What Happens When You Get Your Braces Off?

Undergoing orthodontic treatment is a long process that takes up to two years. That’s why the day your braces come off is very exciting. That said, what can you expect when you get braces off?

Preparing for Removal  

While there isn’t one best way to prepare for braces to be removed, you need to keep up with your oral care, as this will make the process go smoothly.   

Process  

Getting your braces removed takes about an hour and involves the following steps:   

• Loosening and removing the brackets: Dr. Ziadeh will loosen the brackets and wires on your teeth, which weakens the glue holding them in place and separates the bond.   
• Cleaning to remove remaining glue: After removing your braces, your teeth will need to be cleaned to remove the remaining glue and plaque that the brackets may have trapped.   
• X-rays: After cleaning, we’ll take a set of X-rays to check that your orthodontic treatment was successful.   
• Retainer mold: After you have obtained your beautiful smile with orthodontic treatment, you will need removable retainers to prevent your teeth from returning to their original position. We’ll take a mold of your teeth to make customized retainers that fit your teeth’ new shape.  

Should You Remove Your Braces Yourself?  

No, you shouldn’t remove your braces yourself as this could be dangerous. Here are some risks involved with removing braces at home:  

• You may lose your teeth: Removing braces alone can cause you to lose your permanent teeth. That’s because after orthodontic treatment, your teeth shift, and they can come off if you apply too much pressure.   
• You can easily injure yourself: Braces should only be removed by a qualified orthodontist since they have the proper tools to remove the brackets and wires from your teeth safely. You may injure yourself if you try to remove your braces at home, as many of the pieces are quite sharp, and you can even accidentally ingest some of the broken pieces.   
• It’s easy for bacteria to cause cavities: Removing braces with improper tools can chip, scratch, or cause abrasions on your teeth, making it easy for bacteria to grow on your teeth and create cavities. Taking off braces on your own may also decrease the quality of your tooth enamel.   
• You may experience pain: While removing your braces at the dentist can be uncomfortable, you will experience way more pain if you remove them on your own.   
• Your teeth may shift out of their new aligned position: If you don’t use retainers after your orthodontic treatment, your teeth can move out of alignment, putting all the months of hard work at risk.   

Pain and Sensitivity  

Removing your braces doesn’t hurt – but it may feel a little uncomfortable, and you can expect a bit of soreness and sensitivity after the brackets are removed from your teeth. This is due to the relief of pressure from your teeth. However, over-the-counter pain medication can help relieve any discomfort. Tooth sensitivity will dissipate with time, but in the meantime, you can slowly incorporate other types of foods and drinks into your usual braces diet.   

After Care  

During the first few days after your braces are out, avoid hard or sticky foods such as hard bread, popcorn, hard candies, and raw vegetables until your teeth feel normal again. You also need to maintain proper oral hygiene by brushing at least twice a day, flossing once daily, and having regular dental checkups. Using mouthwash may help reduce discoloration caused by your braces, but in some cases, the discoloration may resolve by itself during a natural remineralization process.  

Orthodontics in McAllen, TX  

If you live in McAllen, TX, and are undergoing orthodontic treatment or considering getting braces, Senan Orthodontic Studios can help. Our experienced orthodontist Dr. Ziadeh can help your child get the beautiful, straight smile you deserve. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.