Risks

Wearing dental braces is generally a very safe procedure. However, there are some risks.

Short-term risks

Braces create tiny spaces around your teeth that can trap food particles and promote bacteria-filled plaque deposits. Failure to remove deposits of food and plaque can lead to:

• Loss of minerals in your teeth's outer enamel surface, which can leave permanent whitish stains on your teeth
• Tooth decay (cavities) and gum disease

Long-term risks

Long-term risks may include:

• Shorter root lengths. During tooth movement, some of the bone in the path of the moving tooth dissolves, while new bone is laid behind it. Permanent loss of tooth root length may occur during this process, which could lead to less stable teeth. In most cases, however, this doesn't cause any problems.
• Loss of correction. If you don't follow your orthodontist's instructions carefully after your braces are removed, particularly when it comes to wearing a device called a retainer, you may lose some of the correction gained while wearing your braces.

Reduce your risk of damage

To reduce the risk of damaging your teeth and braces:

• Cut down on sugary and starchy foods and beverages, which substantially contribute to plaque formation and tooth decay.
• Brush carefully, preferably after every meal, with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush. If you can't brush your teeth after your meal, rinse your mouth out with water.
• Rinse thoroughly to get all particles out of your braces. Check in the mirror to make sure your teeth are clean.
• Use a fluoride rinse if recommended by your dentist or orthodontist.
• Floss between braces and under wires with the help of a floss threader. Your orthodontist also may recommend a small flexible toothbrush to clean between braces and wires.
• Avoid sticky foods — such as chewing gum, chewy candies, caramel and taffy. They can pull off brackets, bands and wires.
• Avoid hard or crunchy foods — such as ice, raw carrots, hard candies, popcorn and nuts. They can break parts of your braces.
• Visit your dentist for checkups and cleaning as often as your dentist recommends, to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
• Follow instructions — lack of compliance can extend the time needed for completion and increase the chance of complications.