Near the end of braces treatment, people should know a few things. They should know what to expect when getting braces off.
During the removal of braces, you may feel mild discomfort when the orthodontist squeezes the brackets from your teeth and takes them off. You may feel slight pain for 1-2 days after getting braces off. But, the most exciting thing is you get a beautiful smile.
It feels strange to talk or eat food without braces on teeth after a long time.
However, you may get sad to see some white spots or yellow stains of teeth.
Braces may come off, but you get a retainer to wear regularly for a few months.
We have discussed all these things here in detail.
Here are what to expect when getting braces off
Properly aligned or straight Teeth
Braces fix your overbite, underbite, and crooked teeth. So, you get even and properly aligned teeth after getting them off.
You can compare how much it’s changed if you see before and after braces photos. It improves your face and jawline as well.
1. Beautiful smile
The most exciting and expected thing you get after braces come off is a beautiful smile.
You want to straighten your teeth and take the orthodontic treatment to get a wonderful smile. Crooked or crowded teeth affect your smile and look unnatural.
When they are well aligned, you can compare your before and after braces pictures and find that your smile and face are improved dramatically.
So, after the removal of braces, it’s the time you start smiling more and showing your even teeth, as you are more confident and satisfied than ever.
2. No gaps between teeth
Many people get more worried about the gaps than their uneven teeth. The reason is you may need a tooth extraction for braces that produce some huge gaps.
So, they get concerned about whether those gaps will get closed or not. But, you don’t need to be afraid.
After getting braces off, you’ll see there are no gaps between your teeth.
You can know more about gaps in teeth and how braces fix them.
3. Staining or yellow discoloration of teeth
If you don’t maintain oral hygiene during braces treatment, you can find that you have tooth staining or yellow discoloration.
Sometimes, even after cleaning the tooth regularly, you may develop minor staining because it’s very difficult to clean the tooth with braces on.
Moreover, choosing the wrong kind of diets like sugary or acidic foods or drinks can turn your teeth yellow.
Another type of spot you can find after getting off braces due to using strong tooth whitening products during wearing braces.
When you use those products, those only whiten the surface of your teeth that aren’t covered by braces.
So, you may see the uneven color of teeth after the treatment. But, don’t be upset, you can remove those stains after removal of braces at home or in the dentist’s office.
4. White spots on teeth
Because of the poor oral hygiene or eating sticky, acidic, and sugary foods frequently may give you a white spot that you can notice after braces off.
These are the areas when the enamel gets dissolved and decalcified.
You should seek a dentist to solve the problem to prevent the situation from getting worse.
5. Calluses on lips
After removal of the braces, the first thing you may notice is the calluses on your lips. So, get yourself prepared for that or you may become sad.
However, you don’t need to worry about that as it will go away over time. Calluses appear on the inner side of your lips soon after getting metal braces.
It occurs on the sensitive part of the skin of your lips. But, you don’t notice it because of the braces.
6. Freedom of eating any foods
While wearing braces you have to avoid a lot of your favorite foods. But, you get back to your normal dietary habit after the removal of.
You can eat popcorn, chips, candy, gums, apple, or those foods that you have not been eating for a long time.
You don’t need to avoid your favorite chicken or mutton recipe which is really exciting. That means you are free to eat any hard, crunchy, or sticky foods.
However, you must keep your teeth clean from those foods even without braces.
7. The odd feeling while eating
Being able to eat your favorite food again in about two to three years is not just fun but strange experience.
You will suddenly feel different when you go to bite on those foods. You will feel the taste of some food more than before, and there is no question of your favorite food.
So, you will fall in love with those foods again. Moreover, you can chew freely using any part of the teeth and without any restriction.
8. Cleaning teeth is a much easier task
You will find that brushing and flossing so easy. The reason is your experience of cleaning teeth with braces on.
You need to follow the special technique of brushing and flossing teeth with braces. But, you can do that freely after the removal of braces.
You don’t need any special toothbrush, toothpaste or floss. Besides, you won’t forget to clean your teeth regularly because you have made it your habit.
9. Feeling odd without braces
You have to wear braces for a couple of years. So, you get used to it. After the removal of braces, you feel strange without them.
Give some time to get used to life without braces. Another weird experience is about your straight teeth.
Before braces, you felt normal with misaligned teeth. So, it may also take time to get used to the feeling.
10. Experiencing tender teeth
Your painful experience will go away after the braces come off. However, you may feel mild discomfort during the removal of braces just like the first day getting braces.
After coming back home, your teeth may become tender or painful similar to the braces adjustment appointment.
So, eat soft for that day as you do with braces. Include those hard and crunchy foods slowly to your diet.
Pain goes away soon and everything becomes normal.
11. More Appointments
It’s your last appointment with your orthodontist after the removal of braces. You need to visit him or her for a follow-up, at least for one time.
He or she will check if you have any problem with your retainer or if it fits perfectly. Otherwise, your teeth may get back to their previous position slowly.
