Well, you have made a significant investment of time and money in your orthodontic treatment, and the final step in achieving this perfect smile involves the use of retainers. Retainers play an important role in maintaining the results of orthodontic work preventing your teeth from shifting back to their actual positions. As you have gone through a lot with your orthodontic treatment, it is essential to maintain it so to ensure the longevity and effectiveness of your retainer. It is quite necessary to follow a comprehensive routine and, in this guide, we will explore how you can do it easily.
Importance of Retainers
Before we dive into the maintenance tips of retainers, you must understand why retainers are vital to your orthodontic treatment. Once braces or Invisalign have moved your teeth to the desired positions, the bone and tissues surrounding the teeth need time to stabilize. Retainers help these new positions by preventing your teeth from returning to the positions from where they were shifted.
Here are the different types of retainers with different maintenance needs:
Orthodontic professionals typically provide you one of the three types of retainers – removable, fixed, or a combination of both. Each type requires specific care to ensure the effectiveness.
Removable retainers – These retainers are similar to aligners, they are made of soft, food-grade plastic or acrylic and can be quickly taken in and out of the mouth. Proper maintenance is also crucial to avoid bacterial growth and keep the retainer in good condition.
To maintain the removable retainer, you should use soft toothbrush and mild soap. Always avoid using hot water, as it can distort the shape of your retainers.
Fixed retainers – Fixed retainers, aka permanent or bonded retainers, are attached to the back of the teeth. These retainers are the most convenient because they are always in place. however, they require specific care to prevent issues like plaque buildup.
Brush your teeth thoroughly, and pay extra attention to the area around the fixed retainer. You can make use of floss threaders or interdental brushes to clean between the bonded wires.
Combination retainers – Some individuals may use a combination of removable and fixed retainers. In such cases, following maintenance routines for both types is crucial to ensure comprehensive care.
To maintain a combination type retainer, you must adhere to the cleaning guidelines for removable retainers. Always pay special attention to your oral hygiene and do not let bad bacteria thrive in your mouth.
Reach out to orthodontics in Naperville to learn more. Your orthodontic experts will explain you everything in detail about the orthodontic treatment. Come to us and we will help you.
Michael Bay is the author of this Article. To know more about Orthodontics Naperville please visit the website.
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