Wearing a retainer will benefit you in the long run by keeping your teeth straight and in their place after they have been corrected with braces. If you don’t wear your retainer, you could end up right back where you started - with crooked, misaligned teeth. Keep your smile looking beautiful by following the recommendations for proper usage of your retainer from your Fort McMurray dental centre.
Retainers are not just required for patients that have had their braces removed but may also be used to fix other dental concerns like teeth grinding. These orthodontic devices can even be used for non-restorative reasons like protecting your oral cavity from damage when playing sports.
Are new retainers supposed to be tight?
Your new retainer might feel tight at first because it is an appliance placed in your mouth that you are not used to. It might also feel tight because your Fort McMurray dental centre just adjusted it. After wearing your retainer for a few days, it should feel less constricting.
Have you left your retainer out of your mouth for a few hours?
If you took your removable retainer out of your mouth to eat or drink for a few hours, it could feel tight when putting it back in again. As long as your retainer is not causing you pain and fitting in your mouth properly then you should be fine to wear it. Your teeth might have shifted a little causing your retainer to feel a bit tighter than usual.
What do you do when your retainer doesn’t seem to fit back in your mouth or is causing you pain?
Call your Fort McMurray dental centre to see if you need a Fort Mac Emergency dentist to treat you. It is always best to be safe rather than sorry if there is something wrong with your orthodontic device. Your dentist will determine the cause of the pain and offer corrective treatment to you.
What types of retainers are there?
- Removable: A removable retainer is usually used to keep your teeth in their place after braces are removed. It can be taken out to drink and eat. Removable retainers may also be used during sports play to protect your teeth and gums.
- Permanent: A permanent retainer is often used if you experience issues like grinding your teeth.
Will you need to wear your retainer for the rest of your life?
Yes, retainers, no matter the dental reason they are given to you, will need to be worn for the rest of your life. You may be permitted by your Fort McMurray dental centre to only wear your retainer at night if there is little chance of your teeth shifting. Your retainer continues to help you for the rest of your life.
Do you need to clean your retainer?
Yes, just like you would clean your gums and teeth, you need to clean your retainer. A retainer can get plaque and tartar build up on it just as your teeth do from the natural bacteria in your mouth. Keeping your retainer clean is essential to maintaining good oral health. A dirty retainer can cause your mouth to smell or make you ill from germs inside your oral cavity.
A retainer really does protect your oral cavity from all sorts of issues. Take care of your retainer, and you will be taking care of your teeth and gums in return.
