Congratulations it's finally time for your braces to come off! However, there are some post-treatment details you should know about. In this blog, our Barrie dentists explain what you can expect in your life after braces and some things you should keep an eye out for.
What to Expect Once Your Braces are Removed
You’ve reached the end of your braces treatment, and you’re excited about having your braces removed.
However, you will have to adjust to life without braces just as you had to adjust to life with braces.
Today we share what you can expect - and some things to watch out for (and speak to your dentist about) once your braces are removed.
It'll Be Easier to Brush & Floss
Now that you don’t have to face the obstacles of brackets and wires, it will take less time to brush and floss your teeth, and you will no longer need flossing aids or special toothbrushes.
But, you still need to be diligent when thoroughly brushing and flossing, to keep your newly straightened teeth clean and healthy.
It Will Feel Strange to Eat
Now that your braces have been removed, you can eat the foods you love again. Hello, corn on the cob, popcorn, crunchy vegetables, gum, and almost anything else your heart desires!
You may notice eating feels strange at first, both because you’ve avoided certain foods for the past 18 to 24 months and because your braces aren’t there anymore, and your mouth will feel different. Give yourself time to get used to it.
Calluses
When your brackets are first taken off your teeth, one of the first things you may notice is that there will be calluses on the insides of your lips where brackets are rubbed against sensitive skin.
These develop pretty quickly after your braces go on, but you usually don't feel them until your braces are removed. But don’t worry - they should disappear eventually.
Discolouration
While it is normal for your teeth to be darker in the places where you didn't have brackets, you might want to consider teeth whitening treatment to make the colour of your teeth more even.
A Straighter Smile & More Even Teeth
The entire reason you wore braces was to achieve a straighter smile and aligned teeth, and you should be able to see changes in your smile as a result of wearing braces. Your dentist or orthodontist may have taken some “before and after” photos of your teeth so you can see how far you’ve come.
All that time diligently caring for your oral hygiene, as well as attending appointments for adjustments, will now be paying off. Congratulations on all the hard work!
Follow-up Visits
While you no longer have braces, your treatment probably won't be fully finished. Patients generally have to return for several follow-up appointments to make sure their retainer fits properly and that their teeth stay aligned properly.
Wearing a Retainer or Other Appliances
Your retainer will help your teeth stay in their corrected positions. You’ll have to wear the retainer full-time for a while, then part-time (typically only at night) in the months and years to come. Some patients also need spacers or other appliances.
If there are other issues you want to address in addition to your follow-up treatment, we would be happy to discuss those as well and address any concerns, or develop a treatment plan.