Retain That Perfect Smile

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Heather K. Burch Orthodontics
 

You’ve just gotten your braces removed and it’s time to celebrate!

Now that the braces have come of, the retainer has to go on. We can’t stress this enough...if you don’t wear your retainer as prescribed, your teeth are going to move out of alignment and back into their original, crooked places.

Why is wearing a retainer so important?

Your teeth aren't set rigidly into your jawbone like you might think. They are held in place by bands of fibrous tissue called the periodontal ligaments. After your teeth have been moved into their ideal position by your braces and/or other orthodontic appliances, it takes time for the periodontal ligaments to adjust. When you’re not wearing your retainer, pressure from your lips and tongue can cause your teeth to shift. Even if your teeth and smile don’t look like they have moved, that doesn’t mean they haven’t. If you go without wearing your retainer for long periods of time, your teeth will continue to move until misalignment is visibly noticeable, and that crooked smile you thought was a thing of the past is back again. 

Your retainer should be worn at all times except when eating, brushing your teeth, or participating in contact sports. If you have any questions about the retention phrase of your orthodontic treatment, please don't hesitate to contact our Tallahassee office. A member of our friendly and knowledge team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

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