The day your braces come off is a big moment. After months (or maybe years) of dedication, you finally get to see your full smile without brackets or wires. It’s exciting, but it’s also normal to have questions about what comes next. Will your teeth stay straight? Can you whiten them? What should you be doing now?
At Zombek Orthodontics, we want you to feel confident not only about your results, but also about maintaining them. Life after braces typically involves wearing a retainer, maintaining regular dental care, and making a few adjustments to help your smile stay healthy.
Here are five things to keep in mind once your braces come off.
One of the first things people ask is, "Do I really have to wear a retainer?" The short answer is yes, but it’s not as overwhelming as it might sound.
Your teeth have worked hard to find their proper position. Wearing a retainer helps hold them there while the surrounding bone and tissue adjust. Most people start by wearing their retainer most of the day, taking it out for meals and brushing. After a few months, that usually shifts to wearing it just at night.
Over time, a nighttime routine is all you need to help maintain your results. Your orthodontist will walk you through exactly what to expect, based on your unique treatment plan.
Not all retainers are the same. Your orthodontist will help you choose the type that best suits your teeth and lifestyle.
Each type has pros and cons, and we’ll talk you through the options before your braces come off.
It’s not unusual to notice small white spots on your teeth once your braces are removed. These are often areas where minerals in your enamel have worn away, which can happen when plaque builds up around brackets.
This does not mean you weren’t trying. Brushing and flossing with braces is tough, even when you’re doing your best. If you ever feel like you’re having a hard time cleaning your teeth during treatment, we’re always here to help with tips and tools.
While white spots usually don’t go away entirely on their own, there are ways to make them less noticeable, including whitening treatments and fluoride care. Your general dentist can talk through options with you.
Many people choose to whiten their teeth after braces. It’s a nice way to enhance your smile and reduce contrast between any white spots and the rest of your enamel.
We usually recommend waiting about three to six months before whitening. This gives your teeth time to settle after treatment and helps minimize sensitivity. Whitening too soon can feel uncomfortable, especially if your teeth are already sensitive from having brackets removed.
When you are ready, your general dentist can recommend professional whitening options. These treatments tend to be more effective and gentler than store-bought kits, especially if you’re dealing with sensitivity.
You may have heard that wisdom teeth should come out after braces. That used to be standard advice, but today, it depends on the person.
Most of the time, shifting after braces is caused by not wearing a retainer, rather than by wisdom teeth. Still, wisdom teeth can cause issues such as crowding in the back of your mouth, making it harder to keep your mouth clean or even leading to discomfort.
We can use X-rays to examine your wisdom teeth and help you determine the best course of action. If they’re coming in normally and not causing any problems, there may be no need to remove them.
Once the braces come off, you have a lot more freedom, especially when it comes to eating. It’s fine to enjoy some of the foods you had to avoid, but try to keep up those good habits too.
Sticking to a balanced diet and limiting sugary snacks will help keep your teeth strong. If you enjoy treats like candy or soda occasionally, be sure to brush and floss daily and keep up with your regular dental checkups.
A little consistency goes a long way.
Whether you’re still in treatment or ready to celebrate the end of your braces journey, Zombek Orthodontics is here to help. We’re not just here for the before and during — we’re here for the after too.
If you’re looking for an orthodontist in Hollywood, FL, or Weston, FL, schedule a virtual consultation with our team. We’d love to help you keep your smile looking and feeling great for years to come.
Braces are just for kids, right? If you’re an adult, you’re supposed to just “live with” crooked teeth or a bad bite, right? Absolutely not! You deserve the smile of your dreams at any age, and Zombek Orthodontics wants to help you make that happen!
When is it too late for braces? Never! A straight smile is about a lot more than aesthetics. A straight smile not only improves your oral health but also enhances your overall well-being. It can improve breathing or speech in some instances, and it can even boost your self-confidence. That’s why we believe you’re entitled to a straight smile at any age.
