How to Keep a Straight Smile After Braces

After your time wearing braces, you’ll probably jump for joy the day you get to take them off. You may also rejoice about never having to worry about crooked teeth again. While you certainly should celebrate the end of your orthodontic treatment, we do have to offer a bit of a reality check here. The hardest part is over, but there are still some things you should keep in mind to make sure you maintain that straight smile you worked so hard for.

Teeth Move Over Time

The fact of the matter is, teeth are always shifting. As you grow older, it’s natural for your teeth to shift slightly. Maybe you’ve noticed how your parents or grandparents’ teeth don’t look the same as they did in old photos. Because of this gradual movement over time, it’s possible that your smile will look different later on in life.

The Power of Your Retainer

The best way to keep your teeth in their perfect positions after braces is to wear the retainer after your treatment. At the beginning, you may be directed to wear this all the time then tapering to only at night. That retainer is specifically designed to make sure your teeth stay in place. If you happen to forget to put in your retainer one day, you may notice how it already feels different or tighter the next time you remember to put it in. That just shows how much our teeth like to shift when they can! Sadly, there are patients who decide they didn’t feel like wearing their retainer and now they’re getting another round of orthodontic treatment to correct the movement.

Reach Out to Our Team!

Have you lost or broken your retainer and need a replacement ASAP? Or do you have other questions about life during or after braces? Please contact Meason Orthodontics in Weatherford, TX! We’re here to help you enjoy life from behind a healthy, perfectly straight smile.

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Categorised in: Orthodontic Tips