Moreover, when you don’t wear a retainer regularly, your mouth can’t adjust as teeth start to move and put your teeth in extra pressure.
The retainer also gets out of its shape. So, it needs to be checked and adjusted.
12. Settling or shifting without braces
Even though you wear a retainer after braces come off and there are no braces or wire, your teeth may still shift a little.
No need to worry about it, as this setting is expected and natural.
But, it doesn’t mean, the retainer doesn’t do its work.
Without a retainer, your teeth will shift more and more and undo all work done by you and your orthodontist gradually.
13. Appointment may take longer than you think of
You may think that you will visit your orthodontist office and get braces removed within a few minutes. You are wrong.
There’s a lot more work to do. The orthodontist may take off your braces fast, but you have to give time for the retainer.
He or she will make a mold and make measurements to prepare a retainer. So, you may need to wait an hour for that appointment.
14. The strange feeling during the process
When your orthodontist removes the brackets you may experience some odd sensation. You can hear some cracking and popping sound.
It’s the sound of squeezing the brackets by pliers during removal. It may be scary, but you shouldn’t be afraid.
Your teeth are much harder than those braces. So, it doesn’t do any harm. You experience a little pressure on your teeth.
After that, you may also feel slightly uncomfortable when your orthodontist removes glue or dental cement using some special instruments after braces come off.
You will hear some scraping noise which is odd. But, you shouldn’t feel any bad as you may be so excited to look at your new and beautiful teeth and smile.
15. It’s not the end of orthodontic treatment
You may think after braces, it’s the end of the treatment. But, you need to wear a retainer soon after removing braces.
Orthodontic treatment has two phases. One is the active phase, that is done with braces and the other is the retention phase that is done with retainers.
So, after braces, the retention phase begins. You get a retainer for this purpose and you have to wear it after the removal of braces.
What to do before getting braces off
Here are the tips for getting braces off:
1. Keep braces cleaning routine
Many people think that they don’t need to clean the braces like during the last few days of braces, as they get braces off soon.
Neglecting oral hygiene for days may cost you more than you can imagine. You will end up with more stains, tooth sensitivity, and decay.
So, keep cleaning teeth and braces properly. Besides, you should clean your mouth before visiting your orthodontist for braces removal.
You may not want that he or she gets a foul smell from your mouth. It’s embarrassing.
2. Prepare yourself mentally for the appointment
Even though you set an appointment with your orthodontist for the removal of braces, it may postpone for many reasons.
Keep in mind that, if your braces are removed and any problem remains after that, you will never want to attach the braces again.
Your orthodontist will examine your teeth very carefully and they remove the braces.
So, you should prepare yourself mentally to face these situations and give him or her freedom.
Another thing you should know is that it may take an hour during the braces removal appointment.
So, get there with time in hand.
3. Take selfies of your last day with braces
You can make the moment more exciting by taking a few pictures of your teeth with braces for the last time.
Braces become your friend for all of these years and now it’s time to say goodbye.
Take selfies with them and make the day memorable.
Process of getting braces off
Here are the steps of getting braces off:
1. Examination of the condition mouth and braces
First of all your orthodontist examines the condition of your teeth, gums, and braces.
Then, he or she will decide to remove the braces only if everything is ok.
2. Picking up the pliers
Just like the first day of getting braces on, your orthodontist will take orthodontic pliers. You are familiar with all those instruments.
He or she uses sterile instruments. So, you don’t need to worry.
3. Squeezing the brackets
The orthodontist uses the pliers to hold the base of each bracket and then, he or she squeezes them.
This helps loosen the bonding between the brackets and teeth.
Finally, bonding is broken and the bracket is removed from your tooth.
In this way, you get all the brackets removed from your teeth. You may feel slight discomfort during the procedure.
But, you feel no pain.
4. Removing the glue or dental cement
After the removal of the brackets, glue or bonding cement remains in your teeth.
So, your orthodontist uses a special tool to remove the adhesives from the surface of the teeth.
This tool also aids in polishing your enamel. So, you get a smooth and shiny tooth surface after the end of this process.
It’s normal to have a slight discoloration on your teeth even after that, most of which go away over time.
If you have excess staining, you may take tooth whitening treatment after a few months.
5. Taking of new Impression
After your teeth are cleaned properly, your orthodontist takes a new impression of both jaws just like the first day of orthodontic treatment.
He or she uses this to make a mold and prepare a retainer. This retainer helps you hold your tooth in position after braces.
6. Taking an x-ray
Your orthodontist may take a digital x-ray for the final record to compare the changes and keep it in his or her record.
What to do after getting braces off
1. Check your teeth for having any roughness
Immediately after removal of braces, check your teeth with your tongue if there is any roughness over teeth.
This happens when adhesive glues aren’t removed completely. After you are done, inform your orthodontist. He will solve the problem.
2. Set a dental cleaning appointment
It can be a great idea to make a dental cleaning appointment after the removal of braces.
