How to Take Care of Your Teeth After Your Braces Are Removed

Excitement and relief will definitely be the first two emotions you will feel if you got your dental braces in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and your dentist tells you it’s time to take them off. This piece of news is worth celebrating since you can indulge in the food you were not able to enjoy before.

You will have an easier time with your daily dental hygiene habits as well without the braces.

However, you still have some work to do to avoid undoing all the dental benefits you got from wearing braces. As such, you can’t afford to relax and take it easy once you go braces-free.

Important Post-Braces Dental Care Tips

Below are five ways you can take care of your smile after you have your braces removed:

1.     Know what to expect.

Aside from getting the orthodontic appliance off your teeth, there are a few things that you will feel or experience post-braces.

First, you might find eating some foods a bit strange. Since you haven’t bitten into a whole apple, chewed gum, or licked a spoon of peanut butter for a year or so, you may think the entire experience and their flavors are quite weird.

Since you have avoided these foods and more for so long, it is best to start incorporating them back into your meals or snacks as soon as possible. By doing so, you won’t find the experience of eating them strange, and you can also have a more balanced diet.

However, during and after the removal of your braces, you will also feel that your teeth are a bit tender or sensitive. Most of the time, this sensation is not any different than what you experience after you have a wire adjustment.

Although this is usually not a cause for worry, do not eat food that is too hard, such as a jawbreaker, soon after getting your braces removed. Similar to your veneers from your Fort Lauderdale dental clinic, these foods can damage your teeth.

Avoid foods that are extremely hot or cold for a few days or so to prevent aggravating your teeth sensitivity.

Once your metal braces are removed, you will notice some calluses on the insides of your lips. These bumps developed because the brackets are constantly touching the skin. They will eventually go away after a few weeks or so. As such, you shouldn’t worry too much about them. 

2.     Schedule deep teeth cleaning.

Brushing and flossing can be quite challenging when you are still wearing braces. And the longer you have had this orthodontic appliance, the more likely it is that your teeth have plenty of plaque and stains that you failed to remove.

Going through a professional dental cleaning service is the best way to get rid of the plaque and stains. Moreover, it will give your dentist the chance to check your teeth and gums more thoroughly.

Keep in mind that since your teeth are now completely exposed, your dentist will have an easier time checking them. Because of this, he or she will be able to diagnose any dental problem at hand and treat it right away to prevent the onset of more complex issues. 

Now that your teeth are straight and even, complete your new smile by having pearly whites cleaned professionally.

3.     Whiten your teeth.

Your teeth may also have stains and discolorations caused by uneven cleaning while wearing braces. Although your dentist or dental hygienist may be able to remove some of them, your pearly whites may still not be as white or bright as you want them.

A professional whitening treatment may be your best option for a brighter, whiter smile.

However, do not get a professional whitening treatment immediately. Wait for a month or two after getting your braces removed since your teeth will still be sensitive and the procedure may cause you more discomfort.

In the meantime, use a gentle whitening toothpaste daily to start having a brighter smile.

4.     Wear your retainers as advised by your dentist.

Human teeth have a natural tendency to move back to their original position after an orthodontic straightening treatment. They are at the biggest risk of shifting in the first few weeks and months after your braces have been removed.

Wearing your retainers is an important step in caring for your smile after your braces come off. This orthodontic appliance keeps your teeth in their new, better positions.

Retainers come in two types: permanent and temporary. If you opted for temporary or removable retainers, make sure you wear them as prescribed by your dentist.

When you first get your braces off, your dentist will tell you to wear the retainers 24 hours every day. Over time, you may only need to put them on at night.

Additionally, it is crucial that you keep your removable retainers clean to avoid putting something in your mouth that is full of bacteria. Also, always bring the case wherever you go so that you can keep this appliance somewhere safe and hygienic when you want to remove them before eating. 

5.     Continue practicing good oral hygiene habits.

Aside from wearing your retainers, you can maintain your aligned and even teeth and keep them healthy by being diligent with your dental hygiene practices.

Continue brushing your teeth twice daily, morning and night. Floss once a day to remove leftover food and plaque from places in your mouth that your toothbrush can’t reach.

Make sure you brush and floss correctly as well and replace your toothbrush every three months or when the bristles start fraying.

Also, clean your retainers whenever you brush your teeth or as advised by your dentist. Most of the time, you can use your toothbrush and regular toothpaste to do this. However, there are some types that may require mouthwash or denture cleaner.

If you are unsure about which product or method is best for cleaning your retainers, ask your dentist.

Finally, always rinse your mouth with water after eating anything sugary and drinking stain-causing beverages like coffee, tea, and red wine. Doing so helps prevent stains and keep your teeth white.

Don’t forget that even if you are not wearing braces or retainers anymore, you still need to see your dentist at least twice a year. Although you do not need any adjustments, regular dental checkups are a must to keep a beautiful, healthy smile.