7 Things To Expect When Your Braces Come Off

It’s finally here. All of your patience and hard work have paid off and your braces are coming off. While you can certainly expect to find a beautiful, straight smile, there are other things that you need to be aware of too. Don’t worry; even the less desirable ones are either temporary or easily treatable.

If you are scheduled to get your braces removed, here’s an idea of what you can expect:

1. Calluses– Months or years in metal brackets often produce calluses on the inside of your lips. You may not notice or feel these until your braces come off. Rest assured that these areas of tough skin will fade away over time.
2.  Eating Feels Funny– Just like it felt strange to eat when you first got braces on, it will feel strange again when you get them off. This is due to the fact that you’ve compensated for a long period of time to chew certain foods around your brackets. You’ll also gain the freedom of eating popcorn, gum and hard candy again if you wish!
3. Easier Oral Hygiene– Brushing and flossing will seem like a breeze without having to navigate around metal wires and brackets. You can ditch your special brushes and flossing tools for braces and resume your traditional oral hygiene routine. Just because it is easier to keep your teeth clean, don’t neglect to brush for the full two minutes, twice a day.
4. Tender or Sore Teeth– Any time your teeth undergo a major procedure or adjustment, it produces soreness. Getting the brackets off will not hurt, but it doesn’t require some force and pressure against the tooth. Don’t worry; you’ll be able to eat without tenderness or pain in a very short time.
5. Discoloration– This can be disheartening for many patients when their braces come off. Many patients expect to find a straight and white smile. It is normal for your teeth to look a bit yellow or stained when the brackets are removed. Most discoloration is easily removed with teeth whitening efforts. If you notice tiny white spots on your teeth, these may be areas of decalcification. Talk to your dentist or orthodontist about how to remove them.
6. Settling– You can expect your teeth to settle a bit after your orthodontic appliances are removed. This is natural and anticipated by your orthodontist. Even if you wear your retainer properly, you may notice some minor shifting in your teeth.
7. Retention Phase is Just Beginning– While you’ve certainly done the hard part, it is important to realize that your orthodontic treatment isn’t necessarily over. You are now entering the retention phase of your treatment, which will involve wearing a retainer to hold your new smile in place. Neglecting to acknowledge or participate in this phase of your treatment could sabotage your smile straightening results.

For more facts about braces removal, call Walton Orthodontics. We always keep our patients well-informed about their treatment plan, including what they can expect when their braces finally come off!

Walton Orthodontics
2609 Peachtree Pkwy, #C
Suwanee, GA 30024
(770) 663-0955