What You Should Expect After Getting Your Braces Off
Finally, after months of diligent care and (perhaps frustrating) checkups and tune-ups, it’s time for your braces to come off! The transition from braces to regular life is simple—however, it’s important to keep a few things in mind for your sake, and the sake of your teeth, so that both are happy and healthy. Here are some things you should expect after getting your braces off.
Initial Discomfort
You’ve spent months changing and adapting your speech and eating to accommodate the feel and impediment of braces. Once your braces are gone, the process of adapting speech and eating will start over! The first thing many people notice is the initial discomfort or “weirdness” of feeling slippery teeth and gums instead of metal. This can make speaking and eating feel uncomfortable for a short period. Be patient with yourself as you practice making sounds without metal in the way! Your teeth may also feel extra sensitive for the first little bit once brackets are gone. After being covered for such a long time, the enamel is understandably sensitive to touch and exposure. You may want to start with soft foods immediately after your braces are removed.
Post-Removal Care
Keeping your teeth aligned and your smile straight unfortunately doesn’t end when the braces come off. That is what retainers are meant to do. Wearing a retainer helps ensure you won’t have to get braces again later! This is an essential part of maintaining alignment—retainers basically hold in place the work that braces did for months on end. It may be easy to forget retainers, so find a way to remind yourself consistently. Be diligent with your retainers and confident with your smile!
Remembering General Dental Care
It can be easy once braces are gone and you don’t have to worry about extra care, to shirk even the general care you need to give your teeth. Don’t cast aside your everyday dental care, especially if you are reintroducing some sticky treats back into your diet. Keep up your healthy habits of brushing twice per day and flossing once per day. If anything, the process should be easier without your braces there… don’t let “easy” trick you into feeling like it’s “unnecessary”.
Keeping your smile healthy will keep you happy. Enjoy life without braces, and remember to wear your retainer! Keep up with the care and your teeth will thank you!
Check out this article on why brushing your teeth isn’t enough to keep them clean!