Your St. James, Winnipeg Invisalign® Provider
Congratulations, you have finished your treatment with braces! There are just several post-treatment matters you should be aware of. Here, our Manitoba dental team explains what you can expect after having your braces removed and several things you need to be careful of.
What to Expect After Your Braces are Removed
You have reached the final days of your orthodontic treatment, and you are excited at the thought of having your braces taken off– it's a big moment!
Just like when you first had your braces put on, you will have to adjust to life without braces.
Below we have shared some of the things you can expect when you get your braces removed as well as some things you will have to watch for, that you might need to explain to your orthodontist.
Easier Brushing & Flossing
Now that wires and brackets are no longer obstacles, brushing and flossing your teeth won't take as long, and you won’t need to use flossing aids or special brushes.
Although, you will still have to be diligent about thoroughly brushing and flossing to keep your newly straightened teeth healthy.
Eating Will Feel Strange
Now that you are no longer wearing braces you can return to eating all of your favourite foods including popcorn, corn on the cob, gum, crunchy vegetables and everything else you love.
At first, eating might feel strange because you have avoided certain foods for the last 18 to 24 months and because your braces are no longer there, and your mouth will feel different. Give yourself some time to adjust 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 rubbed against sensitive skin.
These develop pretty quickly after your braces go on, but you usually won't be able to feel them until your braces are taken off. But don’t worry - they should disappear eventually.
Discolouration
It’s normal for your teeth to appear a little darker in the places where brackets were not attached. You might want to consider teeth whitening to even out the colour of your teeth.
A Straight Smile & 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 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 Appointments
Even if your braces have come off, your treatment will probably not be fully finished. Patients usually need to come for several follow-up appointments to make sure their retainer fits properly and that their teeth are staying properly aligned.
Wearing a Retainer or Other Appliance
Your retainer will keep your teeth in their new positions. You’ll need 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.