In the case of significantly crooked teeth that would cause long-term damage to the teeth and gums, or to correct a malocclusion that affects a person’s chewing or speech, braces would usually be medically advisable. Mikveh immersion with braces placed for this reason would be permissible, since medical devices attached to the body for a prolonged period of time are not considered a chatzitzah. We also are more lenient with items that can only be removed professionally. In addition, items in the mouth are sometimes treated more leniently, since the mouth is considered beit hasetarim, a closed part of the body that is accessible and has to be clear of chatzitzot, but does not have to come into contact with mikveh water.

While some poskim rule that braces done solely for cosmetic purposes are a chatzitzah, others, including the halachic authority for this site, disagree, and permit immersion with braces placed in order to improve appearance.

Before mikveh immersion, a woman with braces needs to clean them well, remove any temporary parts, and make sure all the brackets on the teeth are in place.

If possible, insertion of the braces should be scheduled shortly after a mikveh immersion, so that you have time to become more comfortable with cleaning the braces before your next immersion.

Ideally, removal of the braces at the conclusion of treatment should be scheduled at least 7 days after mikveh immersion. If this presents a problem, please consult with a halachic authority.

This response was updated on 16 December, 2025.