If you have been wearing braces, you may be really looking forward to the day that they come off. While your teeth may be free of the braces, that doesn't mean that they are completely free from future correction. In fact, there is some serious aftercare that you'll have to keep up with, if you're going to keep those straight teeth looking their best even after the braces come off. Here are some tips for the post-brace-removal period:
Moving From Braces To Retainer
Once your braces are removed, you'll be given a retainer that you'll need to wear on a regular basis afterward. While the braces are great for straightening your teeth, the retainer is the key to keeping them that way.
Your teeth and gums are in a constant state of shifting. As a result, once your braces come off, your teeth may actually shift a bit in position. That's why the retainer is so important -- it will help to prevent your teeth from shifting back into their original position after the braces come off.
Adjusting To The Retainer
When you first get the retainer, you'll have to be prepared for an adjustment period. You may find that your mouth naturally produces a bit more saliva in response to something new being in your mouth; this will fade as you adjust to its use.
In addition, you might go through a speech adjustment. Much like you would have experienced when your braces were put on, you may find it difficult to speak with the retainer in your mouth. It will take some conscious effort and practice to learn how to speak clearly with the retainer in place.
Maintaining The Retainer
One of the basics of retainer maintenance is to keep it clean. You should remove it from your mouth when you're getting ready to eat, and then clean it thoroughly before you put it back in place. This will help you avoid any bacteria buildup on the device.
In addition, the retainer should always be placed in its storage container when you don't have it in your mouth. That means carrying it with you anywhere you go, because you'll have to take it out any time you eat and sometimes busy schedules result in unpredictable meal times.
These are a few of the key things you should know about the transition from braces to retainers. Your orthodontist can help you with any other follow-up care that you may have to attend to. You can talk with your orthodontic specialist about any questions you might have.
Share19 November 2018
After dealing with a few root canals, I realized that it was time to take my dental hygiene a more seriously. I talked with my dentist about what I could do differently, and he was full of great suggestions that would help. He walked me through different ways to brush, floss, and take care of tartar buildup, and it was really amazing to see the difference that it made. I also started taking a fluoride supplement to strengthen my enamel. When I made it to my next appointment, my dentist was blown away with the improvement. This blog is all about improving your dental appointments by keeping your teeth healthier.
