Learn More About Retention
learn more about retention and how it can help you achieve a great smile. Follow this info to learn about retention and how retainers work. What most people think when their braces are off, is that the orthodontic treatment is complete. But, this is not entirely the case, as straightening your teeth is usually half the journey. The other half requires you to maintain the teeth in that shape and position. This brings in the need for dental retainers.
While it might be pretty simple for grown-ups to wear retainers, ensuring kids are always in retainers is quite a task. Since your dental formula is one of the most crucial things that define one’s first appearance, you should be cautious about the persons who handle your dental issues. Always seek experienced professionals to guarantee you the best healthcare services.
Having treated numerous clients with retention and retainers for over 36 years at Harmony Orthodontics, we believe that maintaining your new and healthy smile is through wearing retainers. Also, the patient will be required to follow the appropriate practices with respect to retainer maintenance and oral health. Depending on your previous treatment, you can be prescribed a lower or upper retainer. These retainers will ensure your teeth remain in the newly acquired and ideal position, thus creating a beautiful smile. If you want to learn more about retention or retainers, be sure to book an appointment with Harmony Orthodontics.
What Are Retainers?
Retainers include pieces of metal or plastic customized for each patient according to their needs. Usually, retainers cannot be the same since each is made to match the alignment of your teeth and the shape of your mouth.
There Are Two Main Types Of Retainers:
Removable Retainers
These include retainers that can be worn and taken out daily by the patient. Primarily, removable retainers can be clear, including transparent trays made from plastic-like material or made from plastic and wire.
Fixed Retainers
These include retainers made from a thin and custom-fitted wire. It is bonded to the inner side of your upper or lower teeth.
Why Should You Wear Dental Retainers?
Retainers are essential for both adults and children after braces come off. They help the bone around the teeth rebuild and stabilize after the teeth have moved. Retainers also keep your newly straightened teeth in place, maintaining the results of orthodontic treatment.
In some cases, an orthodontist might recommend a retainer to close a gap between two teeth or to move a single tooth, making braces unnecessary—especially for children.
Retainers can also be helpful for kids who have tongue thrust, a condition where the tongue pushes through the teeth when speaking. In these cases, a special retainer can be used to prevent the tongue from moving forward. Additionally, retainers can help children with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) caused by teeth grinding (bruxism). They can prevent the jaws from coming into contact during sleep, reducing teeth grinding.
Tips to Foster Your Child’s Habit of Wearing Retainers
While it can be pretty uncomfortable to wear retainers, especially for children, you can follow a few tips to encourage them to wear them, and learn more about retention. They include:
- Reward your kid for wearing the retainers, especially in the first few weeks.
- Customize the retainer with your child’s favorite cartoon character.
- Always remind your kid of wearing the retainers and their importance
How Do You Care for Your Retainers?
You should wear your retainers all the time, except when eating or brushing your teeth. Retainers are fragile and can be expensive to replace, so at Harmony Orthodontics, we provide a special case to keep them safe. Make it a habit to store your retainers in their case whenever they aren’t in your mouth to avoid losing or damaging them. Also, remember to wear your retainers when playing sports that require a mouthguard.
Cleaning your retainers is simple—just brush them with regular toothpaste and rinse with cold water. Keeping your retainers clean is important to prevent food buildup, which can cause damage or affect your oral health.
Contact Us
At Harmony Orthodontics, we are committed to providing the highest quality care and helping you achieve the best possible results. If you want to learn more about retention, or orthodontic treatment, we’re always here to help. Feel free to reach out through our website or call any of our three offices.
We look forward to helping you smile confidently!