For many of us, growing adult teeth means growing a mouth full of crooked, unevenly spaced teeth. Even those with a strong foundation of good oral hygiene can’t guarantee their teeth will grow in perfectly aligned. This is when many people turn to braces to help correct and align their teeth into the beautiful smile they have always dreamed of. However, once the braces come off, keeping your teeth straight is extremely important and requires the use of a retainer. How long you must wear the retainer varies from patient to patient. Here is some useful information to help keep your smile looking its best.
As the Braces come off
Braces help correct a variety of issues from bad bites to crooked teeth. Having them come off after your main orthodontic treatment is through is an exciting event. Once your braces are removed, you will need to wear a custom-made retainer, designed to fit your mouth and keep your teeth in place. Because the retainer is removable, you may be tempted to avoid it as much as possible after getting your braces off to enjoy the freedom of natural teeth. However, the months just after your brace are removed are the most important time to wear your retainer. This will ensure that yourteeth settle into the proper places without undoing the work your braces did.
Usually you wear your retainer at night and in between meals to help your teeth keep shape, but as time goes on you may only wear your retainer at night. The benefit of wearing your retainer at night is that you will hardly notice it is on as you enjoy a good night’s sleep.
Type of Retainers
Retainers come in all shapes and sizes to accommodate all kinds of patients. There are two main classifications of retainers: removable and fixed. While removable retainers can be taken out to eat or brush your teeth, they should be worn around the clock for at least a year after your braces are removed. Everyone is different so check with us at Sequence Orthodontics to see how to wear your retainer for the best results. Fixed retainers are fixed to your teeth and not removable. They usually stay in place for several years but can be worn longer in some cases. Fixed retainers are helpful for patients with serious bite and spacing issues and can guarantee that their teeth settle correctly.
Retainer Care
Retainer care is incredibly important to the longevity of your retainer and your teeth health. Fixed retainers require regular checkups with your dentist to look for cavities and remove built up plaque and debris from the hardest-to-reach areas of your mouth. Fortunately, you can clean removable retainers simply by removing them and using specialized cleaning fluids to keep your retainer strong and clean.
For more information about your braces or retainer, please come see our experienced staff and Drs. Omid and Arash Rajaei at Sequence Orthodontics. Our offices are located in Waldorf and Leonardtown, MA. Contact us today!
