After you have straightened your teeth using braces, you are going to need to wear a retainer. Retention is a critical part of any orthodontics treatment because this is the tool we use to hold your teeth in place. Consider how far your teeth have come from the position they started at, to where they are after wearing braces. Naturally, some teeth will try to revert back to their original position, and this is where a retainer comes in. Wearing one, it will hold your teeth in their final position even after we remove the braces.
It is common for our patients to ask questions about their retainer and how to care for it.
The amount of time you will need to wear a retainer depends on your teeth. We typically recommend wearing a retainer 24/7 and taking it out only to eat and brush teeth for the first several months to a year. We will give you specific instructions when taking your braces off since this is different for everyone. Afterward, you will need to wear your retainer at night only for at least the next year. Again, we will provide you with specific instructions based on your teeth.
If you are wearing your retainer every night, you also need to rinse or brush it every morning. Saliva from your mouth will build up on your retainer, and this can lead to smells and stains. Using your normal toothbrush and toothpaste should suffice. However, if it begins to appear stained or you really want to get a good clean, you can buy ultrasonic cleaners and immersion tubs. These are frequently used by people who wear dentures or retainers to achieve a greater level of clean than what you would experience by brushing alone.
After wearing braces, many people are used to the idea of having something bonded in place. Permanent retainers are secured to the back of the teeth using a wire and dental cement. While they are convenient, they also pose a certain health risk. It is incredibly difficult to clean the area around a permanent retainer and in order to floss, you have to use a special dental tool. Anyone that does not keep up with this extra step may experience gum disease later on. For this reason, you should carefully discuss this solution before deciding that you want to try it.
Your teeth could be moving out of their position naturally or because of a tongue thrust. When you go to put your retainer back in, it may no longer fit appropriately, causing you pain and discomfort. While this can be natural, it could also be a sign of a problem. We recommend that you visit our McKinney office so we can examine you and determine if any adjustments need to be made to your retainer.
Professional dental cleaning has several preventative and corrective benefits. Dentists use these periodic checkups to monitor the oral health of their patients. They also use the opportunity to correct small dental problems.Most importantly, dentists use routine dental visits to promote and foster good oral habits in their patients. These are just a few of the…
A gummy smile shows more gum tissue than expected. If you consider your smile a bit too gummy, a cosmetic dentist can provide various treatments to help achieve the look you want. A cosmetic dentist can help patients safely alter the appearance of a gummy smile and other issues with various cosmetic treatments.Dentists refer to…
An experienced cosmetic dentist can provide dental veneers to help you regain your smile. The custom-fit shells can improve your looks. Each one can even provide support for your teeth. Here are the questions to ask your cosmetic dentist to find out if getting veneers will be a good decision for you.These thin shells go…
If you have not undergone a dental cleaning in over six months, it is time to go for a dental cleaning. Dental professionals recommend undergoing dental cleaning every six months to prevent oral issues such as tooth decay and gum disease. Due to your schedule, you might be concerned about how long the cleaning appointment…