How To Keep Your Smile Beautiful After Braces

Braces are a large investment when it comes to both time and money. We hear too many stories about people who had braces as a teenager, and years later, they find themselves back in the orthodontist’s chair because their teeth have moved back to where they were before braces. The good news is that with a little care and attention, you can avoid this. In this post, we’ll go over some simple things that you can do to keep your smile in perfect shape after braces come off.

Think about the last time somebody told you that their teeth moved back after having braces as a teen. Did they say it was because they didn’t wear their retainer? We knew it. This is the most common reason people don’t keep their smiles in line after braces, but it’s also the most simple step to keep your teeth straight. So, first and foremost, wear that retainer! Teeth are stubborn, and even after wearing braces for months or a year or more, they will try to move back to their previous position. The only way to prevent this is by wearing your retainer. Start wearing your retainer immediately after your braces come off and don’t stop wearing it, for best results.

Your orthodontist will likely have you wear your retainer 24/7 for several months once your orthodontist removes your braces. After about ten months or so, the periodontal membrane will stabilize, and you should be able to wear your retainer less frequently but talk to your dentist about their recommendations. To keep your retainers functioning like they should, brush the insides of the retainer after each meal with warm water, store your retainer in a cool place to prevent it from warping and not fitting your teeth properly and make sure you always store it in its case.

Now that you’ve got a new straight smile, you’re going to want to flash it around town. Sadly, things we all do daily, like drinking coffee, soda, and other dark liquids and foods can quickly take some of the dazzle out of our smiles. After dedicating your time and money to braces, what better way to reward yourself than with teeth whitening? You’ve earned it! Teeth whitening is a quick and affordable option to put the icing on the cake: your new, straight smile. Sometimes, we find that there are stains left behind when we get our braces off, whitening can erase these stains in no time and have you feeling more confident about your smile than ever.

Another way to keep your new smile radiant is by merely practicing dental hygiene basics: brushing your teeth, flossing your teeth, and seeing your dentist for regular checkups. When you visit your dentist regularly, they will check on the possible migration of your teeth. They can provide you with a solution to stop it before your teeth move back to their original position, and all of your time and money spent on braces has gone to waste.

After (finally) getting your braces off, you will feel more confident than ever, and you will love flashing your new, radiant smile. Just make sure to follow these simple steps in your daily dental routine to have that new smile staying straight and beautiful for years to come.