When you begin orthodontic treatment, understanding how to care for your smile at home sets you up for the best possible results. Our goal at Straight Smiles Orthodontics is to guide you with helpful, realistic advice. These tips for braces and clear aligners are grounded in decades of orthodontic expertise and designed to fit smoothly into your daily routine.
Whether you’re wearing traditional braces or transitioning to Invisalign or Solventum Clarity Aligners, the correct habits can make your experience excellent.
Three Generations of Orthodontic Excellence
Since 1961, the Rafaill family has helped patients throughout Shelby Township, Rochester Hills, Commerce Township, and surrounding areas achieve restored smiles. As a third-generation, family-owned practice, Straight Smiles Orthodontics offers something quite rare in today’s industry: orthodontic care rooted in tradition, craftsmanship, and personalized attention.
Dr. Nicholas Rafailland Dr. Thomas Rafaillare the top orthodontic specialists in the Metro Detroit region. What once required hand-bent wires and individually crafted bands has evolved into today’s advanced digital orthodontics, but our philosophy remains the same:Treat every patient as an individual, provide honest guidance, and deliver exceptional results.
5 Tips for Your Braces
1. Keep Your Cleaning Routine Consistent: Food can easily get trapped around braces, so brushing after meals is key. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and don’t forget an interproximal (“Christmas tree”) brush for hard‑to‑reach spaces.
2. Choose Braces‑Friendly Foods: Avoid crunchy, sticky, or chewy foods that can break brackets or bend wires. Focus on softer options like yogurt, eggs, pasta, and steamed veggies. Protecting your braceskeeps your treatment on schedule.
3. Use Orthodontic Wax When Needed: If a bracket or wire irritates your cheek, orthodontic wax is a simple solution. Apply a small piece over the area to keep things comfortable while your mouth adjusts. Replacing the wax as needed helps prevent sores and keeps you comfortable while your tissues adapt.
4. Wear Elastics as Directed: Elastics help your bite align properly. Skipping them, even occasionally, can delay your progress. Consistency is one of the most powerful tips for braces success.
5. Know When to Contact Us: If something breaks, pokes, or seems off, call our office. A quick repair prevents delays and keeps treatment moving smoothly. Reaching outearly allows us to fix the issue quickly, prevent setbacks, and keep your smile progressing as planned.
5 Tips for Your Clear Aligners
1. Wear Aligners 20–22 Hours Per Day: Success with clear alignersdepends on consistent wear. Removing them too often reduces effectiveness, extending treatment time. Building a steady routine helps you stay on track.
2. Switch Trays on Schedule: Your treatment plan includes precise timing for each aligner. Changing trays too early or too late disrupts progress. Setting reminders on your phone or using your aligner app ensures you stay aligned with your prescribed schedule.
3. Clean Aligners Daily: Use cool water and a soft toothbrush, never hot water, which can warp the material. Keeping trays clean prevents staining and odor. Clean trays also help maintain oral hygiene since trapped bacteria can affect your teeth and gums.
4. Remove Aligners to Eat and Drink: Only water is safe with alignersin place. Food and colored beverages can stain aligners and increase your risk of cavities. Always store them safely in their case, wrapped in napkins; aligners are easily lost or accidentally thrown away.
5. Use Chewies for Proper Fit: Bite gently on aligner chewies each time you insert your trays. This helps them sit fully on your teeth, ensuring more predictable movement. This simple step can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your treatment.
Why These Tips Matter
Whether you’re learning tips for braces or adjusting to clear aligners, consistent care makes a big difference. Orthodontic treatmentis a partnership where you bring the daily habits, and we provide the expertise, technology, and guidance to shape your smile.
At Straight Smiles Orthodontics, we use tools like the iTero® Element scanner, Carestream CBCT imaging, and digital X-rays to plan and monitor your progress with exceptional accuracy. But your at-home routines are equally important. Together, we can help you achieve a smile that lasts a lifetime.
Your Smile Partners for Life
Taking optimal care of your smileduring treatment keeps you moving confidently toward your goals. Whether you’re in braces or using clear aligners, adopting these simple habits can make your orthodontic process feel smoother and more successful.
Straight Smiles Orthodonticsis so honored to continue our 60-year family tradition of transforming smiles across Shelby Township, Rochester Hills, and Commerce Township into 2026. Whenever you need support, guidance, or reassurance, our team is here. We promise to treat you with compassion, respect, andthe personalized care you deserve.
For us, orthodontics is about changing lives for the better. We can’t wait to meet you!