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You probably feel as though you've been wearing your braces for a lifetime. And so when the day comes to finally have them removed, you may be looking forward to enjoying the same freedoms that those without braces enjoy, such as eating anything you want.

But the truth is that there will still be some work to be done after your braces come off. And in order to keep your new smile as healthy as possible, you will have to be patient.

Adults

If you are an adult who's just had their braces removed, you might notice that your teeth don't feel as tight in your mouth. But this will improve with time. Because teeth tend to be very weak following the removal of braces, eating hard or crunchy foods as soon as you've left the orthodontist's office is the last thing you should do.

Your dental clinic will have supplied you with important instructions about how to care for your teeth after braces, including how often to wear your retainer. And these instructions should be followed exactly to ensure the long -term health of your mouth and your smile.

And even though you may not be able to eat all of the foods you want when your braces come off, you can still stock up on your favourites after you've waited a day or two for your mouth to adjust.

Regular dental check-up and bi-annual visits to your hygienist are paramount in keeping your mouth, lips, cheeks and tongue healthy after your brace removal.

Children

Time can seem to move much more slowly to a child, which can make them extra impatient about getting their braces removed and getting back to those foods they love. They will have a new addition to their routine, which will be the retainer. And so it may take some time to get used to remembering to wear it. But regular reminders, along with why the retainer must be worn can soon make wearing it a healthy habit that's second nature.

Talking to your child about what they may be experiencing is also beneficial. It can be a relief to a child to know that any feelings of insecurity with this new change are perfectly normal. As well, talking to your child about their experience can also benefit you, as these conversations can help you identify anything that may be abnormal following the removal of your child's braces, such as unusual pain or reaction to any painkillers they may be taking.