Is it almost time for your braces to come off? Congratulations! However, even though you’ll be ready to show off those perfect pearly whites, removing your braces isn’t the last step of your orthodontic treatment. You’ll still need to wear a retainer for a while (or perhaps forever) if you want to keep your teeth from drifting out of position. Neglecting to follow through on this final stage of your treatment could mean that you find yourself with a mouthful of crooked teeth again in a few years! Here’s what you need to know about your retainer and how to take care of it to keep your beautifully straightened smile for life!
Retainers: Just As Important As Braces
Have you considered how teeth are moved during orthodontic treatment? After all, the roots of your teeth are anchored into your jawbone to hold them firmly in place. When braces or other orthodontics place constant pressure on your teeth, the bone tissue around the roots of your teeth changes shape to adapt. That’s why orthodontic treatment is so gradual—moving teeth too quickly could permanently damage your jawbone or fracture the roots of your teeth. Once your teeth are in their ideal positions, the jawbone will still need to continue healing around the roots to hold them there.
Wearing a retainer will ensure that your pearly whites stay aligned as the bone tissue around their roots hardens. However, even after the jawbone is fully healed, some patients will need to continue wearing a retainer for the rest of their life. Just like the rest of your body, your mouth is constantly moving and changing—it’s just too gradual for you to see. Wearing a retainer as instructed by your orthodontist is an easy way to make sure the results you worked so hard to achieve last a lifetime.
How to Care for Your Retainer
Once you have your retainer, here are a few important tips for taking care of it to keep in mind:
- Keep it clean: Plaque and bacteria buildup on your retainer can increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease, so you should clean or soak it every day.
- Use the right tools: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a cleaner approved by your orthodontist. If you have a permanent retainer, make sure to use a pre-threaded flosser to floss under the wire. NEVER put your retainer in the dishwasher, microwave, or boiling water, or else it may warp!
- Keep a retainer case with you: It’s all too easy to lose a retainer if you take it out and leave it somewhere. Instead, always keep a carrying case with you and use it every time you take your retainer out.
- Follow your orthodontist’s instructions: Typically, you’ll wear your retainer all the time for the first week or so, and then every night following. Sometimes, a patient may be able to start wearing their retainer three or four nights a week, but don’t make this decision yourself! Only your orthodontist can tell how often you need to wear your retainer in order to protect your smile.
You’ve worked hard to complete your orthodontic treatment, so don’t let it go to waste! Make sure to wear your retainer as instructed by your orthodontist to enjoy your beautiful, healthy smile for life.
About the Practice
At Simply Orthodontics, our highly experienced team is dedicated to helping patients in Dayville and the surrounding communities achieve a straighter smile and maintain it for life. That’s why we offer a variety of personalized orthodontics like retainers, Carriere appliances, tongue cribs, and many more. What’s more, our talented team will be with you every step of the way on your journey towards a straighter smile to make sure it goes as smoothly as possible. To learn more about braces and retainers, we can be contacted online or at (860) 774-2008.