After a long treatment with an orthodontist in Kapolei, you want your kid’s straight teeth to stay that way. To ensure this, getting retainers is key. These tools keep t teeth in place, fighting against their natural movement to prevent relapse and help your kids maintain their new smile.
If your kid’s bite misalignment is only slight, dental professionals may also use retainers to improve their bite, move one or two teeth, or help them speak more clearly. Still, after a year or two with braces, they’re probably tired of always having something on their teeth. So, why are retainers so important, and what benefits do they have to offer?
What Are Retainers and What Are They Necessary?
A retainer is a custom-made appliance intended to maintain the new position of a patient’s teeth after an orthodontic treatment.
Permanent or fixed retainers are lingual wires that are glued or bonded to the back surface of your teeth. Meanwhile, removable retainers are clear trays that you can take in and out yourself.
These may be comforting for patients fresh out of braces. Although removable retainers are simple to put in and take out as needed, kids still need to remember to use them as prescribed by the dentist and clean them on a regular basis.
Still, according to surveys, an increasing number of orthodontists are choosing permanent retainers, particularly for patients who struggle to follow these instructions for removable ones.
Generally speaking, permanent retainers are used for lower teeth, and removable retainers are used for upper teeth. Your dentist will design the best course of action when it comes to retainers for your child, though.
If the permanent retainer irritates their gums or teeth, or if excessive plaque or tartar accumulation occurs on the teeth surrounding it, your dentist or orthodontist may decide to remove them.
Why Do Teeth Move After an Orthodontic Treatment?
Since bones are living tissue, they alter throughout our lives, even when we are unable to see them. There are several reasons why teeth may move:
- The way your jaw changes in shape as you age;
- Pressure from eating and talking;
- Potential health problems, like gum disease or teeth grinding.
Moreover, teeth have memory. Even after you’ve had orthodontic work, your teeth will progressively move back to their natural positions if they aren’t kept in place. And in children, whose bones are still developing, this shift can be even more notorious and fast.
That’s why keeping them still with retainers is crucial to maintaining their new smile.
Other Reasons Why You May Need Retainers
As we mentioned, retainers are crucial for relapse prevention. This occurs when orthodontic treatment is successful, but the patient’s teeth either fully or partially revert to their original misaligned positions afterward.
Retainer wear can help avoid relapses and maintain the results you have achieved with braces or aligners. But what other benefits do retainers have to offer?
Stability
Retainers can stabilize teeth and gums and gradually reposition them. The teeth’ stability ensures the surrounding tissues’ ability to adapt and support the new alignment.
Better Oral Health
Having straight teeth improves oral health. This is because it is simpler to floss, brush, and clean in between teeth.
Your kid will find it easier to maintain their oral health because wearing retainers keeps their teeth straight.
Does Everyone Have to Wear Retainers?
If your child’s teeth were significantly misaligned prior to orthodontic treatment, a minor relapse is typical. Usually, there is no need to worry about this since a small relapse will not have an impact on overall appearance or function. However, it’s important to pay attention to prevent them from shifting too much.
Relapse should not happen if there was only a slight misalignment prior to treatment.
How Long Should They Wear Retainers?
Orthodontists usually advise wearing retainers every night for the rest of your life. Every individual may differ slightly, though. Some people may be able to keep their straight teeth by wearing retainers every other night.
By doing this, relapse or the teeth moving back into their original positions are avoided.
Cleaning Your Removable Retainers
Maintaining your retainers will help them last longer and stop plaque and bacteria from accumulating, which can lead to bad breath and other dental issues.
When cleaning removable retainers, you can follow these steps:
- Take the retainer out and give it a quick rinse under running water to get rid of any loose particles.
- Scrub the retainer gently with water using a toothbrush with soft bristles.
- Let it air dry before putting it back in its case.
You may also soak the retainer in a cleaning tablet. To prevent damage to the retainer, do not use hot water; instead, adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Cleaning Permanent Retainers (and Teeth!)
You might believe that maintaining a permanent retainer is simpler because kids still need to brush their teeth every day!
Still, they need to be mindful and move the bristles of the toothbrush in and out of all the spaces between their teeth to ensure that no part is missed. Particular attention needs to be paid to the areas behind the wire or close to the bonded material.
When wearing permanent retainers, flossing can be extremely difficult.
- Use a 6-inch length of floss and a floss threader to shimmy the floss between two of the front bottom teeth.
- Once the floss is in between the teeth, move it gently back and forth along the tooth’s surface from the top to the gum line. Don’t use excessive force to avoid cutting or hurting their gums.
- After they are done with one set of teeth, slide the floss to the next set by moving it back up to the top of the teeth.
Get Retainers From an Orthodontist in Kapolei
Retainers are orthodontic devices used to maintain the position of teeth after orthodontic treatment. They must regularly wear the retainers so that their teeth don’t shift to their original misaligned position.
Different kinds of retainers are available for different needs and preferences. Always consult a dental professional to ensure that the retainers you buy suit them. Here at Kidshine Pediatric Dentistry, we’re well-equipped to help you and your family, so reach out!