When you visit your dentist regularly, he or she will take impressions of your teeth and gums to make sure they stay in the best possible condition. If you wear braces to straighten out teeth that are crooked, your dentist will likely recommend wearing a teeth retainer to keep those teeth straight after your braces are removed. What exactly are retainers, and why do dentists want you to wear them? If you’re wondering about these questions, don’t worry! We’ve put together this guide on what retainers are and why you should wear them!
Do I Really Need A Retainer?
Sure, your orthodontist would like you to wear a retainer after you finish treatment. But are retainers really necessary? The short answer is: it depends. There are three general categories of people who may need to wear retainers after their teeth have been straightened by an orthodontist: younger patients, older patients and athletes. Teens often don’t get great results from their orthodontic treatment and need extra help in getting their teeth straight or preventing them from shifting back into place. Older patients benefit because, as we age, our muscles and bones become less pliable and it becomes harder for us to keep our teeth properly aligned without some sort of assistive device.
How Long Do I Have To Wear A Retainer For?
When we talk about retainer wearing time, there are two factors that affect how long you should wear it. The first is how severe your case is. More severe cases will require you to wear retainers for longer periods of time. If your teeth are very crowded, your dentist may recommend that you wear a retainer during all waking hours. If your case isn’t as severe, you might only need to wear one at night and possibly part of day time as well. At some point, once your orthodontic treatment has been completed, you will still be able to continue wearing retainers on an as-needed basis or for specific tasks like playing sports.
Different Types Of Tooth Retainers And Their Functionality
Let’s face it. No one wants to kiss someone who smells bad, or worse, has bad breath. But what happens when you’re wearing a mouth guard for playing sports and there’s no way to brush your teeth in between games or practices? Bad breath is common when wearing a mouth guard because you can accidentally swallow some of your saliva while playing. If you wear braces or have undergone orthodontic treatment recently, it could also be due to dry mouth caused by too much time spent with brackets in your mouth and not enough salivary flow from irritated gums.
The Importance Of An Oral Hygiene Routine While Wearing A Retainer
Oral hygiene is important for anyone wearing a retainer, whether it’s during or after treatment. If you don’t care for your mouth properly, you can compromise your retainers and orthodontic treatments by causing more damage than good. When people don’t take proper care of their teeth, they are more likely to develop problems with tooth decay and gum disease. These issues can cause infections that affect dental work and prolong treatment time. To prevent these issues, it is best if you follow your dentist’s instructions on oral hygiene while wearing a retainer.
Brushing And Flossing Correctly When Wearing A Retainer
The best way to brush your teeth with a retainer is to do it at least twice daily, preferably after breakfast and before bed. Brush at an angle so that you are reaching each tooth and scraping away bacteria and food particles. Be sure to always use gentle pressure when brushing. It’s important not to press too hard; damage could occur due to unbalanced force on your teeth, which causes small cracks over time that grow into larger ones. Brushing in an upwards direction (away from gums) should help prevent small cracks from forming on your biting surfaces. Make sure you have enough water for good flow in your mouth as well as good coverage for all of your teeth retainer and gums during brushing and flossing, then remember: upward strokes!
Getting Rid Of Bad Breath When Wearing A Mouth Guard
One major problem people run into with mouth guards is bad breath. This is especially prevalent if you wear your retainer all day long, but even if you only wear it during sleep, it’s still possible for you to wake up with halitosis. One reason why you have bad breath in your mouth guard is due to food particles collecting in between your teeth and lining of your mouth. A good toothbrush and flossing routine can help combat that, but there’s also another solution—use interdental cleaners. Interdental cleaners are designed specifically for cleaning between teeth, which helps get rid of those pesky particles that cause oral odor.
Maintaining Good Oral Health While Wearing A Mouth Guard
It’s not just about protecting your teeth from injury during an athletic event. If you’re wearing a mouth guard to protect your teeth, don’t neglect your teeth’s overall health. Be sure to brush, floss and visit your dentist regularly in order to keep them healthy and strong. Maintaining proper oral hygiene can help prevent cavities and tooth decay—and it’s much easier when you aren’t wearing your mouth guard!
