Getting your braces off is a milestone to celebrate. We know our patients love seeing their beautiful new smiles in the mirror for the first time — and we love seeing the excitement and confidence that comes with their new grins! It’s a well-deserved and special moment.
So how can you honor all your hard work and all the waiting for your teeth to straighten? Here, the VanderWall Orthodontics team has six fun ideas for celebrating getting your braces off.
What Getting Your Braces Off Looks Like
First, the first question many patients ask about getting their braces off is, “Does getting braces off hurt?” We’re happy to let you know that getting your braces removed doesn’t hurt a bit!
A VanderWall Orthodontics team member will use special tools to gently remove your wires and brackets, make sure there’s no adhesive left, then polish your teeth. Of course, you’ll get a moment to admire your results in the mirror. Then we’ll take quick and painless digital scans of your mouth with our iTero® scanner so that we can create a custom retainer. Wearing your retainer ensures your teeth settle into their new positions securely and for a lifetime. Getting your braces off typically takes about an hour; once that’s done, it’s time to celebrate!
How to Celebrate Getting Your Braces Off
1. Whiten Your Teeth
Some patients want to level up their smile even more with teeth whitening. We suggest professional teeth whitening for the most dramatic and safe results. Ask Dr. VanderWall for his recommendations on local dentists who offer this service.
2. Indulge in the Fun Foods You’ve Missed
Popcorn, caramel apples, and gummy worms, oh my! One of the best ways to celebrate getting your braces off is to enjoy the foods you couldn’t eat during treatment. Once your hardware is gone, dig in (in moderation, of course)! Some of our favorite places in the Triangle area for treats include:
- Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory at Waverly Place: 302 Colonades Way, Suite 204, Cary, NC
- It’Sugar: The Streets at Southpoint: 8030 Renaissance Parkway, Suite 92, Durham, NC
- Carolina Popcorn Shoppe: 5655 Western Blvd Ste D Raleigh, NC
3. Enjoy a Special Meal
Order whatever you want at your favorite local restaurant to celebrate getting your braces removed. Not sure where to go? Here, a few options for tasty food in Raleigh, Cary, and Durham:
- Corbett’s Burger & Soda Bar: 126 Kilmayne Dr., Cary, NC 27511
- Totopo’s: 1388 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary, NC
- Bull City Burger and Brewery: 107 E. Parrish St. #105, Durham, NC
- Neomonde (in Raleigh, Morrisville, and Durham): Raleigh – 3817 Beryl Road, Raleigh, NC
4. Throw an “I Got My Braces Off” Party
Host a braces off party to show off your smile transformation. Braces off party ideas? A backyard barbecue means foods like corn on the cob and steak you couldn’t eat with braces. Or maybe an “I Got My Braces Off!” cozy dinner is more your style.
5. Take a Daycation
Play tourist in your own town. Take in must-see sights like the North Carolina Museum of Art or the North Carolina State Capital. Or take a guided rickshaw tour of The Raleigh Warehouse District and eat all the delicious food. Love nature? Stroll through one of the area’s many natural amenities, like Pullan Park.
6. Reward Yourself
The perfect braces off gift ideas? The ones you give yourself! Treat yourself to something that complements your new smile. Pick up a bold lipstick to highlight your new smile, get a facial at a spa, or head to the barbershop or salon for a fresh haircut.
Love Your Smile and Celebrate It
Haven’t started orthodontic treatment yet? Schedule a complimentary consultation with your Raleigh, Cary, and Durham orthodontist, Dr. VanderWall. We’re all about designing personalized smiles with innovative orthodontics — like custom LightForce braces. Contact us for an appointment with an expert, board-certified orthodontist in the Triangle area. We’ll help you achieve a smile you’ll want to celebrate.
