Orthodontic patients all have one thing in common: they all learn to adjust! This is also true once the treatment is over!
It's not uncommon to be frustrated with the orthodontic process. Just when you get used to one change, you have to adjust to another one!
First, you adjust to wearing your braces, and to the way your smile has changed. You adjust to new eating habits, new oral hygiene habits, and the new way you look. And on top of that, you have to adjust to the way your mouth feels after each appointment.
But, you take comfort in the fact that it will all eventually comes to an end, and you'll have a beautiful, straight new smile to show for it.
Once your braces are off, you'll have to get used to another set of adjustments. These are some of the ways you’ll have to adjust to once your braces come off:
Eating will feel weird.
Eating felt strange when you first got your braces, right? Well, it will feel just as uncomfortable when you get them off. You’ll be able to do all the things you couldn't do during treatment, like biting into an apple, or eating corn on the cob. Sweet freedom!
You’ll be able to chew treats like gum, toffee and peanut brittle again, and eat a salad without half of it remaining on your teeth afterwards. Your mouth will also just feel a bit off as you eat, at first. But you'll enjoy that dietary freedom!
Calluses
Your mouth will have calluses from your braces throughout your time in orthodontic treatment. These will still be there when your braces first come off, and they'll feel a bit weird until they disappear.
Brushing & Flossing
Your oral hygiene will be a lot less time consuming! While a thorough oral hygiene routine should always be a priority, you'll no longer have to spend loads of extra time cleaning out all the nooks and crannies of your braces, and you'll be able to brush and floss like normal.
Discolouration
You may find that your teeth have developed some discolouration during treatment, and are now darker in the places that the brackets were not attached. This is an easy fix however, ask your dentist about a treatment of teeth whitening.
More Appointments with your orthodontist… and another orthodontic appliance.
That’s right, you’re not done with us yet! After your braces come off, you'll need to come in for a few follow up appointments. This is to ensure that your retainer is working as it should, and that your teeth continue to stay properly aligned.
And on that note, you’ll be prescribed a retainer to keep your teeth in their new positions. And on THAT note…
Settling
Now that your teeth won’t be held in place with your braces, you’ll have to wear a retainer full time for a while, since your teeth will have become loosened during treatment. In the months and years to come, you’ll still need to wear it periodically (usually just at night).
Straight teeth!
The day your braces come off is a pretty thrilling one. You’ll finally be able to see how even your new smile is! It’s a big change that will change the appearance of your whole face.
