Orthodontic treatment often lasts for a year or longer. That can seem like a long time! Throughout your experience with braces, they may have become a normal and natural part of your routine. It might seem a bit strange when they are finally removed! What can you expect as you adapt to life after braces? This blog post provides some helpful guidance.
How Will Your Mouth Look and Feel?
After your braces are taken off, you will notice that your mouth does not look or feel the way it did before you started treatment. In many ways, that is something to be happy about; your teeth should be much better aligned! However, there may be a few things that surprise you, such as:
- Sensitivity. After your braces are no longer placing pressure on your teeth, they might feel a bit extra sensitive for a few days. You can minimize any discomfort by eating a mild diet that does not involve hot, cold, or spicy items.
- Discoloration. Some patients notice patches of uneven coloration on their teeth after their brackets are removed. This can happen due to plaque accumulation around the braces or simply the natural staining process of dental enamel. Most people find that the discoloration gradually fades as they diligently brush and floss their teeth each day. You might also choose to whiten your teeth 6 months or so after braces removal.
- Calluses. You might have developed small calluses on some of your soft oral tissues. These areas might feel strange once your braces are no longer there. Calluses tend to disappear over time.
Maintaining Your Results
Even after your braces are removed, you will have a bit of work to do. You have to maintain your results! Your care team should provide you with a retainer, a small device that will prevent your teeth from drifting back into their former positions.
If your retainer is removable (as opposed to being fixed on yours teeth), you should wear it for 20 – 22 hours each day at first. You should only remove it when you eat or take care of your oral hygiene. After a few months, you may be given permission to wear it only at night. Later, you might need to use it just a few nights each week.
Feel Free to Ask Questions
If any questions or concerns arise after your braces are taken off, do not hesitate to reach out to your care team. They will be happy to provide personalized advice so you can enjoy a truly successful post-treatment period.
Meet the Practice
At Family Dental Practice of Newington, our large team of dentists and specialists provide braces, Invisalign, and many other services to patients in our community. We are eager to support you both during and after orthodontic treatment! To learn more about us and how we may be able to serve you, get in touch with our office at 860-856-6201.