Why Retainers Are Important After Braces?

Braces are a great way to get your teeth into shape! But what happens after the braces come off? How do you maintain your straight and beautiful teeth? The answer is simple; retainers. Retainers play a crucial role in ensuring your straightened teeth stay in shape after getting them straightened with braces. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the importance of retainers and why you should wear them consistently. We’ll explore how retainers help keep your smile perfect even after the braces come off, as well as some tips on wearing and maintaining your retainer. Let’s get started!

What Are Retainers?

Retainers are dental appliances that are worn after braces to help keep your teeth in their new, corrected position. They are usually made of clear plastic and wire and fit snugly over your teeth. Retainers can be removable or fixed (bonded to your teeth), and your orthodontist will recommend the type that is best for you.

Wearing a retainer as directed is an essential part of maintaining your new smile. Without a retainer, your teeth may gradually shift back toward their original positions. Even if your smile looks excellent after braces, it’s essential to wear a retainer as directed to prevent re-aligning of the teeth.

How Do Retainers Work?

Retainers are essential after braces because they help keep your teeth in their new, straight position. They do this by holding your teeth in place while the bones and gums around them heal. Retainers are usually made of clear plastic and wire and fit snugly over your teeth. You will need to wear them all the time for the first few months, then only at night for as long as your orthodontist recommends.

Why Are Retainers Necessary After Braces?

While orthodontists design braces to give you the smile you’ve always wanted, not wearing a retainer afterward can cause some problems. Here are some of the reasons why retainers are necessary after braces:

Keeps Your Teeth in Their New, Corrected Position: Once the orthodontist removes your braces after one year, your teeth will tend to return to their original position. Wearing a retainer helps to keep your teeth in their new, corrected position.

Prevents Relapsing: Relapsing is when your teeth start to move back toward their original position. This can happen because of the changes in the shape of your mouth and jaw as you grow older. Orthodontic treatment might take up to three years in some countries. In India, patients can expect their orthodontic treatment to last no longer than a year. The use of retainers is a solution that may prove to be advantageous in preventing any relapsing.

Helps with Speech Problems: If you don’t wear a retainer after getting braces, you may start to speak differently because of the changes in the way your teeth meet. Wearing a retainer helps with speech problems.

Read to know: How to fix the long-term impacts of crossbites?

Makes Space for the Emergence of the Third Molar: Orthodontists typically use braces on adolescents because their facial structures are still evolving. As a rule, this indicates that their third molars have yet to erupt. After orthodontic treatment, you must wear a retainer regularly to prevent your teeth from shifting out of place.

Improve Chewing Function: Braces can affect more than just your teeth alignment; they can also affect the soft tissues and bone that surround your teeth. Dentists use retainers to ensure that the tissues and bones stay in their new positions once the braces are removed. This helps in the long run by reducing the tremors that can occur when chewing tough foods and stabilizing the bite.

Reduces the Risk of Cavities and Gum Disease: When your teeth are in their original position, it’s easier for bacteria to get into hard-to-reach areas and cause cavities and gum disease. Wearing a retainer helps reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease.

How To Care For Your Retainer?

Assuming you have a removable retainer, there are some easy tips to follow to make sure it stays clean and lasts as long as possible. First, brush your teeth and then brush your retainer with toothpaste. Be sure to get all the nooks and crannies. You can also soak your retainer in denture cleaner or retainer cleaning tablets overnight once a week. When you’re not wearing your retainer, store it in the case provided. And never wrap your retainer in a napkin when you’re eating because you might accidentally throw it away!

Also Read: How to Prevent Staining Your Dental Veneers?

Conclusion

All in all, retainers are an essential part of any orthodontic treatment. They help to ensure that your teeth stay in the correct position once you have had braces and prevent them from shifting back into their original positions over time. Remember to wear your retainer regularly and as instructed by your orthodontist to get the best results when it comes to maintaining a healthy smile. With regular cleaning and proper maintenance, your retainer should last for years, giving you a perfect smile for years to come!

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