What can you expect with adult orthodontics vs. orthodontics for kids? Are there other options than two years of metal braces? You’ll be amazed at what today’s orthodontics can offer!
Are there benefits to adult braces? Absolutely! Crowded or crooked teeth can be harder to keep clean, which can lead to gum disease or other dental issues over time. Adult orthodontic treatment not only gives you a beautiful smile — it also supports better long-term dental health and helps you keep your natural teeth healthy for years to come.
Here are some of the benefits to getting a straight smile from adult braces:
Adult braces can solve problems you may not be aware are related to your teeth!
There are probably more adult orthodontic treatment options available now than what you remember as a kid. Orthodontics today doesn’t mean spending many years with a “mouthful of metal.” Today’s braces are smaller, more efficient, faster, and more comfortable than those you missed getting as a kid.
Zombek Orthodontics offers LightForce self-ligating braces. These braces are made to be more comfortable than previous braces. They are fitting with precision so each braces bracket applies the proper pressure in the exact place on the tooth to move it quickly and comfortably.
Clear ceramic braces are an option for patients who want a lower profile with the same moving power of metal braces. Our self-ligating clear braces will move your teeth just as effectively, but the ceramic brackets are designed to match the color of your teeth closely. It makes them less visible than traditional metal braces.
If you’re unsure about wearing braces, clear aligners like Invisalign treatment might be a better option for you. Clear aligners for adults are popular because they’re nearly invisible on the teeth, so people may not even know you’re undergoing orthodontic treatment!
Today’s Invisalign can treat more cases than ever, including:
Certain cases may still require braces instead of Invisalign. As long as you’re willing to wear your Invisalign at least 22 hours a day, this could be the treatment option for you!
We often hear this question from patients of all ages — how long will I have to wear braces? More importantly, in this case, how long do adults wear braces?
Young children’s jaws are still developing, which allows the teeth to move easier. Adults’ jaws have developed and “set,” meaning the bones have hardened. Does this mean adults can’t get braces? Definitely not! It does mean that it might take a little longer for those braces to work than it does for kids.
On average, children wear braces for 12 to 24 months. That could be extended by a few months for adults, but not by much. You may wear Invisalign for the standard 9-15 months or maybe a couple of months longer.
The primary factor determining the length of your treatment is the severity of your dental issues. Someone with a mild overbite may only wear braces for a few months, whereas someone with severely crooked teeth and an open bite could wear braces for up to two years.
How do you know how long you will wear braces? We’ll determine that when we draw up your braces treatment plan! You’ll know how long your treatment will take, and you’ll have an idea of how you will look before and after adult braces.
As with your treatment time, the amount of treatment you will need will determine the cost of your braces. We will let you know your costs up front. We’ll never surprise you with hidden fees! We’ll also work with you to help you find the best way to pay for braces or clear aligners. Your orthodontic treatment should be affordable to you!
Braces treatment isn’t limited to your teenage years. People of all ages are entitled to a straight, healthy smile. Zombek Orthodontics wants to help you get that smile and keep it the rest of your life.
Schedule an appointment with Zombek Orthodontics in Weston, FL, or Hollywood, FL. We’d love to see you with that beautiful new smile!
Summertime is popular for travel, but what if you’re wearing braces? Are there any additional considerations to keep in mind when traveling with braces? Should you worry about getting through airport security? What if you wear Invisalign? Are there things to remember when traveling with Invisalign?
There are a few things to keep in mind when traveling with braces or traveling with aligners, but none of them should keep you from having a good time. Zombek Orthodontics offers a few helpful orthodontic travel tips to make your vacation a great one while keeping your orthodontic treatment on track.
The first step to a great vacation with braces is to schedule an orthodontic check-up before travel. We can check whether there might be any problems, such as a wire that could poke you or a bracket that might be slightly loose. We can replenish your braces rubber bands supply.
If you’re wearing Invisalign or Invisalign Teen, we can ensure you have enough sets to carry with you in case you need to change sets while you’re away.
