How Can I Keep My Perfect Straight Teeth After Braces?
Posted on 3/6/2023 by All About Orthodontics
Now that your teeth are exactly the way you want them, you want them to stay that way. The last thing you want to do is return to wearing braces. How do you keep your teeth perfectly straight no matter how many years have gone by? Here are some pointers for keeping those perfect teeth for life.
About that Retainer
One of the most important ways you can keep your teeth straight and perfect is to wear your retainer every night. There are two types of retainers- fixed and removable. If your retainer is fixed, your dentist has cemented it close to the roof or floor of your mouth, so it is not removable. Removable retainers are just that- you wear the retainers at night, and you remove them in the morning.
Caring for Your Retainers
Whether your retainer is removable or fixed, you need to practice good oral care. If your retainer is fixed, you need to make sure you brush it and floss underneath it each day. If your retainer is removable, you can clean the retainer each morning when you remove it. Be sure that you don't use abrasive toothpaste and that you use a soft toothbrush to clean your retainer. There are also retainer soaks you can buy to soak your retainer in as well. Your retainer needs to dry before you enclose it in a case.
If your retainer has cracks or breaks in it, be sure and tell the dentist. Retainers with cracks or breaks can damage your mouth, so you will want to get it repaired or replaced.
Your Checkups
You need to continue your twice-yearly checkups with the dentist. That way, you'll be able to keep your teeth in great shape. Also, if there are problems with your bite or one of your teeth, the dentist can spot it quickly and fix the problem. With proper care and yearly checkups, you can keep your teeth straight for years to come.
Now that your teeth are exactly the way you want them, you want them to stay that way. The last thing you want to do is return to wearing braces. How do you keep your teeth perfectly straight no matter how many years have gone by? Here are some pointers for keeping those perfect teeth for life.