There aren’t many things better than removing a patient’s braces and watching them check out their brand new smile in the mirror. We love to see the joy and confidence shining through! It’s a well-deserved special moment.
Of course, if you’re one of our Papillion braces patients, we’ll help you mark the occasion in our office, but we also think it’s important for you to honor the big event too. After all, you brushed, you flossed, you kept up with your appointments and now you have fantastic results to show for it. That’s cause for celebration and the Hawley Orthodontics team is sharing some ideas to help you do just that.
The Basics of Getting Braces Off
Before we dive into how to celebrate getting your braces off, let’s talk about the process itself. Does it hurt to get your braces off? Are shots involved? Getting your braces off does not hurt at all and there are no needles involved.
A Hawley Orthodontics team member will use special tools to gently remove your wires and brackets. They’ll get rid of any leftover adhesive and polish your teeth. Of course, you’ll get a moment to admire your smile in the mirror. Then, we’ll take digital scans of your mouth, so we can create a custom retainer for you to ensure your results last a lifetime.
How long does it take to get braces off? This appointment runs about an hour. Once it’s finished, you’ll be able to head home and show off that new smile! 
How to Celebrate Getting Your Braces Off
1. Whiten Your Teeth
After getting your braces removed, complete your smile makeover with teeth whitening treatment. Over-the-counter teeth whitening products like white strips will get rid of minor surface stains, but professional teeth whitening will give you the most dramatic results in just one visit. In fact, to help our patients achieve the straight, white teeth of their dreams, we’re offering Zoom Whitening in Papillion at our office! Give us a call to learn more.
2. Indulge in Your Favorite Crunchy and Sticky Snacks
Bring on the popcorn, apples, Starburst and sugar-free gum! One of the best ways to celebrate getting your braces off is to enjoy the foods you weren’t able to eat during treatment. Go shopping before your removal appointment and once your hardware is gone, dig in (in moderation, of course). Some of our favorite places to get celebratory treats include:
- Just Pop’d Popcorn – 9839 S 96th Street #101, Papillion, NE
- Wicked Caramel Apples
- Hollywood Candy – 1209 Jackson Street, Omaha, NE
- Smallcakes Cupcakery – 814 Tara Plaza, Papillion, NE
3. Have a Special Meal
Go out to eat or order takeout from an Omaha-area restaurant you’ve been wanting to try. Relish the experience of not having to worry about what you can and can’t order or, if you had Invisalign®, not having to take your aligners out before eating. We’d suggest:
- Moran’s Grill – 230 W Lincoln St, Papillion, NE
- Cafe Diem – 9839 S 96th St, #109, Papillion, NE
- Grecian Gyros – 839 Tara Plaza, Papillion, NE
- Thai Orchids Restaurant – 8058 84th St, La Vista, NE
- Caniglia’s A Mano – 13178 Lincoln Rd, #101, Papillion, NE
- La Mesa Mexican Restaurant – 829 Tara Plaza, Papillion, NE
- Ollie & Hobbes Craft Kitchen – 310 E Gold Coast Rd, Papillion, NE
- El Chicano Mexican Bistro – 120 Olson Dr #101, Papillion, NE
- The Good Life Bar – 11336 S 96th St, Papillion, NE
- SPIN! Pizza – 248 Olson Dr, Papillion, NE
- Ming’s Restaurant – 828 Tara Plaza, Papillion, NE
- El Vallarta – 11910 Standing Stone Dr #105, Gretna, NE
- We’ll Smoke U BBQ – 11773 S Highway 6, Gretna, NE
- Stella’s Bar and Grill – 106 Galvin Rd S, Bellevue, NE
- Umami – 1504 Galvin Rd S, Bellevue, NE
4. Throw a Party
Host a braces off party to show your loved ones your results. Whether it’s a backyard barbecue, a Zoom get-together or a cozy dinner, be sure to serve up plenty of smiles and some of those foods that were off limits when you had braces.
5. Do a Photoshoot
Commemorate your new smile with a photoshoot. Have a friend or family member take pics to remember the big day. Or, hire a professional photographer to really take it to the next level.
6. Take a Daycation
Plan a day to play tourist in Omaha. Wander around taking in the sights, do some fun activities and eat all of the amazing food. (If you need some ideas for where to go, we have a few here, here and here 😉.)
7. Reward Yourself
Treat yourself to something that will complement your new smile. Splurge on that bold lipstick you were eyeing up at Sephora, head to the barbershop for a fresh haircut or relax with a facial at a spa.
8. Make the Most of Your Free Time
With your braces off, you’ll notice how much quicker and easier your oral hygiene routine is. No more floss threaders and cleaning around brackets! Claim those few minutes you’re saving and intentionally put them towards something you love to do, at least for the first several weeks after getting your braces off. For example, if your daily oral care routine is five minutes quicker, spend those newly regained five minutes drawing, reading, playing outside or working on your TikTok moves.
9. Laugh!
If you felt self-conscious about laughing and smiling before braces, celebrate by doing both with confidence. Watch a new comedy special or go to a comedy show and don’t hold back!
Are You Ready to Celebrate Your Smile?
If you haven’t started orthodontic treatment yet, schedule a complimentary consultation with our Papillion, NE orthodontist. Dr. Hawley will create a personalized braces or Invisalign treatment plan to help you achieve a smile you’ll want to celebrate.
