You will not have to wear your braces for the rest of your life, although sometimes, it may feel that way! At some point, the orthodontists will remove your braces, but don’t reach for your phone to take a selfie just yet. You aren’t quite done.
Your braces do the job of moving your teeth and the ligaments of your jaw into their new positions. However, once they are there, they need to stay there. One of our orthodontists, Drs. Tyler Jolley, Elliot Jolley and Zachary Pitcher will fit you for a retainer to make sure your teeth settle in properly. There are two basic types of retainers, fixed and removable. A fixed retainer is cemented behind your teeth and cannot be removed except by the orthodontists. A fixed retainer can be removed for things such as eating and playing sports. There is no set length of time for wearing your retainer since everyone’s mouth is different. You may need to wear yours for several months, or every night for life, but you need to wear your retainer for as long as the orthodontists directs.
Cleaning your retainer is easy. All you need to do is to scrub it gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a solution of vinegar and water. You need to keep your retainer safe when you are not wearing it. The orthodontists will give you a container, and you should get in the habit of keeping it in your pocket, backpack, purse or briefcase. Don’t wrap it in a napkin when you eat since it may be accidentally thrown out, and it is a favorite chew toy for pets, so don’t leave it lying around, they are expensive to replace!
If you are thinking about getting braces or have questions about your retainer in Delta, Colorado our office will be happy to help. If you would like to make an appointment at Jolley Smiles Orthodontics Delta, call 970-874-0456 today and we’ll be happy to see you.