Braces treatment can transform your smile and improve your oral health. While your orthodontic treatment may be over, it’s important to take good care of your teeth to ensure your results last. This includes a healthy daily oral care routine and regularly wearing your retainer. Below you will find the importance of retainers after braces so that you can make sure your results last.
Importance of Retainers After Braces
The end of your orthodontic treatment can be an exciting time! All of your hard work has paid off and you now have a million-dollar smile. However, it is important to take steps to ensure your results last. An important part of your post-orthodontic treatment involves the use of a retainer. A retainer is an orthodontic tool intended to keep your teeth in alignment after your orthodontic treatment. It’s molded and designed specifically for you so it should fit perfectly into your mouth.
It is important to use your retainer as recommended by your orthodontist as orthodontic treatment does not guarantee that your results will last. This is because your teeth tend to move back into their original position if left on their own. Wearing your retainer helps keep your teeth aligned and in place for the long haul.
Retainer Timeline
Getting used to wearing your retainer is important after your treatment. Each patient is different so it’s helpful to talk with your orthodontist in Los Angeles about when and how often you should wear your retainer.
Most orthodontic professionals recommend wearing your retainer as much as possible for the first four to six months post-treatment. After that, you’ll likely just need to wear your retainer at night. This is an important factor in keeping your teeth in place after braces as long-term use is necessary to prevent your teeth from going back into their original position.
Caring for Your Retainer
It is important to wear your retainer for the prescribed amount of time. However, you also need to clean and care for your orthodontic retainers in Los Angeles as dirty retainers can cause a number of harmful dental issues. Bacteria can accumulate in your mouth and on your retainer. This can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and even tooth loss if not addressed.
There are different types of retainers, including bonded and removable retainers. The most common retainers are the ones that can be removed. Both bonded and removable retainers need to be cleaned. This requires that you not only perform your daily oral care routine, but also clean your retainer.
Bonded Retainers:
Bonded retainers are not removable. Cleaning a bonded retainer is similar to how you may have cleaned your teeth and gums if you had traditional braces. Your orthodontist can work with you on how to clean your bonded retainer and what products are right for your specific retainer.
Removable Retainers:
Removable retainers are a little easier to clean. You can clean them when you do your daily oral care routine. You should clean your retainer at least once a day and rinse it every time you consume anything outside of plain water. Whenever your retainer is not in your mouth it should be in a protective case to keep it clean and free from harmful bacteria. Clean the protective case regularly and be sure it is always dry when you put your retainer in it.
Orthodontic Treatment in Los Angeles
If you are considering orthodontic treatment, contact the team at Nikaeen Orthodontics. Dr. Nikaeen is the top orthodontist in Los Angeles and has helped countless patients restore and maintain their smile. Contact her office today to schedule a consultation!
