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Teeth After Braces: How to Make the Best of Your Orthodontic Treatment

A Smile Can Change Everything

Teeth Braces
  • Koch Orthodontics
  • | Jan 17, 2020
You’ve finally paid your dues for the perfect smile — after years of wearing braces, they’ve finally come off, and you’re ready to show off your pearly whites to the whole world. But wait, there are a lot of things that have changed with your teeth and you’ll be able to see the difference with braces before and after the orthodontic treatment. This article is a guide to what you should expect after the completion of your orthodontic treatment.

What to Expect After Braces Removal?

It’s understandable that you’re excited that your braces have come off, but the removal of braces doesn’t complete the orthodontic treatment; there’s some part of it that’s still left. Here are a few things that you need to consider after your braces treatment:

  • Dietary Restrictions – After you get the braces off, the teeth enamel is exposed, because of which your teeth might be sensitive for some time. While your teeth are still adjusting to their new braces-free positions, you must stay away from eating crunchy or chewy foods.
  • Teeth Whitening – Now that you have the perfect smile, you also want your teeth to look pearly white. If you are considering getting whitening treatments done, wait a month or two after the removal of your braces because your teeth are still sensitive.
  • Wearing a Retainer – Once your braces are removed, your orthodontist might suggest that you wear a retainer. A retainer after braces treatment is necessary so that your teeth don’t shift back to being misaligned. Retainers after braces help stabilize your bones and teeth after the active orthodontic treatment.

There are two classes of retainers:

  • Removable retainers that can be taken out when you are eating your meals.
  • Bonded retainers that are attached to your teeth and can’t be removed.

Generally, orthodontists will require you to wear your retainers a few months after your braces treatment is completed. Your retainer is going to be customized for your mouth and hence should be quite comfortable. Even though you might experience minor difficulties in speaking at first, the initial discomfort will go away after you get used to them.

How to Care for Your Retainers?

If you have bonded retainers, you need to follow the same strict oral hygiene routine you did when you had the braces: brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash after every meal.

For a removable retainer, you need to brush and clean your retainer every morning and night. You can either soak them in denture cleaning solutions, or vinegar and water. Don’t use toothpaste to clean clear retainers as they become clouded, and never boil or microwave clean retainers.

How Long Does a Retainer Last?

The life of retainers after braces depends on how well you take care of them. They need to be replaced periodically, according to the instructions given by your orthodontist.

Overall Dental Care After Braces Removal

Your orthodontist will schedule a dental exam and cleaning after your braces are removed. This exam is done to check for the changes in your teeth before and after braces treatment and to ensure that no other dental issues have cropped up because of braces.

The orthodontist will also clean your teeth to get rid of any build-up of plaque that might have occurred because of braces (since it’s hard to clean your teeth when you have braces).

One of the most important things to keep in mind is that you should keep up with a strict oral hygiene routine before and after braces have come off. If you have any questions about retainers or what happens post braces treatment, contact a family orthodontist at Koch Orthodontics.

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Our 5-Star Experience

Check out what our patients are saying about their experience with our amazing doctors and team!

