That day has finally arrived! After months of treatment, including brushing around brackets and wires, avoiding popcorn and gum, and ensuring you wear your rubber bands, the big day has arrived — debond day! Your braces are coming off!
Does it hurt to get braces off? How long does it take to remove braces? Can you eat a whole bowl of popcorn after braces? We know you have a million questions like these, and the team at Fergus Orthodontics is here to help!
What Is Debonding Day?
What is the meaning of debonding? It’s the process of removing your braces from your teeth. The brackets and braces bands were bonded to your teeth, so we debond them during your braces removal.
Debonding involves using a special tool to pinch the brackets, which dislodges them from the adhesive and the tooth. How do we remove the braces glue from your teeth? Once the brackets and bands are removed, we use a special buffing tool to remove all the remaining adhesive.
How Long Does Getting Braces Off Take?
The debonding process won’t take as long as it did to bond the braces to your teeth. However, it will take longer than your standard office visits. Not only will we remove your braces, but we will also remove any remaining bonding agent from your teeth.
We will also get the impressions or dental images we need for your new retainers, which will help keep your smile beautiful for years to come.
Once your teeth are clean of braces and braces cement, we will then take a few after pictures. You’ll want to see the difference between the first photos with your braces and what you look like now, right?
The entire process, including the removal of braces, should take approximately 30-60 minutes.
Does Getting Braces Off Hurt?
No, it doesn’t hurt to get your braces off. However, your teeth will feel a bit odd for the first day or two. They may be more sensitive than usual.
We recommend enjoying soft foods for the first day or two as your teeth adjust to being bare again. Avoid anything too hot, cold, or sweet, as it may cause discomfort for your sensitive teeth.
The sensitivity should disappear within a few days, and you’ll be able to eat normally again. Yes, that includes that big bowl of popcorn! (Just brush and floss afterward!)
Can I Get My Teeth Whitened After Braces?
We don’t recommend you get your teeth whitened right away, as tempting as it may be. We know you want your new smile to sparkle, but teeth whitening should be delayed for a few months while your teeth adjust.
Teeth whitening can cause sensitivity because the powerful chemicals penetrate the enamel and reach the dentin. This soft protective layer covers the pulp of the tooth, where nerves and blood vessels reside.
Small tubules in the dentin provide a path to the pulp. Whitening agents can penetrate the dentin to the pulp, affecting the nerves. This can make your teeth ache or hurt. If your teeth are already sensitive due to the removal of braces, this can increase the pain and prolong it.
That’s why we recommend you wait before whitening your teeth.
Wearing Retainers After Braces
Though your teeth are bare of braces, they won’t stay that way for too long. We’ll quickly fit you for retainers, which will hold your teeth in place while your jaw sets. After months of moving, your teeth will likely continue to shift. Retainers stop that.
It’s vital that you wear your retainers all the time for the first few months, except when eating, drinking dark-colored liquids, or brushing and flossing your teeth. Otherwise, your teeth may shift out of place, requiring additional treatment.
The good news is, you’ll be able to reduce your time in retainers after a few months from 22 hours a day to about 8 hours a day. For most people, that means simply wearing them overnight.
How Will I Feel After Braces?
Patients often experience mixed emotions after having their braces removed. After months of feeling them on their teeth, suddenly not feeling them will be, well, odd. But you’ll get used to it quickly every time you see that new smile!
For most patients, seeing their new smile brings a significant boost in self-confidence. Many patients once hid their smiles due to the appearance of their teeth. Now that they’re straight, they want to show that new smile off. We love seeing that new self-confidence!
Many patients love celebrating with photos — whether it’s a selfie or simply showing off their new smile to friends and family. You earned that smile. You deserve that smile. And with proper care, that healthy smile will be with you for a lifetime!
FAQs About Life After Braces
How long does it take to get braces off?
Does debonding damage your teeth?
When will I get my retainers?
Can I whiten my teeth after braces?
Will my teeth shift if I forget my retainer?
What can I eat after braces?
See Your Before and After Braces in Jonesboro, AR!
Are you ready to see your smile before and after braces in Jonesboro, AR? Schedule an appointment with Fergus Orthodontics! Let’s get you started on the journey to a beautiful, healthy, new smile!
