October 19, 2025 by Dr. Adriana Da Silveira

7 Things You Should Never Do While Wearing Braces or Invisalign

Discover the top things to avoid when wearing braces or Invisalign. Learn Dr. D’s expert tips from Bee Cave Orthodontics to keep your smile healthy and your treatment on track.- Austin, Texas

Orthodontic treatment is an exciting journey toward a beautiful, healthy smile but it also comes with a few rules.

Whether your child or teen wears traditional braces or Invisalign® aligners, certain habits can slow down progress, cause discomfort, or even damage their teeth and appliances.

At Bee Cave Orthodontics, Dr. Adriana Da Silveira (Dr. D) shares the most common mistakes patients make and how to avoid them, so treatment stays smooth and smiles stay on track.

1. Don’t Skip Brushing or Flossing

When you wear braces, food particles easily get trapped around brackets and wires, creating a perfect environment for plaque buildup. Skipping brushing “just once” can lead to stains or cavities that stay behind even after your braces come off.

If you’re using Invisalign®, it’s still essential to brush and floss after every meal before putting your aligners back in, otherwise, you’re trapping food and bacteria inside the trays.

Dr. D’s Tip: Keep a travel toothbrush in your backpack or purse to make cleaning up on the go easy.

2. Don’t Eat Sticky or Hard Foods with Braces

Caramel, chewing gum, hard candies, and even crunchy chips might seem harmless until they pop off a bracket or bend a wire. Once that happens, teeth stop moving properly and treatment can take longer.

Instead, stick to softer foods and cut crunchy snacks into smaller pieces. Apples, carrots, and crusty bread? Perfectly fine if sliced thinly or eaten carefully.

For Invisalign wearers: Always remove aligners before eating or drinking anything besides water. Food and heat can stain or warp the trays.

3. Don’t Forget to Wear Your Aligners (or Elastics)

Consistency is key! Invisalign aligners should be worn 20–22 hours a day to be effective. Taking them out too often or forgetting to switch to the next set on time can delay results.
For braces wearers, skipping elastics or rubber bands means the bite won’t correct as planned and that can add months to treatment time.

Dr. D’s Tip: Set phone reminders or use the Invisalign app to track wear time and aligner changes.

4. Don’t Drink Sugary or Colored Drinks with Aligners

Soda, juice, coffee, and even flavored sparkling water can discolor your aligners and increase your risk of cavities.
Because aligners fit snugly over teeth, any sugary drink trapped underneath essentially bathes your teeth in sugar and acid for hours not a great combination!

Best choice: Water, always! Stay hydrated and protect that healthy smile.

5. Don’t Try to “Fix” or Adjust Anything Yourself

If a bracket breaks, a wire pokes, or an aligner feels tight, resist the urge to fix it at home.

Using household tools or forcing aligners can cause more harm than good.

Instead, call your orthodontist. At Bee Cave Orthodontics, Dr. D’s team can quickly help by scheduling a repair or providing at-home comfort tips until your visit.

6. Don’t Forget About Retainers After Treatment

When braces or Invisalign come off, retainers are what keep your new smile in place. Skipping them, even for a few days, can cause teeth to shift back.
Think of retainers as the “insurance” for your smile, small effort, big payoff.

Dr. D’s Tip: Wear them exactly as prescribed and keep them clean by rinsing and brushing daily.

7. Don’t Panic About Minor Discomfort

It’s normal to feel mild soreness after adjustments or when switching to a new set of aligners, it’s a sign your teeth are moving!
However, if your child experiences constant or sharp pain, it’s best to contact the orthodontist for an evaluation.

Comfort is a key part of successful treatment.

The Bottom Line

Braces and Invisalign are powerful tools for transforming smiles, but success depends on good habits. By avoiding these common mistakes and following Dr. D’s personalized instructions, your child or teen can enjoy faster results, fewer emergencies, and a healthier smile.

Schedule a Free Consultation and Learn More

If you have questions about braces or Invisalign for kids and teens, Bee Cave Orthodontics is here to help.

Dr. D — a Top Invisalign® Provider and expert in pediatric and teen orthodontics, offers gentle, advanced care for every smile, including children with special needs.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Dr. D now and start your child’s journey toward a confident, healthy smile.

Want to get to know us a little better? Check out our YouTube Videos!

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June 3, 2025 by Dr. Adriana Da Silveira

What is the Right Age to Start Orthodontic Treatment? Top 5 Reasons to Start Early

What is the Right Age to Start Orthodontic Treatment? Learn the ideal age to start orthodontic treatment, with pros and cons for every stage.- Bee Cave Orthodontics – Austin, Texas

As a parent, deciding when your child should begin orthodontic treatment can be a big question. You may be wondering: “Is now too early? Should we wait until their teen years?” The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all answer — but understanding the benefits and challenges of starting treatment at different ages can help you make the best decision.

Here’s what you need to know about the ideal age to start braces or Invisalign, and how each stage of development affects orthodontic care.

1. Ages 6–9: Early Intervention (Phase 1 Orthodontics)

What happens at this stage?
This is the perfect age for your child’s first orthodontic evaluation. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, children should see an orthodontist by age 7. Why? Because their jaw is still developing and it’s easier to guide their growth.

Braces & Invisalign at this age:

Braces: Used in some cases for crossbites, crowding, or protruding teeth.
Invisalign First: A specially designed clear aligner system for younger children with mixed dentition.

✅ Pros:

Can prevent more serious problems later.
Shorter and less invasive treatment in the future.
Boosts confidence early on.

⛔️ Cons:

May require a second round of treatment later.
Some kids may not be emotionally ready for daily care routines (especially with Invisalign).

2. Ages 10–12: Pre-Teen Years

What’s happening?
Most permanent teeth are in place or erupting. This is a prime age for interceptive treatment if problems weren’t caught earlier.

Braces & Invisalign at this age:

Braces are common for alignment and bite issues.
Invisalign is available, especially if the child is responsible enough to wear aligners consistently.

✅ Pros:

Easier to make changes while growth is ongoing.
Social acceptance — many kids get braces at this age.

⛔️ Cons:

Still might need longer treatment depending on growth patterns.
Invisalign may be harder to maintain for some kids.

3. Ages 13–15: Teen Years

Why is this age so common?
By this age, most or all adult teeth have erupted, and the jaw has developed significantly. It’s the most typical time to start full orthodontic treatment.

Braces & Invisalign:

Both are very effective at this stage.
Teens are often great candidates for Invisalign Teen (includes features like eruption tabs and wear indicators).

✅ Pros:

Predictable treatment outcomes.
Teens are usually more responsible with hygiene and follow-ups.
Invisalign often preferred for aesthetic reasons at this age.

⛔️ Cons:

Teens may be self-conscious about appearance with braces.
Can interfere with sports/musical instruments if not managed properly.

4. Ages 16+: Late Teens

Still possible to start? Absolutely.
Orthodontic treatment can still be very effective in later teenage years. It may take longer if growth is complete, but great results are still achievable.

✅ Pros:

High compliance — teens understand the benefits.
Invisalign is often the preferred choice for its subtle look.

⛔️ Cons:

May require more complex treatment if issues were left unaddressed for years.
Slightly less flexibility in guiding jaw development.

So, What’s the Ideal Age?

In most cases, ages 7–8 is the ideal time for a first orthodontic evaluation — not necessarily for starting treatment, but to assess if early intervention could help. If no issues are found, your orthodontist will continue monitoring growth and development.

Starting early doesn’t always mean treatment begins immediately — but catching potential problems early can lead to simpler, faster, and more cost-effective solutions later.