We will do all we can to help you prepare for your vacation.
It’s a good idea to take a braces travel kit with you, not just for routine care but also for braces emergencies. Take this kit in your carry-on luggage in case any checked bags get lost.
You’ll need many of the same things for your Invisalign travel kit as you do for your braces travel kit.
In addition to the things you’ll need in the braces kit, you’ll want to add a couple of items for clear aligners. You’ll need aligner cleaning tablets to clean your clear aligners daily. If you don’t have any, it’s OK to use a solution of warm water and mild, clear hand soap. Be sure to rinse your aligners thoroughly afterward.
You should also carry two storage cases with you. One should store your clear aligners. The other should be a backup to hold your old aligners in case you switch to a new set during vacation. It can also serve as your main case in case you lose the other.
Remember, don’t throw away your old aligners if you switch to your new Invisalign trays while on vacation. You may need them if your new ones get lost or damaged.
What’s one of the best parts of visiting a new place? The food! We love trying new restaurants, foods, and drinks while on vacation. At Zombek Orthodontics, we want to encourage you to enjoy your vacation, and that includes trying new foods. Just be sure they fall within the rules for eating with braces.
Certain foods can damage your braces, and the last thing you want is a broken wire or popped bracket while on vacation. So, stay away from foods that are crunchy, sticky, chewy, and hard.
You should be careful of what you drink, too. Coffee, tea, dark sodas, red wines, and dark fruit juices can stain your teeth and clear braces over time. It’s OK to indulge once in a while as long as you rinse your mouth soon afterward to help prevent the stains from setting.
If you’re getting treatment with Invisalign, you don’t have to worry about these restrictions! Just be sure to rinse your mouth and clear aligners, and return them to your mouth as soon after eating as possible.
We do have a bonus tip: Drink lots of plain water! Water is not only good for your teeth and gums, but drinking water also helps you stay hydrated, allowing you to participate in all the fun activities you have planned. Water also helps keep your mouth moist, which keeps your teeth, gums, braces, or clear aligners cleaner. So drink lots of water!
No matter how well you plan a vacation, something is going to happen that isn’t part of the plan. What happens if you need emergency orthodontic care while on vacation?
Zombek Orthodontics has you covered. The first step is not to panic. The next step is to give us a call and explain the situation to us. We’ll be able to talk you through possible solutions. Hopefully, we can provide a temporary solution that will get you through the rest of your vacation without needing an emergency orthodontist visit.
Just in case, it wouldn’t hurt to research “orthodontist near me” once you arrive at your destination. That way, you have an idea where you might go should you need emergency treatment or repair. Look for an orthodontist who provides emergency care. We can work with whoever you find to get you the treatment you need.
A temporary fix may help you get back to your vacation without needing an orthodontist visit. Dental wax can cover a loose bracket or a poking wire. If the wire is poking out the back of your braces band, you may be able to trim it with a pair of nail clippers. We can talk you through it.
Finally, contact us as soon as you get home. We’ll get you into our Weston, FL, or Hollywood, FL, orthodontist office as soon as possible for any repairs.
We know you want to see the answer to the most important question: How do I get through a TSA checkpoint with all this metal?
Rest assured, your stainless steel braces shouldn’t set off the body scanners at the airport. On the off chance it does go off (because you never know what could set those things off), just give the TSA agent a big smile while they pass the wand over you. You should be good to go.
Vacation is supposed to be fun. Worrying about your braces or Invisalign shouldn’t take the fun out of your trip. That’s why we encourage you to be prepared for any braces or Invisalign needs when you travel. These tips should help you have clear sailing on your vacation.
If you have any problems, schedule an appointment with Zombek Orthodontics once you return. We can take care of any issues and get your treatment back on track.
Once you are done wearing braces, it’s time to get retainers so your teeth don’t shift back to their original positions. Permanent retainers, also known as bonded retainers or lingual retainers, are glued in and cannot be removed. That has a lot of advantages, but it seems like flossing would be difficult.
