What to Expect After Braces: A Comprehensive Guide to Post-Ortho Care

At Park Slope Dental Arts in Brooklyn, NY, we believe your orthodontic journey continues long after your braces are removed. Dr. Richard Lee, Board Certified Orthodontist, says, “Post-orthodontic care is just as important as the teeth straightening treatment itself.” With proactive maintenance, you can keep your smile straight and healthy for the future.

The First Few Days After Braces Removal

After the excitement of getting your braces off, the first few days might feel a bit strange. Your teeth and gums may feel sensitive as they adjust to the additional freedom. You might repeatedly run your tongue across your teeth or look in the mirror more often to see how amazing you look. And hey, who are we to judge? 

To smooth your transition to post-orthodontic care, try sticking to softer foods for a few days, and avoid hard or sticky items that can cause discomfort. It’s also a great time to start establishing a routine for long-term orthodontic maintenance, as consistent habits will help protect your new smile.

Essential Dental Cleaning & Exam 

Within days of your braces removal, it’s important to see us for a thorough professional cleaning and oral health exam. When you have braces, maintaining oral hygiene can be more challenging, and bacterial biofilm can become a significant concern. Bacterial biofilm is a sticky, colorless film made up of bacteria that naturally forms on the surfaces of your teeth. 

When you have braces, biofilm can especially build up around brackets, wires, and other braces components. When not properly removed, it can harden into tartar and lead to oral health problems like gum inflammation, stains, cavities, and gum disease—things a professional cleaning can help resolve. 

At Park Slope Dental Arts, we use Biofilm EMS Airflow to disclose the plaque throughout your mouth, even in pockets and places tough to see with braces. As we gently spray the plaque away, we can help ensure your mouth becomes fully clean, freeing you from staining and the inflamed, puffy, bleeding gums that are common after braces.

Common Post-Braces Issues and Solutions

Once your braces are removed, maintaining excellent oral hygiene is crucial to protect your newly straightened teeth and address any lingering effects, such as enamel demineralization or plaque buildup. Incorporating these into your routine will help you maintain a healthy and radiant smile. 

Not all of these will be right or needed for every patient, but we’ll recommend a customized selection of solutions based on your oral health after braces removal.

Daily Oral Hygiene

• Brush Twice Daily: Use a soft-bristled or electric toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to clean all surfaces of your teeth thoroughly. Pay attention to areas where brackets were attached.
• Floss Daily: Use traditional floss, floss threaders, or water flossers to clean between teeth and under your retainer wires.
• Rinse with Mouthwash: An antibacterial or fluoride rinse can strengthen enamel and reduce bacteria.

Additional Treatments for Stronger Teeth After Braces

• • Fluoride Varnishes: Applied by your dentist, these protect your enamel, reduce sensitivity, and prevent cavities.
  • Remineralizing Agents: Products containing calcium, phosphate, and fluoride (like MI Paste) help rebuild weakened enamel and reduce white spots.
  • Prescription Fluoride Toothpaste: A high-fluoride toothpaste may be recommended to strengthen enamel further.
  • Nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HA): A biocompatible form of hydroxyapatite, a natural mineral that makes up 97% of tooth enamel and 70% of dentin. It’s effective for remineralization and repair, and comes in toothpastes, mouthwashes, and gels.
  • Mouthwashes: Including the possibility of antimicrobial mouthwashes to target harmful bacteria and inflammation.

Regular Dental Visits Are Essential

• Professional Cleanings: Schedule dental cleanings every six months (or more frequently if advised) to remove tartar and address any concerns.
• Retainer & Alignment Checks: Aside from cleaning retainers daily with a retainer cleaner or mild soap, please bring them to your appointments for inspection and adjustment. We’ll also check to make sure your teeth are staying aligned (with the help of your retainer, of course).

Post-Orthodontic Care: the Role of Retainers

Retainers play an essential role in maintaining the alignment you’ve just achieved. Once your braces are removed or you stop wearing your aligners, your teeth naturally want to shift based on forces from the tongue, lips, and cheeks, as well as chewing. Wearing a retainer prevents this from happening and keeps your teeth in place.

Types of Retainers and Their Benefits

There are a few different retainer options for your post-orthodontic plan. We’ll recommend the best one for your case, but the options include:

• Fixed (or bonded) retainers: These are glued to the back of your teeth and remain in place all the time, making them a convenient, worry-free option. Fixed retainers are intended for long-term or even lifelong use, depending on your age and other factors.
  
• Removable retainers: Clear or made of wire and acrylic, these are easy to take out for eating and brushing. They are often worn full-time for about the first 6 months after braces are removed, allowing time for things to settle and ligaments to tighten back up. After that, most patients can wear them only at night indefinitely to prevent shifting.

Dr. Lee advises, “The best retainer for you depends on your lifestyle and preferences. We’ll help you choose one that fits your post-orthodontic care plan and keeps your teeth in the correct position.”

Regular Dental Checkups: Why They Are Important Post-Orthodontics

Of course, daily brushing and flossing are essential for anyone’s long-term oral health. If sensitivity or minor issues persist after braces, we’ll help you determine the best course of action to keep your teeth both straight and healthy. 

Beyond that, regular professional cleanings let us remove tartar and plaque buildup, while your checkups allow us to monitor the health of your teeth and gums. We’ll work with you to help you maintain a straight, healthy smile during post-orthodontic care and the rest of your life.

How The Park Slope Dental Arts Team Supports Your Post-Ortho Journey

At Park Slope Dental Arts, we are committed to guiding you every step of the way, from braces removal to long-term care. Our team will provide personalized recommendations to ensure your post-orthodontic care is effective and fits your lifestyle. “Post-orthodontic care is a partnership between you and our team,” says Dr. Lee. “We’re here to help you protect your investment.”

Disclaimer: The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.