Dental Braces for Kids

What to do After the Dental Braces are Out

Having the braces finally out of your mouth is such a great relief that you feel like celebrating. But before you go and indulge take note first of what you can and can’t eat after the braces are removed to ensure that all the money spent and sacrifices endured to have straight teeth and a wonderful smile will not go to waste.

• After the braces, you need to be fitted with a retainer, a thin piece of plastic that is fitted on top of the teeth and is placed there to help teeth stay set in its new position after the braces. It will only be for a short time but when first installed you might find yourself having a slight lisp while your tongue is getting used to the plastic. You might need to wear your braces continually for at least a week and afterwards only at night time. Make sure that you follow the instructions of your orthodontist on how to care for them.

• Once the braces are removed the teeth are a little wobbly and weak so allow your mouth to get used to the freedom from metals and wires before indulging in all the crunchy and gummy food favorites that you were not allowed to eat while the braces were on.

• Your teeth might have stains or discoloration after the brace is removed. This is due to the difficulty of cleaning the teeth while the braces are on.

Food that usually stain teeth are coffee, colas , tea, and berries among others. To remove these unsightly stains you can consider using whitening toothpaste or gels with peroxide bleach content. It will take at least 12 weeks for these whitening solutions to have any visible effect. Another option is to get a laser teeth whitening treatment if you cannot wait to have that dazzling white smile.