Printable aftercare sheet
Braces & Aligner Care — Living Well With Orthodontics
Orthodontics is a months-long partnership — these habits keep it comfortable, on schedule, and cavity-free.
After each adjustment / new tray (2–3 days)
- Pressure and mild soreness are the teeth responding — soft foods for a day or two
- Orthodontic wax on any bracket or edge that rubs; call us for persistent pokes
- Pain relief as per the label if needed the first evening
- New aligner trays: switch at night so the tightest hours pass while you sleep
Everyday — braces
- Brush after every meal, angling into the brackets and gum line
- Interdental brushes or floss threaders daily — decalcified squares around brackets are forever
- Avoid hard, sticky and chewy foods: no whole apples (cut them), no chikki, no chewing ice or pens
- Wear elastics exactly as prescribed — they only work full-time
Everyday — aligners
- Wear 20–22 hours a day; every hour out of the mouth is treatment not happening
- Remove for anything except water; rinse trays before re-inserting
- Brush or at least rinse after meals before trays go back in
- Clean trays daily with a soft brush and cool water — never hot water (they warp)
- Keep the previous set of trays as backup in case one is lost
After treatment — retainers
- Wear retainers exactly as prescribed — teeth drift without them; retention IS the final stage of treatment
- Clean retainers daily; avoid hot water and sticky foods with removable retainers
- Bring retainers to every check-up so fit can be verified
Call us promptly if you notice
- A broken bracket, poking wire or cracked aligner — call us; don't wait for the next visit
- White chalky marks appearing around brackets (early decalcification)
- A swallowed or badly distorted aligner — we'll advise whether to move to the next tray
FF-109, PNTC Building, Times of India Press Rd, Vejalpur (Prahladnagar), Ahmedabad, Gujarat 380051, India
These are general instructions — anything specific we told you at your appointment takes precedence. Medically reviewed by Dr. Vernica Agarwala.
Questions during recovery?
A quick message beats a worried night — we answer aftercare questions round the clock for surgical patients.
Or call us directly: +91 81411 96667