Maintaining Your Orthodontic Results: Top Tips

30th Oct 2024

Maintaining Your Orthodontic Results: Top Tips

Congratulations! After months or even years of effort, you’ve completed your Invisalign treatment. Based on the predictability of this teeth-straightening technique, we’re sure you’re thrilled with your new, straight smile. 

However, your orthodontic journey doesn’t end there. Maintaining the hard-won results of your treatment is crucial for ensuring your teeth stay aligned for years to come. 

So what happens next? You’ll need to wear a retainer. Before you embark on this final stage of your journey, it’s natural to have questions. 

In this article, we’ll explore essential tips and strategies to help you preserve your picture-perfect smile long-term.

The Importance of Wearing Retainers

The single most important step in maintaining your orthodontic results is wearing your retainers as directed by your dentist. Retainers are custom-made devices that hold your teeth in their new, corrected positions after your active treatment. 

Without retainers, your teeth may naturally shift back to their original positions. This is because the periodontal ligaments and bone around your teeth need time to stabilise and “remember” the new alignment. 

Wearing your retainers as prescribed, often full-time for the first few months and then nightly after that, prevents this relapse and keeps your smile looking its best.

Retainers come in several different forms, including removable clear plastic trays similar to your Invisalign aligners and fixed wire retainers bonded to the back of your teeth. We’ll determine which type best suits your needs and provide detailed instructions on when and how to wear them.

Developing Good Retainer Habits

Forming consistent retainer-wearing habits is key to long-term success. Here are some tips to help you stay on track:

1. Make it a Routine: Set aside a specific time each day to put in your retainers, such as right before bed. This helps cement the habit.
2. Set Reminders: Use your phone’s calendar or set an alarm to alert you when it’s time to wear your retainers. This can be especially helpful in the early months until wearing them becomes habitual. 
3. Keep Them Clean: Just like your Invisalign aligners, your retainer can trap bacteria close to your teeth. Brush your retainers with a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear, unscented soap each time you wear them. This prevents bacteria buildup and odours.
4. Store Them Properly: When not in use, keep your retainers in their case to protect them from damage, heat, and pets. Safe storage also keeps your aligner clean. Avoid leaving them out on countertops.
5. Replace When Needed: Most retainers need to be replaced every few years. Be sure to discuss replacement timing with us and replace it whenever needed. 

Maintaining Good Oral Hygiene

Excellent oral hygiene is crucial for keeping your teeth healthy and your orthodontic results intact. 

You will need to maintain a strict schedule and brush twice a day. In addition, floss daily and use any other recommended tools, like interdental brushes. 

Poor oral hygiene can lead to dental issues like tooth decay, gum disease, and staining, which could jeopardise your beautiful, newly straightened smile. 

Make sure you’re using the proper brushing technique, which involves gently brushing at a 45-degree angle to your gums using short, circular strokes. Flossing once a day helps remove plaque and food particles from between teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach.

Stay on top of regular professional cleanings and exams as well. Our dentists and dental hygienists can identify and treat any emerging problems before they threaten your smile. We may also recommend additional products like fluoride treatments or antimicrobial rinses to fortify oral health.

Avoiding Habits That Threaten Alignment

Certain behaviours and habits can gradually shift your teeth out of alignment over time. Steer clear of these potential threats:

Teeth Grinding

Also known as bruxism, this habit can wear down and misalign your teeth. It’s often worse at night when you’re unaware of it. If you experience this, talk to us about getting a custom nightguard to protect your teeth.

Nail Biting

This seemingly harmless habit can put pressure on your teeth and cause them to shift. Try to break the urge to bite your nails by keeping them trimmed short.

Chewing on Hard Objects

Avoid chewing on pens, pencils, ice cubes, and other hard items that could crack or move your teeth. Stick to softer foods when possible. You should also avoid using your teeth as tools. Opening packages or performing other similar tasks with your teeth could harm your smile.  

Playing Contact Sports

Wear a mouthguard during sporting activities where there’s a risk of physical impact. This will help protect your smile from potential injury.

Dealing with Dental Emergencies

Despite your best efforts, accidents and dental emergencies can sometimes occur. If you sustain an injury to your mouth or a retainer breaks, contact us immediately. Prompt attention can help prevent any unwanted shifting of your teeth.

We may need to examine the damage and make any necessary repairs or adjustments to your retainers. They may also recommend a temporary solution, like a simple wire retainer, to hold your teeth in place until a replacement is ready.

Ignoring a broken or lost retainer can quickly undo all the progress you made during your Invisalign treatment. That’s why it’s so important to act quickly in these situations.

Be Proactive About Dental Care

Regular dental visits are crucial for maintaining your orthodontic results. Cleanings, exams, and any necessary restorative work will help keep your smile healthy and beautiful for years to come.

Talk openly with us about any problems affecting you. This allows us to monitor your teeth closely and address any potential issues before they become more significant problems. For example, we may need to adjust the fit of your retainers or recommend additional interventions to prevent relapse.

We may also advise when you can discontinue full-time retainer wear and transition to a more flexible nighttime-only schedule. This step-down process is important for solidifying your results long-term.

Celebrate Your Smile With AbbeyHouse Dental

Completing orthodontic treatment is a major accomplishment, so take pride in your new, straight smile. With retainer wear and good oral hygiene habits, you can enjoy the beautiful results of your Invisalign journey for a lifetime. 

Remember, we’re always here to support you every step of the way. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. Our team can provide personalised advice and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.

Contact us today to schedule your next appointment.