After several months (or even years) of dealing with the inconveniences that come with traditional braces, it’s finally time to get them taken off and view your newly straightened smile! Once your orthodontist removes the brackets and wires from your teeth and you see the end results of your treatment in the mirror, you only have one question: Now what? Here are a few things you can expect with life after braces.
You Can Freely Eat Your Favorite Foods Again
Orthodontic treatment often requires you to make sacrifices. With braces, you were advised to give up delicious foods like popcorn, caramel, and corn on the cob to reduce the risk of breaking a bracket. Once your braces are off, though, you can treat yourself to all of these foods and more! Just make sure to not overindulge in sugary items. After all, you don’t want cavities to ruin your new and improved smile!
Some Sensitivity Is Normal
Braces work by applying a constant, low-level pressure to your teeth, gradually shifting them toward more ideal positions. When your braces are removed, your teeth will naturally need some time to adjust. During this period, you may experience sensitivity, but it should only be mild and temporary. Brushing with desensitizing toothpaste can provide some relief, as can avoiding foods and drinks that are particularly cold, hot, crunchy, or acidic.
Wear Your Retainer as Directed
After investing a great deal of time (and money) on braces, the last thing you want is for your teeth to revert back to their crooked state. Your orthodontist will give you a retainer to prevent this from happening. Usually, you’ll be instructed to wear it for most of the day – pretty much any time you aren’t eating, drinking, or cleaning your teeth – until your teeth start to “remember” their new positions. At a certain point, your orthodontist will tell you that you can switch to only wearing your retainer at night.
Your Teeth May Look Discolored Temporarily
The color of your teeth might appear blotchy or uneven when your braces first come off. This is perfectly normal. You may have developed stains from drinking coffee, tea, or other dark-colored beverages throughout your treatment, while the enamel underneath the brackets was protected. It could also be due to plaque buildup around the brackets. In either case, your teeth should appear more evenly colored within a few months of getting your braces removed.
It can take some time to adjust to life after braces, but it’s worth it to experience a healthier, straighter smile!
About the Author
Dr. Gary Chaffee is an experienced general dentist and orthodontist in Newbury Park, CA. After earning his dental doctorate from the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in 1975, he later underwent their two-year Progressive Orthodontics Program. Today, he provides family dental care and orthodontic treatment, including braces and Invisalign clear aligners, at Paraiso Family Dental and Orthodontics. To learn more about what life after braces will be like, contact Dr. Chaffee’s office at 805-480-0033.