to the back molars, which are easy to miss.
Flossing once daily is still essential, but it takes a bit more work. A floss threader, a small plastic loop, lets you thread floss underneath the archwire so you can clean between each pair of teeth. It’s slower than regular flossing, but skipping it leads to cavities between teeth that you won’t notice until the braces come off.
A few other tools make a real difference:
- Interdental brush: A tiny, pine tree-shaped brush that fits between brackets and dislodges stuck food. Small enough to carry in a pocket or bag.
- Water flosser: Uses a pressurized stream of water to flush bacteria and debris from hard-to-reach spots. It’s not a replacement for flossing, but it’s a useful addition.
- Disclosing tablets: Vegetable dye tablets that stain plaque a bright color, showing you exactly which areas you missed while brushing. Especially helpful in the first few weeks as you learn your new routine.
Foods to Avoid and What to Eat Instead
Certain foods can snap wires, pop off brackets, or get hopelessly stuck in your braces. The main categories to avoid are hard, sticky, and overly crunchy foods: hard candy, taffy, caramel, popcorn, nuts, raw crunchy vegetables and fruits (when you bite into them whole), crispy pizza crust, bagels, hard rolls, and ice. Chewy cuts of meat can also stress brackets, so cut meat into small pieces before eating.
The good news is you can still eat well. Soft foods that work great with braces include mashed potatoes, yogurt, smoothies, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, soups, soft-cooked pasta, flaky fish and seafood, steamed vegetables, soft cheeses, bananas, and pizza with a softer crust. Most of these are especially helpful in the first few days after getting braces or after adjustment appointments, when your teeth are most sensitive.
Managing Soreness After Adjustments
Your teeth will ache after the initial placement and again after each adjustment, typically for a few days. This is normal, and it means your teeth are moving. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is generally preferred over ibuprofen for orthodontic pain because it relieves discomfort without interfering with the biological process that allows teeth to shift.
Beyond medication, several at-home strategies help. A saltwater rinse, one teaspoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water swished for 30 seconds up to four times a day, soothes irritated gums. Applying an ice pack to the outside of your cheek for 10 to 15 minutes reduces swelling. Cold foods like frozen yogurt or smoothies can numb sore spots naturally, just don’t bite down on ice. Gently massaging your gums with a clean finger increases circulation and relieves tension. And sticking to soft foods during the first couple of days after an adjustment minimizes pressure on teeth that are already tender.
Orthodontic Wax and Other Comfort Items
Brackets and wires can rub against the inside of your cheeks and lips, especially in the first few weeks before your mouth toughens up. Orthodontic wax is a small, pliable strip you press over any bracket or wire that’s causing irritation. It creates a smooth barrier between the metal and your soft tissue. Most orthodontists send you home with a supply, but you can buy more at any pharmacy. Keep a pack in your bag, at your desk, and at home so it’s always within reach when you need it.
A small mirror and a travel toothbrush kit are also worth keeping on hand. Food caught visibly in your braces is one of the most common frustrations people mention, and a quick check after meals saves you from finding out hours later.