This removes a lot of plaque and tartar that you developed while wearing braces.
Moreover, your dentist can evaluate the gum and teeth thoroughly and suggest to you whether you need any dental treatment.
This is important because with braces on teeth we can’t notice many areas of your mouth that may need dental treatment.
3. Avoid tooth whitening treatment for the first few months
Your teeth may see that your teeth have stained or turned yellow after the braces come off. So, you may think of taking tooth whitening treatment.
But, we recommended waiting at least for 5-6 months after the removal of braces to take any bleaching or whitening treatment, because teeth may be very sensitive.
It goes away within a month and teeth get stronger. Besides, staining or discoloration reduces over time naturally because of the action of saliva and your regular teeth cleaning.
After a few months, you can decide or consult with your dentist whether or not you should whiten your teeth.
4. Give time to get used to braces free life
You have to wear braces for 2 to 3 years, that’s a long time. So, it’s normal to feel strange without braces and it takes time to get used to the feeling.
Give time to get your mouth and yourself adjusted with the braces free smile. But, you must be excited to look at your new smile and beautiful teeth.
5. Know what to eat after getting braces off
You may want to eat your favorite foods after a long time when braces come off.
But, don’t rush for your favorite foods soon after the removal of braces. Change food habits slowly.
As the first 2 days after the removal of braces may cause mild pain in your teeth you have to eat those braces-friendly soft foods for a few more days.
Take mashed potatoes, smoothies, soft cooked vegetables, or soups. They give rest to your teeth and don’t hurt them.
Gradually, add semi-solid to harder foods to your diet. When your teeth get used to those foods once again, you can eat any kinds of foods just like you did before getting braces on.
You may try hard and crunchy foods or your favorite popcorns, chips, pizza, burger, candy, or any chicken dishes.
6. Keep maintaining oral hygiene
You have spent so much time and effort doing this treatment to get a beautiful smile and teeth.
Even after that, if you don’t clean your teeth properly and end up having tooth decay or discolored teeth, where is the benefit?
So, keeping your teeth clean regularly and maintaining oral hygiene is equally important even after braces come off or you’re near the end of treatment.
Keep up your tooth-cleaning habit as you do during the braces treatment to keep your oral health. Brush your teeth twice a day.
Rinse mouth after every meal and floss your teeth at least once a day.
As you have to wear a retainer, it makes cleaning teeth more important.
7. Wear retainer regularly
Your teeth will shift back to their original position automatically after braces come off, called relapse.
But, if we can hold the teeth for a few months in the new position, they won’t move from the place again.
So, the retainer is used to hold the teeth in position after braces. This helps keep your new look for good.
Your orthodontist makes the retainer and gives it to you after braces. Most of the time, you get a removable retainer.
You can remove it at any time. Use the retainer regularly as the instructions of your orthodontist.
Try to keep it in your mouth as much as possible. Wearing more will give you a better result.
Clean your retainer nicely and regularly, otherwise, bacteria get adhere to it and affect your teeth and gums.
You can use a brush to clean it at least twice a day.
8. What to do if you feel pain after braces off
After coming back home from the orthodontist’s office, you may start feeling soreness in teeth and gums. Some people may not experience any problem.
Even if you feel pain, it may not be like the first day after getting braces tightened.
You don’t need to do any special things to relieve the pain. It goes away within a few days.
You should consult with your orthodontist if you feel more pain and discomfort.
Rinse your mouth with saltwater to reduce the pain.
9. What to do if you have swollen gums after braces removed
It’s normal to have the swollen gums after braces are off, as gums get slightly inflamed. This occurs due to the braces removal procedure.
But, it goes away within a few days, especially when you brush and floss your teeth regularly.
However, if the inflammation and swelling last for more than two days, you should consult with your orthodontist.
FAQ on Braces
Does getting braces off hurt?
During the process of getting braces off, you don’t experience any sort of pain usually, but you may feel a slight pressure on your teeth.
However, after the removal of braces, you may feel slight pain for a day. Your teeth remain sensitive as well.
How long do your teeth hurt after getting braces off?
You start feeling mild pain after the braces come off which lasts for 24 to 48 hours. However, the sensitivity of your teeth may remain for a few weeks.
How long does it take to get braces off?
It may take about an hour to get braces removed and make the impression by your orthodontist if you don’t get the retainer on that day, which happens in most of the cases.
However, in some cases, you may get the retainer on the same day. This needs you to wait for a longer duration, but save you another visit to your orthodontist.
Takeaways
One of the happiest moments of your life is getting braces off. Soon after the removal of braces, you get straight teeth and a beautiful smile.
You may feel odd for the first few days without braces. But, it goes away over time.
However, keep in contact with your orthodontist as you get retainer after braces to make the effect permanent.
If you develop tooth sensitivity or decay after braces, consult with your dentist to solve the problems.
Keep the tooth cleaning habit even after braces to get a healthy mouth and teeth.
