How long do braces have to stay on after teeth are straight?

Once your teeth are in the proper position, your orthodontic braces should not be removed immediately. This waiting period gives your teeth time to set in their place since it takes roughly a year for all gum tissues to become completely firm. Orthodontists may recommend that patients wait up to six months to remove their braces after the teeth are appropriately straightened and adjusted. Wearing a retainer can help with this slightly, but it cannot provide the precise guidance needed for each tooth to stay straight.

When your teeth move back to misaligned positions due to early braces removal, you risk having to spend extra money on more braces, getting cavities from crowded teeth, or having trouble chewing due to a misaligned bite.