What Not To Do After Getting Braces Off: 7 Mistakes That Can Damage Your Smile

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Occasional jaw soreness or difficulty chewing can be easy to ignore. Crooked teeth or a shifting bite can be brushed aside as a cosmetic issue. 

The day has finally arrived! After months (or years) of orthodontist appointments, sore teeth, and bills, your braces are finally ready to be removed. Braces are a big investment of both time and money, so you want to protect your new smile so it lasts for years to come. This includes knowing what not to do after getting your braces off. 

Seemingly innocuous activities can cause damage to teeth after braces removal, or undo all the weeks of work that braces did. Some activities and foods should only be avoided for a day or two after braces removal, while other things should be avoided indefinitely. In this guide we will discuss 7 crucial things to avoid after braces removal to keep your new teeth pristine. 

Table of Contents

The First 48 Hours of Braces Removal

Getting your braces removed is exciting, but it can also be nerve-racking. Patients should expect the process to take some time, as the braces’ bonding needs to be dissolved and any leftover adhesive carefully removed. The appointment usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. 

The first 24-48 hours after braces removal, patients can expect:

  • Tooth sensitivity to cold food and drinks. This should pass within 48 hours. 
  • Mild soreness in teeth and gums as teeth adjust to the removal of pressure from braces. 
  • Possible callouses inside the mouth and the lips from braces. These go away over time. 

To ease discomfort, patients can try over-the-counter pain relievers, eat soft foods, and use a soft-bristle toothbrush on sore gums and teeth. 

If you are worried about pain with braces, you shouldn’t let that stop you. Modern orthodontics uses much gentler techniques than those of the past. To learn more, check out Biermann Orthodontics in Beaverton, OR. 

What Should You Avoid After Braces Removal?

Here is a short list of what you should avoid after braces removal:

  • Hard, sticky food
  • Sugary treats and drinks  
  • Irregular retainer usage
  • Using your teeth as tools 
  • Neglecting dental health
  • Not going to follow-up dental and orthodontist appointments 
  • Ignoring tooth pain and shifting 
  • Whitening too soon

Read on to learn more about these bad behaviors and what you can do to avoid damaging your new smile. 

7 Common Post-Braces Mistakes That Can Affect Your Smile

Here are some common behaviors that can damage teeth after braces are removed: 

#1: Eating Hard, Sugary, or Sticky Foods

After your braces are removed, your teeth can be sensitive and still have some tooth mobility. For that reason, it is important to avoid eating anything too hard or sticky, such as:

  • Sticky candy, like taffy, caramels, and gummies 
  • Nuts
  • Popcorn or kettle corn
  • Tough, crusty bread or pizza crust 
  • Hard fruits and vegetables like raw carrots, whole apples, sugarcane, etc. 
  • Jerky

In addition, anyone who just got their braces removed should avoid sugary drinks and food like candy, sports drinks, sodas, sugar coffee drinks, etc. This is because the tooth enamel is dehydrated and porous from braces removal, and especially vulnerable to  tooth decay, plaque, yellowing, and cavities. So save the sweets for a few weeks after your braces are removed. 

#2: Skipping Retainer Use

When it comes to protecting your investment in braces, there is nothing more important than retainer use. Studies confirm that, without regular retainer use, up to 70% of patients experience significant tooth relapse. Shifting teeth may require a second round of braces to correct. 

Save yourself the time and money, and wear your retainer after you get your braces removed. Be sure to follow all the directions from your orthodontist closely, whether that is wearing your retainer all the time for a few weeks after braces removal or only at night. Regular retainer use prevents your teeth from naturally shifting back to their original position, which can happen over time from aging and hormone changes.  

#3: Neglecting Oral Hygiene

Some people think that, after braces are removed, trips to the dentist and dental hygiene are less important. That could not be further from the truth! 

Oral hygiene and regular dental visits are critical to maintaining tooth health after braces are removed. Directly after braces removal, teeth are dehydrated and prone to plaque buildup, as well as cavities. Careful brushing and flossing must be maintained to ensure that teeth remain healthy. If brushing is painful immediately after braces removal, temporarily try a soft-bristle toothbrush. 

In addition, regular trips to the dentist for cleanings are an important part of maintaining your teeth after braces. They will be able to ensure your teeth are staying in place while also keeping your smile at its best. 

#4: Missing Orthodontist Check-Up Appointments

Orthodontist check-up appointments are an important part of the process. There is still a lot of orthodontic work to do after braces removal. Patients need to be fitted for retainers, which may need adjustment after initial placement. Orthodontists also sometimes apply permanent retainers, and these need to be monitored to ensure they don’t shift and cause damage. 

Braces removal is not the end of orthodontic care. Teeth post-braces must be closely monitored for signs of shifting, gaps, retainer failure, and more. So make sure to attend all orthodontist check-up appointments! 

#5: Using Your Teeth as Tools

If you’ve recently had your braces removed, you might want to think before you use your teeth to open a tough package or a soda can. 

Teeth are sensitive and fragile after braces removal. The ligaments and tissue surrounding the teeth are still adjusting to this new placement and have not yet been solidified in your jawbone. Using your teeth as tools is a good example of what not to do after getting your braces off, as it can cause unnecessary trauma to your teeth as they settle into their new positions in your mouth. So be extra careful with your newly aligned smile! 

#6: Whitening Too Soon

Unfortunately, teeth can become slightly yellow after braces. This is usually due to the braces making dental hygiene difficult, causing a buildup of plaque on the teeth. In addition, coffee, soda, and berries can all contribute to staining teeth during braces. 

This problem is fixable with at-home or dental office tooth whitening, but patients should wait at least 4-6 weeks and sometimes up to 6 months to whiten their teeth. Here is why:

  • Teeth are sensitive after braces removal, which can make tooth whitening very painful. 
  • Tooth enamel needs to remineralize after braces are removed, and whitening can cause damage to porous enamel. 
  • Your teeth need to readjust to saliva, which has a natural restorative effect on teeth. 

#7: Ignoring Shifting and Ongoing Discomfort

If you notice a shift in your teeth after your braces are removed, or are experiencing tooth pain, don’t ignore it! Schedule a visit with your orthodontist. 

If caught early, minor shifting and tooth pain can be fixed much more easily (and affordably) than advanced, painful dental problems like impacted teeth and infections. 

Protect Your Smile With Biermann Orthodontics

Are you ready for your perfect smile? Had braces when you were younger, and noticed shifting or gaps? Don’t panic, call Biermann Orthodontics to learn more about modern braces options in the Pacific Northwest! 

We are proud to be the best orthodontic office in Beaverton, OR. Biermann Orthodontics offers both Invisalign and traditional braces. In fact, we are a Platinum Invisalign Provider. We offer treatment to both kids and adults and pride ourselves on our exceptional customer service. 

At Biermann Orthodontics, we know braces are a big investment. We work with most dental insurances and accept all major credit cards. We also work with Care Credit and offer no-interest in-house financing through Orthobank. Whether you have been referred to us by your dentist or simply want straighter teeth and a better smile, give us a call to learn more. 

The content in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.