For a child or an adult who went through several months or even a couple of years with braces, there’s one celebration that’s bigger than all the birthdays combined: the day the braces come off and that healthy, even smile is revealed! At last, the goal is achieved and the process is over.
After you complete treatment with your braces, you have to wear a retainer. The length of time required for this part of your treatment depends upon your mouth and teeth.
For example, you might have to wear it all day every day for six months, then only at night for a couple of years. Other people might require just a couple of weeks of continuous retainer wear before they transition to using it only while they sleep. However, it’s important to note that everyone who has braces will use a retainer for some length of time after the braces come off.
After wearing braces, it takes time for your bones to harden around the teeth in their new position. During this time, they’re at risk of shifting right back to their original positions. The retainer prevents them from doing this. Not wearing the retainer is like leaving a gate open, allowing your teeth to go wherever they’d like without stopping them.
Some teeth would take that opportunity to shift a lot and might even shift enough to require wearing braces again. Retainers are designed to avoid that outcome.
There are some additional reasons why you should follow Dr. Muench’s directions about your retainer:
When you first got braces, it took a few days to get used to the feel of them in your mouth. The same is true of a retainer. In fact, your speech might even be affected by the retainer during the first few days.
Stay patient and resist the urge to remove the device. You will adjust to the feeling and you’ll be able to speak normally again soon. Remember your ultimate goal is to maintain the straight, beautiful smile and better oral health for which you spent months in braces!
Here are a few more tips for living with your retainer:
When you got orthodontic treatment, you made an investment in yourself, so treat your retainer like part of that investment because it is! You spent time and money to correct the issues with your teeth that may have been putting you at greater risk of cavities or causing you difficulty when chewing or speaking. Your new smile is worth using your retainer as directed.
Dr. Muench of Muench Orthodontics has the education, experience and knowledge to provide the highest quality orthodontic care to you and your family. Contact us for a complimentary consultation online or call us at 607-258-3469. We can’t wait to help you achieve your best smile!