What to Do Once Your Braces Are Off. And How to Keep Them Straight
Finally, the time has come! After months and months, you are finally able to take your braces off. We know how exciting that can be, but what happens after that? Will your teeth stay straight? Well...not exactly. Unfortunately, your teeth shift all the time. And after all the hard work and expense of getting braces, the last thing you want to do is let your teeth become crooked. Luckily, there are easy ways to keep your smile straight for a lifetime.
For the most part, your orthodontist will give you a retainer to wear once your braces are off. They will evaluate you for a pair and determine the best way for you to wear them according to your lifestyle.
Regularly Wear Your Retainer
The easiest way to keep your teeth from shifting is to wear your retainer regularly. There are usually three types of retainers to choose from to fit your lifestyle: clear tray retainers, plastic & wire retainers, and permanent bonded ones. Your orthodontist will discuss with you which one is best for you. For plastic retainers, it should be worn at all times, except when you are eating or brushing your teeth. For removable retainers, you will wear them all the time at first and keep it in. Over time, your orthodontist may then cut this back to just wearing your retainer at night.
What to Do if Your Teeth Start Moving
If you notice that your teeth have started shifting even while wearing retainers, please contact your orthodontist. There are a variety of reasons why your teeth are shifting. One could be because of your wisdom teeth. If your wisdom teeth have come in after wearing braces, this can cause the teeth to shift together. If this is the case, removing your wisdom teeth is crucial and must be taken out as soon as possible.
Another reason could be that your retainer doesn't fit properly. This may be because you didn’t wear your retainer long enough and your teeth have shifted little by little, or because it somehow became bent or damaged. Going to your orthodontists regularly will help prevent your retainer from getting damaged. If your retainer does break, bend, or get damaged, please see your orthodontist immediately.
Taking Care of Your Teeth
Another reason why your teeth are shifting is because of tooth decay. If you have tooth decay, the decay can eat away at your teeth and cause them to be damaged, which can change the shape of the tooth. By regularly checking up with your dentist, they will be able to tell if you are suffering from tooth decay or not. They will also ensure that you are in good oral health and help you prevent any damage to your teeth in the future.
Overall, it is important to check in with both your dentist and orthodontist every 6 months. At Choice Orthodontics, we are always checking in with our patients to ensure that our patient’s goals and health are in good standing. Once your braces are off after 6 months, we will inspect your retainer and make any changes that are necessary.
If you notice that your teeth are shifting, please contact us for any questions or concerns you have and make an appointment. We are ready to help you with anything necessary, and are equipped to handle retainer care.