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Your orthodontic treatment is not yet over just because your braces are off. While straightening your teeth is the goal of your treatment, keeping them straight can be a battle. In such instances, only a retainer can help. Are you searching for a dental expert to help recommend a retainer in Flushing? If so, the orthodontist team at House of Braces can be helpful. Dental retainers can either be permanent or fixed. The type of appliance your dentist might suggest will depend on various factors, including the severity of your dental problem.
How Do Retainers Work?
Teeth retainers are custom-made dental devices with wires or plastic used to hold your teeth in place for a particular duration after orthodontic treatment. Though your pearly whites may take approximately six months to take their new position permanently, your dentist might also advise you to wear a retainer for life, though only at night. Besides correcting your overbites and underbites to enhance your smile’s appearance, retainers also rectify speech impairment by aligning the shapes of your jaws and mouth, allowing you to enunciate words.
Retainers need discipline. You will need to use them as your dentist suggests to prevent your teeth from misaligning again. In case of a misalignment, the medical professional may ask you to wear braces or suggest surgical treatment to correct the issue.
Does Wearing a Retainer Hurt?
Different people have different reactions to retainers. You may feel mild pain, especially the first few days of wearing the dental device. However, the pain you might feel will depend on the severity of the dental issue you are dealing with. Though some patients might feel minor discomfort, the fitting process is painless. Nonetheless, you might experience pressure and soreness as your mouth adjusts to the new shape. Report to your dentist for correction if the device rubs against your gums, causing them to bleed or cause you pain.
How Do You Clean Your Retainer?
Clean retainers are vital for oral health. Your dentist will advise you to clean your retainer regularly to prevent food particles from accumulating in the appliance. To clean your retainer, soak it for several minutes in warm water, then use a soft toothbrush to eliminate bacteria build-up and other debris. Your orthodontist may also recommend using cotton swabs to clean the hard-to-reach areas.
In case you break your retainer, contact your dentist for a replacement. Since removable retainers may take a long time to replace, your dentist will advise you to have a spare set of retainers for dental emergencies.
What Are the Types of Retainers You Are Likely to Have?
Retainers are either removable or fixed. Your dentist will recommend fixed retainers when you do not need braces or a follow-up procedure after your treatment. Though it is hard to lose them or for others to identify them, they are hard to clean. On the other hand, the easy-to-customize removable retainers are visible but less noticeable, unlike traditional braces. Additionally, you can easily adjust them to a comfortable fit.
Retainers are effective in aligning your teeth, especially after you are through with braces. Schedule an appointment with your orthodontist to know how the dental appliances work to enhance your smile.
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