Post-Braces Care: Wear your dental retainer!

Once orthodontic treatment has been completed, the use of a dental retainer is a very crucial part of the routine maintenance of your teeth and will go a long way toward keeping the same great bite and smile that the braces have developed over the years. Retainers are often manufactured by the dentist who performed the installation of your braces and oversaw your treatment. Most patients underestimate the importance of wearing their retainers after their braces come off but it is one of the most important post-braces care habits to keep your teeth in perfect alignment.

What is a retainer?

A retainer keeps teeth from reverting back to the places in which they started before braces were applied. There are various types of retainers, some removable and some permanent. Some retainers are made of metal and plastic and others are all made of metal or all plastic. Some can even be permanently fixed to the back of your teeth.

How long do you wear retainers?

If you’ve just gotten your retainers, you might be wondering how long you need to wear it. It takes time for the gum tissues and bones around your mouth to reorganize and set into place after orthodontic treatment with braces. The period of time you’ll need to wear retainer will depend on your unique situation, but usually, retainers are worn as long as the period you wore your braces. Consult your dentist and ask him for a treatment plan that is suitable for you.

Consider a Professional Whitening

Because brushing and flossing with braces is so difficult, stains are usually unavoidable. Most people get excited for their perfect, straight teeth for the first time after removing their braces, only to be disappointed by yellow or stained teeth. If you’re getting your braces removed soon, talk to your dentist about your teeth whitening options. In-office whitening is the quickest way to get rid of stains. It is the perfect way to treat your teeth after your braces come off.