It’s almost here! You’ve worked diligently over the last several months to make your braces treatment a success, and now you’re on the cusp of having them removed and seeing your new smile. But then, what comes next? What is life like after braces?

There are many things to consider. You will need to wear a retainer after wearing braces. Will you have stains on your teeth after braces? Will there be white spots? What if you have yellow teeth after braces — can you get a teeth whitening treatment right away?

Petrous Orthodontics understands that this is an exciting time and that you likely have many questions about caring for your teeth after wearing braces. We’ll answer as many questions as we can, but here are a few things to know about what happens after your braces are removed.

Will I Wear Retainers After Braces?

We get this question a lot: Will I have to wear a retainer after braces? We’ll explain this as simply as possible.

Yep.

Why do you have to wear a retainer after braces? Your teeth have spent months being pushed into place by your braces, and they’ve become accustomed to moving. Once the braces come off, they will continue to move unless something holds them in place. 

Think of it like a freight train. You may pull the brake, but that train has to slow down before it stops, and it could take a while. Your jaw has become stuck in a cycle of decay around the tooth, allowing it to shift, then build up behind it again.

Retainers hold your teeth in place, giving your jaw time to slow down and stop its cycle of breaking down and rebuilding. After a few months, your jaw will harden, holding your teeth in place on its own, for the most part. 

Until that happens, you’re at risk of your straight, new smile becoming crooked again. That’s why it’s vital to wear your retainers as prescribed — usually for at least 22 hours a day for the first 3-6 months.

What Are the Types of Retainers?

You hear “retainers” and you probably think of some big, wiry thing that goes in your mouth like dentures. Retainers today aren’t what your mom and dad have tucked away in their bedside table drawer, never to wear (though they should!). 

There are three main types of retainers: 

• Hawley retainers — These have an acrylic base and wires that wrap around the teeth, holding them in place. They’re the latest generation of the classic retainers your parents may have, but today’s Hawley retainers are smaller and more effective. The acrylic is custom-molded to your mouth for a better fit. 
• Essix retainers — These retainers are clear acrylic and resemble clear aligners. They work like clear aligners, except instead of moving your teeth, they hold them in place. Invisalign offers a type of Essix retainer called Vivera retainers. 
• Permanent retainers — Contrary to their name, these retainers don’t last forever, but they can last for up to a decade or more. That’s because they’re made up of wires that are bonded to the back of your teeth and can’t be removed. 

Which retainer is right for you? Our patients seem to prefer the Essix/Vivera-style retainers, but we’ll help you determine which one is best for you. 

Why Do I Have White Spots on My Teeth?

Your braces come off, and you notice some odd white spots here and there, often around the perimeter of where your braces' brackets used to be. What are they, and how do you get rid of them? Are the white stains on your teeth from braces?

Those white spots on teeth after braces are called decalcification. It’s where bacteria from the plaque on your teeth have eaten away at the minerals in your enamel, weakening it and causing thin spots. 

Not everyone has white spots on their teeth. It usually happens because a patient was not diligent with brushing and flossing during their braces treatment or had difficulty maneuvering around the brackets and wires.

The bad news is, those spots are permanent. They can be made less visible by whitening the rest of the teeth, but they can’t be eliminated. That’s why it’s essential to brush and floss thoroughly during braces treatment. 

If you’re having trouble brushing and flossing, don’t hesitate to contact us. We can offer some suggestions to make oral hygiene easier and more effective for you, helping you prevent white spots after braces.  

Teeth Whitening After Braces

What happens if you get your braces off and you have yellow teeth? Your enamel doesn’t change with braces. It can still become stained by certain foods, drinks, and tobacco products, among other substances. It’s why we recommend avoiding tobacco products and limiting the consumption of foods or beverages that can stain your teeth. 

We tell you to avoid teeth whitening with braces because you could end up with braces stains — dark areas under the brackets where the whitening agent couldn’t reach. However, it’s OK to get teeth whitening treatment after braces. We recommend you wait a couple of months. Your teeth might be a bit sensitive right after braces, and teeth whitening could be uncomfortable on sensitive teeth. 

Petrous Orthodontics offers professional teeth whitening, so your new smile can shine! We recommend professional whitening over home kits because we can whiten your teeth more effectively and in a significantly shorter time. Dr. Petrous has chosen a solution that he feels is the best on the market and is Kosher, vegan, and gluten-free. 

Ask us for more information — we’ll be happy to provide it! 

Food Restrictions After Braces

You’ve spent months adhering to the long list of food restrictions you had with your braces. Right? 

We knew you did. 

Now that your braces are off and you’re getting retainers, what food restrictions will you need to follow? What foods should you avoid with retainers?

None! 

That’s right. We told you the food restrictions with braces were temporary. Now that your braces are off, you can enjoy those foods again. Grab some popcorn at the movie theater. Have some tortilla chips at your favorite Mexican restaurant. Grab a bagel for breakfast again! 

One thing to remember is to remove your retainer before eating. You then need to brush your teeth before putting your retainers back. If you can’t brush, then rinse your mouth at least. That keeps both your teeth and retainers from getting too full of bacteria. 

You can remove your retainers for eating, drinking, flossing, and brushing your teeth. Just be sure to store them in a safe place when they're not in your mouth, rinse them well before putting them back in, and clean your retainers daily. 

Life After Braces in Royal Oak, MI

These are some of the most common concerns people have after braces. If you have more questions, Petrous Orthodontics is here for you! We can handle any concerns you have about what happens when your braces come off. 

Schedule an appointment with Petrous Orthodontic. We’re happy to help!