After all your hard work and dedication to achieving your perfect smile, you have finally reached your perfect alignment! Before your appointment, you may wonder what to expect when you get your braces off. Farrow & Dewbre Orthodontics strives to educate our patients as much as possible on straightening their teeth so they feel part of the process, so read on to learn more about this future appointment.
Revealing Your Brand-New Smile
On the long-awaited day of your braces removal appointment, we begin the procedure by clipping off your archwire and removing any additional components attached to your appliance, such as elastics and orthodontic bands.
We then move on to removing your brackets. You may remember they were attached with a bonding cement that seemed impossible to remove. Our team utilizes special orthodontic pliers to carefully detach each one from your teeth. This step typically takes the longest as we take our time to avoid any discomfort.
The last step is removing any glue residue left on your teeth using a high-speed drill to smooth the material off. Dr. Farrow and Dr. Dewbre realize that some patients may feel uncomfortable with the sound of the drill, associating it with other painful dental work. However, we only treat the surface of your teeth. You may feel minor discomfort at most but no pain.
Once all the glue is gone, your appliance is completely detached! Our team will explain the entire process to you in-depth on the day of your appointment so you will know exactly what to expect as we begin. No surprises here!
Will There Be Any Pain Involved?
Your teeth will enter an adjustment period after your appliance is removed. They and your gums may feel extra tender for the next few days to a week. The source of constant slight pressure they received for over a year is gone, so they need time to settle into and place and transition into their new alignment.
However, the procedure itself is painless. We do our best to ensure you feel comfortable, taking short breaks and checking how you are doing. If you feel uneasy or nervous during the procedure, please let our team know as soon as possible so we can pause and let you take a breather.
Keeping Your Teeth Healthy in the Long-Term
Maintain Oral Hygiene
Brushing, flossing, swishing with mouthwash, and scraping your tongue are just a few ways to maintain your oral hygiene and keep your teeth as healthy as possible. These practices eliminate excess plaque and tartar and remove tiny food particles between your teeth. The more consistent you are with a routine, the longer your teeth will stay in excellent condition.
Managing Pain Relief
You may feel minor pain as your teeth adjust, but this will naturally disappear over time. If it starts interrupting your routine, there are some things you can do.
Swish your mouth with warm salt water. This will help eliminate any lingering harmful bacteria in your mouth, often the source of sore gums and teeth. You can also ask Dr. Farrow or Dr. Dewbre what over-the-counter pain medications they recommend for your symptoms.
Drinking Lots of Water
There are many reasons to stay hydrated throughout the day, one being it promotes dental health. Water naturally contains fluoride, which you can also find in toothpaste and mouthwash. It works to prevent cavities and tooth decay, as well as strengthen your enamel. Drinking a glass after each meal can also flush away any loose particles of food left behind.
Getting Used To Being Braces-Free
Eating May Feel Weird
It has been over a year since you last had a crunchy or hard food, so it may feel odd to chew at first. Our team recommends slowly easing yourself into a regular diet over time to let yourself get used to the sensation again and avoid aggravating tender teeth. Begin with a soft diet and slowly add new foods.
Discoloration
Braces cover part of your teeth’ surface, preventing you from cleaning them entirely. Once they are removed, they may reveal some yellow discoloration underneath. This is completely normal and will disappear within six months. Still, you can speed up the process with regular oral hygiene. If you still have patches after this period, ask Dr. Farrow or Dr. Dewbre when it is safe to consider teeth whitening treatment.
Calluses
Calluses are small, hardened areas of skin caused by repeated friction, as the wires and brackets constantly contact the inside of your mouth. They are a normal occurrence and nothing to worry about. You may not notice them until your appliance is removed, but they will naturally disappear.
The Role of Retainers in Post-Braces Care
Your teeth will continue moving once your braces are gone and need additional support after reaching their ideal alignment to maintain their position. That is where the power of retainers comes in. Retainers are custom-made appliances crafted to the current position of your teeth to keep them in place. We provide each patient with a set so they can enjoy their new smile for a lifetime.
You will receive a unique schedule for wearing them, but Dr. Farrow and Dr. Dewbre typically suggest wearing your retainer full-time for up to six months after removing your braces. After that, only wearing it at night is necessary. However, no harm is done if you accidentally leave your retainer longer than prescribed.
Types Available
Removable: A custom-fit appliance made of plastic, metal, or a combination of the two that can be removed, allowing simple oral hygiene and more flexibility.
Fixed: A permanent appliance in the shape of a thin, curved wire glued flush to the back of your front four to six teeth to help them retain their position.
Some receive a combination of our two available types, depending on their needs.
Enjoy Life Beyond Braces!
The highlight of our work is seeing the beautiful smiles from braces treatment. Our incredible team works hard to support each patient however and whenever possible throughout treatment. We proudly serve Oklahoma City, Edmond, Clinton, Deer Creek, and the nearby communities in Western Oklahoma. Call our office to schedule your free consultation today!