Does Every South Houston Braces Patient Need to Use Retainers?

Retainers are an effective way to maintain your new and improved smile after getting South Houston braces. Many patients ask if they’re required to wear retainers after their orthodontic treatment. The answer is yes. Whether the patient is a child or adult, retainers are an essential part to getting your ideal set of teeth.

Why Do I Need Retainers After Braces?

After your South Houston braces are removed, your teeth have not yet fully set in. Your gums and ligaments that hold your teeth together are still tender for months and even years after braces. This means that your teeth could easily realign and go back to their old position before braces. To prevent your teeth from moving, retainers are a necessity. If you don’t wear retainers, you could lose the beautiful new smile that you waited so long for.

How Long Should I Wear Retainers?

The length of time you should wear your retainers is usually relative to how long you wore South Houston braces for. In other words, patients who wore braces longer may need to wear retainers longer than others with short treatments. Your South Houston dentist will determine how long to wear your retainers. This can last anywhere between 4 months to 2 years—or even more in serious cases. 

What Are the Types of Retainers?

There are two types of retainers for your orthodontic treatment. The first type is the permanent or fixed retainer, which is a thin wire installed in the back of your teeth. As the name suggests, this type of retainer cannot be removed by the patient. The other type is a removable retainer made of clear, molded plastic. Your dentist may require you to come in for regular visits to adjust your removable retainer. The advantage of it is that you can take it off when eating and taking pictures,

How to Care for My Retainers?

Since retainers are inside your mouth at all times, bacteria and plaque can build up on them. Retainer care is important for your oral health. Just like brushing your teeth, you must clean your retainers twice a day. Take out your retainers and rinse them with warm water. Use liquid soap and a brush or cloth to clean all the nooks and corners of your retainers before rinsing them. Be careful not to eat anything too hard or sticky when wearing your retainers so that you don’t damage them.

Schedule a Visit for South Houston Braces Today

Looking for a dental clinic where you can get quality South Houston braces treatment? At Centra Dental, we embrace your smiles. Our top-rated dentist performs all vital services, such as teeth cleaning, fillings, and crowns. We have a clean and safe facility where we sanitize all our equipment thoroughly. Surgically clean air circulates our clinic the entire time. Why Centra Dental? We strive to give you the best dental experience possible. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!