How to Keep Enamel Strong After Braces

After months of care, precise brushing & accidentally popping more than one stick of gum in your mouth, your braces are finally ready to come off. What state are your teeth in after removal & how can you best care for them?

The Big Day

When it’s time to visit the orthodontist to get your braces removed, it’s important to come with a clean smile. Brushing your teeth, as well as using approved cleaning picks to get around wires is recommended. This will help ensure that the tools used to remove bonding aren’t obstructed.
Your dentist will provide you with any specific instructions before you arrive, but typically, the process is much smoother than when the braces were put on. You can expect treatment time to last about an hour.

How Braces Bonding Effects Teeth

Removing the bonding, or glue, that fastened braces to your teeth will cause some slight damage to the enamel. However, this has been mitigated through the use of softer abrasive materials & a gentle polishing process. There are currently several methods practitioners use, but one of the more effective are tungsten carbide burs, which are shown to do much less damage than earlier methods using Arkansas stones or diamond burs.

The removal may also reveal some white spots on teeth. This is due to a buildup of plaque that discolors the enamel. Your dentist can remove this discoloration in most cases through regular cleaning techniques.

Aftercare

The wear on your teeth can cause some temporary sensitivity so it may be best to avoid too hot or cold foods for a short while. In addition, the polishing may make teeth more prone to discoloration from coffee or similar drinks which should be imbibed in moderation with brushing after. This also helps keep your teeth from prolonged exposure to acidic foods.

Your dentist may also continue fluoride treatments to help keep teeth strong throughout recovery, as it is one of the main supplements for enamel health. Often, brushing with a fluoride toothpaste is recommended while braces are on. You may be asked to come in for more frequent exams & cleanings in the first months after removal too.

So while you are enjoying your new bite & straighter smile, it’s important to remember that your teeth will be sensitive for a while after your braces come off. But with proper care & a talk with your dentist, you can avoid prolonged recovery times.

Sources:
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/early-orthodontics/getting-braces-off-how-to-prepare#
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4211420/
https://academic.oup.com/ejo/article/41/1/59/4990895