Post-braces orthodontic appointment

Now that you have the braces removed, you have a straight, beautiful smile that you think you no longer need the assistance of orthodontists. This is where you’re wrong. You’ll need regular visits to your orthodontist to keep your teeth and smile from looking great.

Regular Follow-ups are Essential

When your braces have come off, it is important to visit your orthodontist. This makes sure that your teeth are properly straightened, the retainers fit properly, and they can detect any issues which can cause a lot of problems in the future.

Don’t Forget to Wear Your Retainer

When the braces have been removed, your teeth are weak and prone to shifting out of place. This is a significant problem that can occur to the majority of patients. Therefore, you need to wear retainers to make sure it stays where it needs to be. Your orthodontist will provide different types for retainers and the instructions you need to wear them properly, and what times they need to be worn. In the first few months, you’ll need to wear it for as many times as it is needed. After that, you’ll be instructed to wear it only at night. Make sure to follow these instructions or you’ll end up with a crooked teeth again.

Read about parts of braces

What to Expect During Post-Braces Orthodontic Appointment

This type of appointment will be quick and easy; but it is essential to point out any vital complications that may arise when these are removed. With kid’s braces, expect that orthodontists will provide thorough instructions on how to help your child be familiar with the treatment. The sooner the problem is recognized, the easier it will be to fix it. If for example, you have a poorly fitted retainer, it could relapse and would not be able to get back the target alignment.

Read  Foods and drinks to avoid with braces.

This means that:

• Braces will have to be placed again for bite alignment.

• A new set of retainers have to be made, costing you more money.

• Your teeth won’t be in the desired position.

The post-treatment orthodontic visits will depend on the orthodontist. Expect a follow-up appointment every 5 weeks, three months, six months or twelve months.

Learn 6 Ways To Get Your Braces Off Faster

How to Keep Your Smile Straight For Life

To ensure your treatment lasts a lifetime, you need to do your part to keep it straight. If you stop wearing retainers, your teeth might become misaligned again. Help maintain a straight smile by doing the following:

Wear the retainers as it is prescribed Your teeth will no longer have the support to keep it straight therefore when there are still spaces in the jaw, it is likely to shift. The retainer will keep your teeth straight.

Make sure to clean your retainers daily to keep them in excellent shape. Keep your retainers clean every day. Keep it in a safe place when not in use. Remember that a broken or lost retainers can be expensive to replace.

If you are constantly grinding your teeth while sleeping, you should consider wearing mouth guards at night. Mouth guards will keep your enamels protected and keep the teeth unaffected by your teeth grinding.

If something seems off, it is important to contact your orthodontist as soon as you can.

Further read: What to do if brackets break off

Source: All about orthodontics. American Association of Orthodontists