You’ve just finished your orthodontic treatment. Congratulations! We’re sure you can’t wait to show off your new smile, snack with abandon, and be free of wires and brackets. There’s one catch: there are a few precautions you’ll need to take to ensure that your straight smile stays in place. Wearing a retainer, taking care of your teeth, and paying attention to what your smile is telling you will help you maintain your results for many years to come. Read on to learn more about post-orthodontic care.
Why Do Teeth Shift After Braces?
Some patients are unhappy wearing retainers after orthodontic treatment. They thought they were finished with appliances once the braces were off. But maintaining straight teeth is actually a lifelong endeavor. It’s unfortunate but true. Your teeth want to return to their original positions and will fight to do so.
Braces use pressure to shift your teeth into new positions. Once they are no longer in place, there’s no reason for teeth to remain where they are. Depending on the patient’s occlusion, teeth are more or less likely to remain in their new positions. But if there’s space left in the bite for teeth to shift, shift they shall. Luckily, those of us hoping to keep our smiles intact have options.
How to Keep Teeth Straight
Wear Retainers
After getting your braces off, it’s time to adapt to a new routine. Dr. Thomas will instruct you as to when and how you should wear an upper retainer, lower retainer, or both. After an initial period of more frequent wear, you’ll be able to wear these retainers at nighttime only. Doing so will keep your teeth in place and your smile straight. Clean your retainers carefully and daily to keep them in great shape. Wearing occlusal guards can have a similar effect while protecting your teeth from grinding. Talk to your orthodontist about your smile-retaining options.
Take Excellent Care of Your Teeth
The biggest cause of tooth shift is tooth loss. When an adult loses a tooth, the surrounding teeth drift into the space that has been left behind. This wreaks havoc on the smile and leaves patients with uncomfortable, imperfect bites. This level of tooth shift can even cause a TMJ disorder.
What does taking care of your teeth have to do with tooth loss? It’s the simplest way to protect your teeth and keep them firmly anchored in your jaw. Preventing periodontal disease and cavities with careful brushing and flossing is the wisest way for you to preserve your teeth and your smile.
Watch for Shifting Teeth
You need to act as the first defense against dental problems. When it seems like something could be wrong, call your dentist or orthodontist to schedule a check-up. Shifting teeth are a sign of a problem, and one that should be dealt with right away. Keep an eye on your smile and react when you see it change. Taking charge before your smile deteriorates will lessen the damage.
If you follow these tips, your smile will remain just as you want it to be: straight, bright, and beautiful. We’re always available to offer support and advice. Have your teeth shifted radically after orthodontic treatment? We’d like to see you right away and evaluate your occlusal situation. Get in touch with Thomas Orthodontics to schedule an appointment.
