Emmanuel Dieseruvwe's first-half double maintained Rochdale's fine start to the National League season.
Dieseruvwe pounced with a 26th-minute header from Tarryn Allarakhia's cross to put the hosts in front at Crown Oil Arena.
And he struck again six minutes later with his fourth goal in three games after an attempted clearance by visiting keeper Mason Terry was intercepted.
Braintree, who have now failed to win in four games, had Terry to thank for denying Dieseruvwe a hat-trick, while their best chance went begging late on when John Akinde's effort was well saved by Oliver Whatmuff in the Rochdale goal.
Report supplied by PA Media.
