More than 200,000 people every year get braces in the UK, according to the NHS website. Most of these people are teenagers, but nowadays, more adults are getting braces too.

If you’re an adult and you have braces, then you might be wondering what to expect when your braces finally come off. You’ll certainly be looking forward to this day. Your teeth will, of course, be straighter, and you’ll also appreciate the new freedom of no longer having braces attached your teeth. In this post, we’ll go over everything you need to know about life after braces.

The removal procedure

The procedure to take off your braces is fairly straightforward and you won’t have to prepare for it in any way. What’s more, the procedure is typically pain-free. Furthermore, only one dental appointment is needed and you’ll be able to go straight back to work afterwards.

Retainers

After wearing braces, you’ll need to wear a retainer at night, typically for the rest of your life, to stop your teeth from moving back to their old positions. We’re sorry if you thought that you were done when the braces came off! The good news however is that retainers are comfortable to wear because they’re custom-made. They’re also easy to clean since you only need to brush them with toothpaste.

Retainers last between six months to several years, after which you’ll have to return to the dentist to get a new one.

Teeth whitening

After having braces, many people choose to get their teeth whitened. This is to get a pearly white smile to go with their new straight teeth. If tooth whitening is something you’re interested in, then you should know that there are two options to choose from: in-office whitening and at home whitening.

With in-office whitening, your dentist will cover your teeth with a special bleaching gel. The procedure can be done in just one dental visit.

Or, if you prefer to whiten your teeth at home, then you could try a toothpaste that contains hydrogen peroxide. This ingredient removes stains and can whiten your teeth. However, watch out for tooth sensitivity – this could be a sign that the toothpaste is prematurely wearing away your enamel.

Diet

Once your braces come off, there are certain foods that are safe to eat again. These include chewing gum, popcorn, and hard boiled sweets.

However, don’t go crazy with the sugar: it can lead to cavities, which is something you don’t want, especially after all the effort you made to improve your smile.

Oral hygiene routine

When your braces finally off, you’ll find that brushing and flossing are much easier than before since you’ll no longer have to navigate around your brackets and wires. However, just because it’s easier to keep your teeth clean, it doesn’t mean that you can stop brushing your teeth twice a day. By maintaining a good oral hygiene routine, you’ll have a great smile for decades to come.

Conclusion

Getting your braces taken off is definitely the most exciting part of having braces. By wearing your retainer every night and by practising a good oral hygiene routine, you can keep your teeth healthy and straight for life.