When braces come off:
Having your braces removed is a reason to smile! Immediately after braces, your teeth will feel ‘slimy’ while you adjust to not having any brackets stuck onto your teeth. Your braces will have kept the teeth in place and once removed there is potential for them to migrate back into their previous position or move out of place. To avoid this, retainers are custom made for your teeth to keep them in the correct position.
Immediate retainers should be worn throughout the day and only taken off during meals for as long as the dental practitioner recommends (generally up to one year). After this period, if no movement has occurred your dentist may recommend wearing the retainer only at night, indefinitely.
Types of retainers:
There are two main types of retainers – removable and fixed. Removable retainers can be taken out of the mouth. Fixed retainers usually take the form of a wire which are cemented onto the back of the front six teeth (sometimes both on top and bottom). These can be kept in place for many years. Fixed retainers should be monitored on a regular basis as occasionally they snap or break and should be replaced.
Retainer care:
Retainers - both fixed and removable - should be reviewed at 6 monthly dental checkups by the dentist.
Removable retainers should be cleaned with water and a soft toothbrush every morning – without the use of any toothpaste, which can scratch the plastic or metal surfaces.
Fixed retainers can collect plaque in the mouth and it is important that teeth are professionally cleaned to avoid gum disease and inflammation as well as bleeding. Flossing is possible in between the wire, but a special floss and technique will need to be shown to you as it isn’t always easy!
For further information regarding the care and review of retainers, please contact our friendly staff at Concord Dental Practice.
http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/early-ort...
