Smile Straight After Braces

Regardless of what you’ve probably heard, braces are not in any way a bad thing. Not to criticize, but most movies associate dental treatment with nerds and geeks, which doesn’t have to be. Dental braces don’t magically make you weird or uncool; in contrast, they help to correct crowded or crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw—all these to give you the straightest smile you can have.

 There are many braces types, but none of them last forever. This is because braces treatment is a temporary endeavor. The issue then lies with what comes after because, once the orthodontic appliances—and thus their corrective pressure—is taken off the teeth, they may start to shift. 

 This is bad, as shifting tends to ruin that perfect smile you’ve worked so hard for. 

 Hence, it becomes hugely important for you to be aware of taking care of your newly straightened teeth to retain that perfect smile. Most of the information would be covered when you visit Ballard Orthodontics for your initial consultation for braces treatment, but there are still some tips that you might be interested in.

 And they all start with your retainer.

 

WHY IS WEARING MY RETAINERS SO IMPORTANT AFTER ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT?

 It’s best to treat dental braces sort of like an investment in yourself. And an excellent way to make your investment last longer is by wearing your retainer religiously.

 Retainers are essential because they actively work to keep your teeth from shifting—which is what you want post braces treatment when the teeth still incline to glide back into their previous crooked or crowded positions. 

 Generally, you’ll be issued the retainer post-treatment in Ballard Orthodontics after impressions of your teeth are taken, and the device is constructed in the lab.

 Retainers can be a bit uncomfortable, so a wearing schedule is pivotal. Most orthodontists would recommend a nightly regimen while you sleep; in this way, you’ll be completely free of the metal over the day and still ensure that your new smile stays perfectly intact.

 

WHAT ARE SOME TIPS THAT CAN HELP WITH MAKING THE BEST OUT OF MY RETAINERS?

 As a result of their importance, there are a dozen tips that would be immensely useful to taking care of your retainers and maximizing their benefits. Fortunately, most of these tricks would be addressed after your braces are taken out at Ballard Orthodontics. 

 Still, here are some hints to keep close to your heart:

 

 1.      Retainers are investments too.

In the same way, braces are investments in your smile, so too are retainers in maintaining such a smile. And like every investment, they must be treated with care.

 The right thing you can do for your retainers is treating them like your actual teeth. This entails always ensuring that your retainers are kept clean and protected. It should be kept in its case out of sunlight so it won't get damaged or warped.

 

2.      Keep to your wear schedule.

It's perfectly alright for different people to have extra time frames recommended to them for wearing their retainers. The key is to stick to it. Depending on the specific situation, the orthodontists may ask the patient to wear their retainers full time for about six months before switching to a nightly basis. Others may find their case not as severe and, as such, only wear them at night from the start.

 Either of these is perfect as long as you remain consistent with it. It's vital to find out what works for you at the onset and adapt your wearing schedule to it.   

 

3.      Medical level sterility

Keeping your retainer clean is vital as it may routinely trap food and other debris left in your mouth. Generally, simply running the device under lukewarm water and gently scrubbing with a toothbrush is enough to remove the debris that accumulates there. In that case, however, soaking your retainer in cleaning solutions once every few days or brushing with antibacterial soap at least once daily is best to eliminate any straggling dirt.

Oral hygiene is also paramount in keeping your retainer clean, as there's no point in washing the device to return it to a dirty mouth. In this way, it's just good practice to always brush your teeth before putting your retainer in—really, it's best to brush your teeth always, okay? Even after the retainers come off.

  

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO TO HELP RETAIN MY SMILE AFTER BRACES TREATMENT?

 

1.      MAINTAIN GOOD ORAL HYGIENE

Good dental hygiene is indisputable even if your smile isn't on the line. After all the hassle of your orthodontic treatments with braces and then with the retainers, you're probably used to this. You have to maintain the standard.

It isn't wise slipping up at the last mile!

 

 

2.      GO FOR REGULAR CHECK-UPS

Regular dental check-ups are a must-do, especially after a long treatment like braces treatment. It'll suck royally after all, if after all your hard work, your oral hygiene declines and costs you your new smile.

Thus, it's advisable to see your dentist at least once every six months for general maintenance and ensure your teeth haven't shifted.

 

3.      CARE FOR SENSITIVE TEETH

It's pretty standard for your teeth to go into a bit of a shock in the initial period of your braces being removed—somewhat similar to what you experienced when put on initially. 

This should be no cause for alarm. The shock can lead to temporary sensitivity in the teeth in some patients, making them seem brittle. For this, sensitive toothpaste can do wonders in reducing the shock, as can avoiding hard or crunchy food while the sensation lasts to keep your smile perfect.

 

ORTHODONTIC TREATMENTS AT BALLARD ORTHODONTICS 

Ballard Orthodontics aims to give the very best in dental treatments to provide value for our clients. 

With a combination of years of practice and the latest orthodontic techniques, our team is distinctly equipped to ensure everything happening in your mouth is fitting as it’s supposed to be—all to help beautiful smiles shine through.