retainersAfter you go through all of the time, effort and expense of wearing braces, the last thing that you want is for your teeth to shift once your braces come off. Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of Virginia wants to avoid this as well. Thankfully, there are some things you can do to prevent your teeth from shifting after your braces come off.

Wear Your Retainer Regularly

The easiest way to stop your teeth from shifting after you get your braces off is to wear your retainer. As soon as your braces come off, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and have retainers custom made for your new smile.

Your regular retainers will either be fixed or removable. If your retainers are fixed in your mouth, then you won’t have to worry about remembering to wear them because they are always there. You will  wear your removable retainer all of the time at first, but it is up to you to remember to keep it in. After your orthodontist is sure that your retainer fits properly and is doing it’s job, he may then cut this back to just wearing your retainer at night.

Take Action If You Notice Your Teeth Are Moving

If you notice that your teeth are moving, it is important that you take action right away. Your teeth may be shifting for a variety of reasons, even if you are trying to wear your retainer as you should. If your wisdom teeth come in after your braces have been removed, this can cause your teeth to shift closer together. The best way to stop this from happening is to have your wisdom teeth examined and possibly removed following the recommendations of your general dentist.

Another reason for teeth shifting  is that your retainer no longer fits properly. This may be because you didn’t wear it enough and your teeth shifted little by little, or because it somehow became bent or damaged. If you have a permanent retainer, it is important to make sure that the wire is still in place and none of the bonds have come off of your teeth because this can also cause your teeth to move out of alignment. Making an appointment with us to have your retainer fixed or replaced is a great way to ensure that your teeth don’t move any further.

Take Care Of Your Teeth

If you don’t take proper care of your teeth, they are at risk of decay. Tooth decay can damage the surface of your teeth and if it’s not treated, will eventually damage the roots. If the shape of your tooth changes due to decay, the rest of your teeth may shift around it. By having  regular checkups with your dentist, you help ensure that your teeth remain in good health, thus reducing the risk of your teeth shifting due to damage or decay.

Visiting your orthodontist regularly the first 6 months after getting your braces off and  every year or so after that, can help to ensure your smile is staying as great as the day your braces came off. They will also inspect your retainer at this time and make any necessary changes.

Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of Virginia is always available to provide information about retainer wear and care to our patients.  Contact us at 804-739-0963 for an appointment.