The day you get your braces removed is bound to be an exciting one! Not only do you get to admire your newly straightened teeth, but you also get to enjoy speaking and eating without brackets in your mouth. This is definitely the end of an era, but for most patients, it is also the beginning of a new era – the era of wearing a retainer.
The transition from braces to orthodontic retainers doesn’t have to be challenging or burdensome. In fact, there are a few great ways to ease the transition.
Wear It As Often As Recommended
How long or how often you need to wear your retainer will depend on your own jaw structure, tooth alignment, age, and a variety of other factors. Some patients need to wear their retainers all day for a year. Others only need to wear them overnight for a few months.
Your orthodontist will give you specific instructions as to how often and how long you need to wear your retainer. What’s most important is that you follow them. If you skip wearing your retainer too often, or if you stop wearing it prematurely, your teeth may shift, undoing some of the results you achieved with braces.
Consider Your Options: Bonded Versus Clear Plastic
When people hear the word “retainer,” they usually imagine a clear, plastic dental device that they remove daily. However, there is another type of retainer: a bonded retainer. This type of retainer is fixed to your teeth and left in place, often for several months.
In some cases, one type of retainer is definitely a better option than the other. For example, if your teeth are very likely to shift back into their old positions, your orthodontist may recommend a bonded retainer for best results. In other cases, your orthodontist may tell you that either type of retainer could work well – and give you a choice.
If your orthodontist does give you a choice between retainer types, be sure to consider your personal tendencies before choosing a retainer type. If you think you may forget to wear your retainer as instructed, a bonded retainer may be the best choice. Or, if you are someone who has a lot of self-control and discipline, you may prefer a removable retainer that gives you more control over your approach.
Get The Right Tools
It will be easier to wear your retainer as instructed if you have the right tools to do it. For example, if you have a fixed retainer, make sure you buy a floss threader. This will allow you to floss around your retainer, keeping your teeth clean. Also make sure you have a proper retainer case to store your retainer when you’re not wearing it. Grab an extra case while you’re at it. You need to have a backup!
Your orthodontist can also recommend a soaking solution that you can use to clean a removable retainer. Use it as instructed to keep your retainer, and your teeth, clean and hygienic.
Set Reminders
If you do have a removable retainer, you’ll need to remember to remove it on-schedule. It can take a while to get into this new habit, but setting reminders in your phone can really help. Or, if you prefer a less tech-driven approach, you can put sticky notes on your mirror that remind you to remove or insert your retainer.
Keep It Clean
If you have a removable retainer, make sure you keep it clean. Not only should you soak it as your orthodontist suggests, but you should also use a toothbrush to clean it. A soft-bristled brush will do the best job without damaging the retainer. Use it along with a mild toothpaste. Most people find they get the best results if they clean their retainer at the same time that they brush their teeth.
Keeping your retainer clean will make it much more pleasant to wear. You won’t experience any icky tastes when you insert it again. Plus, this practice is good for your oral health as it helps keep decay-causing bacteria under control.
Having your braces removed is exciting, but this is also a big time of transition. As you adapt to wearing a retainer, keep the advice above in mind. Don’t hesitate to contact Dream Orthodontics if you’re looking for a new orthodontist in South Surrey. We offer easy, same-day appointments, and we treat patients of all ages.