The movement of your teeth often occurs because the jawbone that should hold them in place breaks down and rebuilds gradually. The natural pressure of biting, chewing, swallowing, and speaking can cause your teeth to misalign. Therefore, often after wearing braces, your orthodontist will recommend retainers. Braces straighten teeth, while retainers Carmichael help keep them in their correct place. If you do not use retainers, the shifting of your teeth can cause malocclusion. Malocclusion, also known as misaligned teeth, may lead to oral function problems, swallowing difficulty, and speech impairment.
Consequently, below are a few things you should remember about retainers.
1. Types of retainers
Depending on your dental issue, your orthodontist may recommend fixed retainers or removable retainers. Other times you may have to use both types of retainers, with one attached to the upper teeth while another attached to the lower teeth.
Your dentist will require you to wear removable retainers full-time, from around five months to one year. However, you can take the retainers out of your mouth and return them after brushing your teeth or eating. Your orthodontist must monitor your removable retainers to detect any tooth movement.
Fixed or permanent retainers stay on your teeth for many years. You cannot remove these retainers before eating or brushing your teeth. Your orthodontic specialist will often attach fixed retainers in a spot they are not intrusive such as at the back of the teeth.
Since you cannot remove permanent retainers before eating, properly take care of your oral health to avoid gum diseases.
2. How long do retainers last
Since you need to maintain your straight smile, you may need to wear retainers indefinitely. But your orthodontic specialist will tell you how long you need to wear your retainers.
Avoid failing to wear your retainers even for a few days, contrary to your orthodontist’s instructions. Failing to wear them for a long time may lead to gradual misalignment of the teeth.
Generally, removable retainers will last from 5 to 10 years. But fixed retainers last longer, up to 20 years.
Often, how long your retainers last will depend on the type of retainers, how you take care of your oral health, the amount of stress you subject them to, and the dentist’s precision during fitting. It is possible that your fixed retainers last several years, while in another person, they last only a few months.
3. Care for retainers
Keeping your retainers in top condition ensures they can last longer and be much more effective in safeguarding your teeth from misalignment. That can considerably reduce the duration you wear your retainers.
If you wear removable retainers, always keep them in a plastic case while eating or brushing your teeth. Also, do not expose your removable retainers to heat that can cause them to deform or bend, compromising their function.
Moreover, do not let your pets come into contact with your retainers. Pets can bite and damage retainers.
Strictly adhere to the instructions from your orthodontist to keep removable and permanent retainers clean.
Contact Gaiduchik Orthodontics today to schedule an appointment with a specialist in retainers hertube.