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Jazzy L.
Everything & Everyone is amazing! Definitely recommend 💕
Response from the owner:Hi Jazzy! We really appreciate that! Our team works hard to make every visit a great one. Thanks for recommending us!
Ashley H.
I had a great experience at Koch Orthodontics! I had the spark clear aligners to recorrect my teeth after losing my previous retainers. It was a quick and virtually painless process. I’m glad I chose Koch Orthodontics to correct my teeth!
Response from the owner:Hi Ashley! We’re so glad you had such a smooth experience with Spark clear aligners! Thank you for trusting us again with your smile!
Makayla G.
This is the best orthodontist I’ve ever been too. They treated my son amazing. Wendy assisted us and she was absolutely amazing!
Response from the owner:Hi Makayla! We love hearing this! Thank you for sharing your kind words. We’ll be sure to pass along the shout-out to Wendy—she’ll be so happy to know she made your visit special!
Tanisha J.
Becky was amazing he was very professional and gentle!
The entire staff is great!
Response from the owner:We appreciate the kind words, thank you!
Natalie K.
Excellent personal care! My daughter was nervous but we felt so loved. Dr. Gass answered all questions and made us feel comfortable with treatment options.
Response from the owner:Hi Natalie! We are so glad Dr. Gass and our team helped your daughter feel at ease and cared for. We look forward to continuing her smile journey with you!
envymimi 2.
they are so nice it’s scary 😭🦦 I’ve been here for a year it’s a pleasure everytime
Response from the owner:Thank you for the review!
Deanna P.
I decided to get braces on again for cosmetic reasons after about 20 years. I went to a few places for consultations, and ultimately chose Koch Orthodontics based on the clean office, welcoming staff, and great online reviews. I’m about a year through my treatment and I was getting a discouraged I was not going to get my “dream smile” I had envisioned in my head. I asked to make an appointment with my doctor and Dr Koch to talk me through my concerns and go over the rest of my treatment. Initially, everyone’s schedule wasn’t lining up until after my braces were supposed to come off (in 3 wks) which left me kind of bummed. However, the next day, I received a phone call from a lady named Ashley saying Dr Koch wanted to review my plan with my Dr (Gass) and can get me in for an appointment the next day. It was then I knew I picked the right orthodontist. Not only were my concerns listened to, openly discussed with me, and thoroughly reviewed with my current treatment plan by both Dr. Gass and Dr Koch, they really made me feel like they wanted the best for my smile. I truly appreciated the effort of everyone involved making sure I’m happy with my outcome. I can honestly recommend this orthodontist now.

And continuously, the two best techs I’ve had are Johnny and Devonte. Shoutout to them!
Response from the owner:Hi Deanna! Thank you so much for sharing this! We’re so glad Dr. Koch, Dr. Gass, and Ashley could put your mind at ease and make sure you feel confident in your smile journey. And Johnny and Devonte will love the shoutout, they really are the best!
Marcus G.
The best ever, great service. Nice people and staff. I love the vibe….and the coffee 😏
Response from the owner:Hi Marcus! Yay! We’re so happy you love the vibe (and the coffee 😉). It always makes our day having you here with us!
Imaksumic
10/10 Its so clean and everbody is so kind to you Love this place !! ❤️❤️✌️
Response from the owner:Hi Imakusmic! Reviews like this make our day! Thank you for noticing our clean space and kind team, we love having you as part of the KO family!
Nicole M.
They are always so welcoming and polite. They are knowledgeable about teeth and make my kids feel comfortable every time. The coffee and water is an added bonus.
Response from the owner:Hi Nicole! Thank you so much for sharing this! We love hearing that your kids feel comfortable at every visit. And we’re glad you enjoy the coffee and water too! We’re so happy to have your family as part of the KO family!
Latea G.
Staff very friendly, smells good and is always clean
Response from the owner:Hi Latea! Thank you so much! We love hearing that. Our team works hard to keep everything fresh, clean, and welcoming!
Flash S.
The staff is always very kind and cheerful, always excited to see you.
Response from the owner:Hi Flash Set! We truly love what we do, and it makes us so happy to know that kindness and cheerfulness shine through when you visit.
Brittany G.
Such awesome place to do business!!! Glad to have my son’s braces done here!! Def recommend to anyone!!
Response from the owner:Hi Brittany! We are so happy your son is a part of our KO family! Thanks for letting us be a part of his smiles journey and for spreading the word!
Amina B.
I’ve had such a great experience with my orthotist and aligner journey! From the very beginning, everything was explained clearly and I always felt comfortable and informed. The aligners have been easy to use, and I’ve already noticed such a positive difference. My orthotist has been supportive, attentive, and genuinely cares about my progress. Appointments are always smooth, and I never feel rushed.

Overall, I’m really happy with the results so far and would definitely recommend both the aligners and my orthotist to anyone considering treatment.
Response from the owner:Hi Amina! Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear that your aligner journey has been smooth and that you’ve already noticed such a positive difference. Our team loves making sure everything is clear and comfortable for you, so it means a lot to know you’ve felt supported every step of the way. We can’t wait to see your continued progress and final results!
Tiffany T.
They are nice and very sweet… Brantley was scared when he came to get work done but the team made him feel very welcome and comfortable too
Response from the owner:Hi Tiffany! Thank you so much for sharing this! We’re so glad Brantley felt comfortable with us! It means a lot that he left his visit feeling welcomed and at ease. Our team always wants every patient to feel safe and cared for, especially when they’re nervous. We truly appreciate your kind words! 💙
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