The real scoop on what it’s like to have braces in middle school, straight from the experiences we hear every day!
Most of your friends are either getting them now or already had them
6th-8th grade is the most common time for braces. That means you're in very good company, on any given day in any middle school cafeteria in Palo Alto, Los Altos, or Menlo Park, there are kids at every stage of treatment. It rarely draws the attention kids expect beforehand.
Lunch does change a little…but less than you think
The classic braces no-list (popcorn, sticky candy, hard pretzels, caramel) is real, and it's worth taking seriously to avoid broken brackets. But most of what you eat for lunch is fine: sandwiches, wraps, fruit cut into pieces, pasta, yogurt. The adjustment is more about how you eat than what you eat. Small bites, chewing with your back teeth, cutting things up, these become habits quickly.
For a detailed breakdown of what's good and what to avoid check out our other article: Eating With Braces: What to Eat and What Makes It Easier.
Brushing gets more important…and more complicated
With braces on, food traps around the brackets and wires in ways it didn't before. Brushing after meals matters more than it ever did. Most orthodontists recommend brushing after every meal, including lunch. A travel toothbrush in your locker or backpack is one of the simplest habits you
can build. Flossing also becomes important — a floss threader or a water flosser makes it much faster.
Show off your smile in school photos
School photos are a chance to let your personality shine, and braces can be part of that moment in time! You can choose the color of your bands, whether you love a bold pop of color, your school colors, or something subtle. A smile in progress is something to celebrate, so smile confidently throughout your treatment. If you’re planning to get braces and have school portraits coming up, talk to Dr. Tajaddod about timing and choosing a look you’ll love.
Sports don't have to stop
You can play sports with braces. For contact sports like football, basketball, wrestling, martial arts, a mouthguard is important. We can make a custom one that fits over your braces and protects both your teeth and your appliance. If you're already in a sport, let us know at your appointment so we can plan accordingly.
Some days will be more annoying than others
Adjustment appointments (where the wire gets tightened or changed) usually mean a day or two of increased soreness. Most middle schoolers learn quickly to plan a softer food day after
appointments. Yogurt, smoothies, soup, and mashed potatoes become your post-adjustment best friends.
It goes faster than it feels like it will
Average treatment time for middle schoolers is between 1-2 years, though it varies based on your specific case. It sounds long before you start. But ask anyone who's had their braces off, most of them say the end came faster than they expected. And having a straight, healthy bite
before high school is a real advantage: socially, functionally, and for your long-term dental health.
Dr. Tajaddod and our entire team work with middle schoolers every day. We know this age group, we genuinely enjoy it, and we take the real questions seriously, not just the clinical ones.
Ready to get started?
Schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Tajaddod at Merna Tajaddod Orthodontics in Palo Alto. We serve families in Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Los Altos, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Redwood City, and beyond. Call us at (650) 854-8888, we'd love to meet you and welcome you to the MTO family!
