Improving Your Teeth After Braces
It’s always a celebration once you’re finished with braces treatment. Braces are a great way to improve your oral health and the look of your smile. When you’re finished with braces there are several great ways to continue improving your teeth after braces.
In this article, we will go over what to expect from your teeth after braces and how to protect them. We will also go over ways you can continue to improve your smile through several cosmetic treatments.
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What To Expect From Your Teeth After Braces
Finishing braces treatment is such a nice feeling and quite an accomplishment for your smile. There are a few things to keep in mind for your teeth after braces. Your smile may need some extra help to reach its best and strongest oral health.
Schedule a Dental Cleaning
The brackets, wires, and rubber bands involved with braces make it difficult to brush and floss properly. Having braces increases your plaque, stain, and calculus (tartar) buildup on the teeth. This can cause the gums to be inflamed and possibly bleed.
It’s important to see your dental hygienist for a professional dental cleaning. They will skillfully remove all harmful buildup on the teeth and polish off any stains. Your dental hygienist may also take x-rays to ensure you’re cavity-free. This will also ensure that any remaining glue is off of your teeth.
Maintaining Alignment of Teeth After Braces
Wearing your retainers as instructed is a key factor in maintaining your straight teeth after braces. Teeth will move your entire life and need to fit together like puzzle pieces to function correctly. If your teeth shift out of place, you may need another course of braces to put them back.
In most cases, it is recommended to wear your retainers every night for the first 1-2 years after braces. Some patients have to wear their retainers for longer periods of time depending on their smile. After a few years, you may be able to drop down to wearing your retainers for only 1-2 times per week for life to prevent shifting.
Hawley Retainer
The Hawley Retainer is a removable appliance that uses metal clasps to hold onto the teeth to maintain alignment. They come in an assortment of fun colors.
These types of retainers tend to last longer than other styles if taken care of properly.
Essix Retainer
The Essix Retainer is a clear plastic retainer that covers the entire surface of the tooth. They provide a seamless look that blends into your smile.
These types of retainers may need to be replaced sooner than others due to the material wearing down faster.
Lingual Bar
The Lingual Bar Retainer is a permanent metal bar glued on the inside of the front teeth. The amount of teeth bonded depends on what your dental professional thinks is best.
This is a great option if you think you’ll have trouble remembering to wear your retainers every night.
Retainers can build up plaque, bacteria, stain, and calculus (tartar) just as easily as the teeth. It’s important to clean your retainers every time you take them out. A simple wet toothbrush is enough to remove the daily buildup. Always bring your retainers to your routine dental appointments so your dentist can check them out.
To learn more about retainers, check out our Retainer Wearing and Caring Guide.
Teeth After Braces White Spots
It is common for your teeth after braces to have white, chalky spots that won’t brush off. This is due to poor oral hygiene while having braces. Leaving food and plaque around the brackets promotes bacteria to produce acid causing weak spots in the enamel. The weak spots are the chalky white marks that scar the teeth.
Consult your dentist about these white spots on your teeth after braces. They may be able to help blend them in better. There is also a chance for these areas to also brighten and stand out more after whitening. Avoid whitening your teeth until your dentist evaluates your smile.
Cosmetic Work For your Teeth After Braces
There are several treatments you can do to improve your teeth after braces. With the help of your dentist, you can achieve your perfect smile. Your teeth may need help brightening. You may want to achieve a different look to your smile and change the shape of your teeth.
White Teeth After Braces
Braces make it hard to clean the surfaces of the teeth properly and can lead to more stains building up on the teeth. In some cases, teeth whitening is needed to brighten up your smile. Choosing what whitening system depends on your individual smile.
Check out our articles on Teeth Whitening to learn more.
Teeth Contouring After Braces
Teeth countering after braces is a simple way to make small adjustments to the shape of your teeth. Your dentist will smooth down the superficial layer of your teeth to improve the look of your teeth. It is a simple procedure and doesn’t require any numbing of the teeth.
Front Teeth Restorations
Using dental restorations to shape your teeth after braces can ensure you’re achieving your best smile. Sometimes braces can’t make each tooth touch seamlessly depending on the tooth’s natural shape. Restorations are also a great option to cover any teeth after braces white spots.
- Bonding: Tooth-colored composite resin material (a durable plastic material) that is adhered to the tooth surface. It is not as strong as veneers and crowns but is more minimally invasive.
- Check out our Breaking Down the Tooth Bonding Cost
- Veneers: A thin porcelain or composite resin material that is applied seamlessly to the front of the tooth. Porcelain is stronger than composite veneers but more costly.
- Crowns: A tooth-shaped cap that is custom-made to fit over your tooth. Dental crowns provide a superior level of protection and structural reinforcement.
For more information on these types of dental restorations, check out our article Are Front Teeth Fillings Noticeable?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Teeth Go Back to Normal After Braces?
Half of the orthodontic patients will go into some measurement of relapses of their teeth after braces. This is because they are not wearing their retainer correctly. Your dental professional will help you choose what retainer fits best for your teeth and lifestyle and instruct accordingly. For more information on orthodontic relapse, check out this study in the Australian Dental Journal.
What's next after braces are removed?
As stated above, your dental professional will customize a retainer that fits your teeth and lifestyle best. It is also important to schedule a dental cleaning. Braces make it harder to efficiently clean the plaque, stain, and bacteria off of your teeth. Your dental hygienist will help get any calculus, or tartar, off of your teeth and under the gums.
Can braces ruin your teeth?
Orthodontics can provide several improvements to your oral health. Check out our article The Rewards with Braces for more information. Braces through a dental professional office will not ruin your teeth. Mail-order braces have a higher chance of causing permanent damage to your teeth, bone, gums, and jaw. The biggest risk with braces is the lack of hygiene. Poor oral hygiene habits will cause permanent enamel loss, gum disease, and cavities.
Take Home Smile Store
Visit our Take Home Smile store for educational brochures and other fun printables to help with oral hygiene. All products can be customized to fit your dental needs.