Flossing with retainers is easier than you think! With the proper tools and techniques, you can floss quickly and easily with your bonded retainers. Zombek Orthodontics has a few tips on how to floss and care for your glued-in retainers.
A permanent retainer looks different from the removable plastic retainers you may know. The three most common types of retainers are the Hawley retainer, the Essix retainer, and the permanent retainer.
The Hawley retainer is made of acrylic, and wires fit over and around the teeth to hold them in place. The Essix retainer looks like a clear aligner. It is also made of acrylic and custom-molded to fit over the teeth. Both of these retainers are removable.
The permanent retainer, or lingual retainer, is not removable. It’s a wire that is bonded to the back of your teeth to hold them in place.
The lingual retainer is usually bonded to the back of the lower canines, but it also can be bonded to the back of the upper canines. The wire stretches across the back of the lateral and central incisors, holding all of the front teeth in place. Keeping those teeth in place usually keeps the other teeth in the proper position.
When you hear the word “permanent,” you think it’s, well, permanent. However, a permanent retainer lasts about 10-20 years before it usually needs to be replaced. This is because it can get bent or broken, or the bonding agent can wear out, causing the retainer to pop off the teeth.
We will check your retainer once you receive it. Your dentist can also check during regular cleanings to see whether there are any problems with your retainer. We can replace your retainer when the time comes.
What happens if your retainer breaks or comes loose? Permanent retainers are made of a very strong wire and are cemented to the teeth. They are made to be durable and to last for many years.
However, accidents can happen, and your retainer can break or come loose. It’s also possible to bend the wire, which will cause the teeth to move. The first thing to remember is not to panic! While it’s rare, it does happen, and Zombek Orthodontics is here to help!
If your fixed retainer is damaged or comes loose, the first thing you should do is call your orthodontist. The sooner we take care of your retainer, the less chance your teeth have to move out of place. We will bring you in for a repair or replacement.
You may think it will be difficult to floss with a permanent retainer. Flossing your teeth with a permanent retainer is easy with the right tools.
Floss threaders should be familiar to you. They are the needle-looking plastic devices we recommend to help you floss around the wires of your braces. Floss threaders are made of thin plastic and slide between your teeth and under wires, pulling the dental floss with them. You can also get floss threaders that are single pieces of plastic attached to the end of a piece of floss, so it’s all one piece.
To floss with permanent retainers, use the floss threader to pull the dental floss through your teeth and under the permanent retainer. Floss between your teeth, then lift the floss in the front while keeping it under the retainer.
Move to the next set of teeth and floss between them. Do this until all your teeth are flossed, then remove it from under the retainer. Floss the rest of your teeth as normal.
Here's a tutorial from the Weston orthodontist, Dr. Zombek, for how to floss with your permanent retainer!
Some people like to use water flossers, such as a Waterpik, to floss teeth. These can help dislodge food particles and plaque from around their retainers and between their teeth. However, they don’t have the scrubbing power of dental floss, so they shouldn’t be a replacement for it.
It’s OK to use a water flosser as a supplement to your dental floss, but be sure to floss with dental floss at least once a day. A water flosser can help keep your teeth and retainers clean between uses of dental floss.
There are other ways to care for your permanent retainer. Here are five tips to ensure that your fixed retainer lasts a long time.
Permanent retainers have a lot of advantages. They can’t be lost or forgotten like removable retainers, and you never have to worry about whether you’re wearing them long enough each day. Brushing and flossing with permanent retainers may seem challenging at first, but it’s actually easier than you think.
Zombek Orthodontics is here for you if you have any problems with your permanent retainers. Schedule an appointment with us in our Weston, FL, or Hollywood, FL, orthodontic office and we can help you out. We know how hard you worked to get that beautiful smile. We want to ensure you properly care for your teeth and retainers so you keep that smile beautiful!
This site’s strategy, design, photo & video were created by the marginally-above-average folks @ Clear Partnering Group.
