The Reality of Retainers

You've done it! You got your braces off and have been given your retainers. Now it is up to you to keep your smile beautiful.

The fact is that throughout your lifetime, even if you have had orthodontic treatment, you can expect that your teeth will shift. The changes in tooth position are not a failure of your orthodontic treatment but a natural process of life. But you have the power to control and limit these changes by wearing your retainers as instructed.

Your orthodontist will give you instructions on how your retainers should be worn. Most likely, at the beginning, you will be asked to wear them all the time unless you are eating or brushing. After a short time, you will be instructed to wear them at nighttime only. And you should wear them indefinitely. Yes, that means the rest of your life! Although the movement may only be slight, your teeth will not stay perfectly straight unless you wear your retainers.

But why do they move you ask? Well...there are various forces that cause the teeth to shift. This  includes wear of the teeth from chewing, new fillings and crowns, and changes in the bones and muscles of your face as you age. These changes are sometimes only slight and happen very gradually. The retainer can minimize the effects of these forces by holding the teeth in their current position.

You have done the hard part...this part is easy! Take care of your retainers and your retainers will take care of you! Remember, a retainer will not straighten your teeth. It will only maintain the current position of your teeth. So if you lose your retainer or it gets broken, be sure to get it replaced as soon as possible.

Which Toothbrush Do I Choose?

Choosing the right toothbrush is no easy task! There are seemingly hundreds to choose from. And when you have braces, it makes the choice that much harder. Since brushing is the single most important thing you can do to maintain healthy teeth and gums, choosing the right toothbrush is very important.

Here are some important factors to consider when choosing a toothbrush...

• Purchase a brush with soft bristles. The soft bristles help remove the plaque better without damaging the enamel or injuring the gums.
• Make sure the toothbrush is not too large. A smaller brush head will make it easier to get into the smaller spaces between the teeth and around your braces.
• It is important to replace your toothbrush about every 3 months. And if you are wearing braces, you may need to replace it even sooner. Worn bristles become less effective at removing the plaque from your teeth.
• Consider purchasing an electric toothbrush.

While it is possible to do an adequate job brushing using a manual toothbrush, for someone who is wearing braces, the use of an electric toothbrush definitely has it's advantages. Because the electric brush moves itself, more focus can be placed on how the brush is angled, allowing the patient to do a better job. There is also a tendency to not brush as hard, so there is less injury to the gums and less gum recession. Patients are often more motivated to use an electric toothbrush; it makes brushing a little more fun!

For our patients at DiCiccio Orthodontics, we highly recommend the Phillips Sonicare toothbrush. This toothbrush has been clinically proven to remove plaque from the teeth and braces much better than a regular toothbrush. The sonic technology creates a unique brushing action which drives fluid between the teeth, along the gumline and around the braces to clean more effectively. Another great advantage is that the Sonicare has a 2 minute timer to help ensure that you are brushing for the proper length of time.

The Braun Oral-B toothbrush is another popular electric toothbrush that gets good reviews. The motion of the Oral-B is different from that of the Sonicare. The Oral-B has an oscillatory motion, while the Sonicare has a vibrating movement. Both toothbrushes perform well, however for someone with braces, in our opinion, the Sonicare would be the toothbrush of choice.

Get a Gold Medal Smile

What kid doesn't want to be an Olympic star? Not only can these athletes inspire our kids to "go for the gold" but this year they will be inspiring them to "Get a Gold Medal Smile". February is National Children's Dental Health Month. What better time to give your kids a refresher course on what it takes to keep their smile healthy and beautiful!

Good oral hygiene is important during all fazes of life but never more important than when your child is wearing braces! At DiCiccio Orthodontics, we put a HUGE emphasis on healthy teeth and gums. Our patients earn double the points for getting a "good grade" on their oral hygiene, not to mention the points they earn for seeing their general dentist for regular check-ups.

So just what does it take to keep a smile healthy and beautiful? If you are wearing or have worn braces, you have accomplished the first step! Straight teeth not only look great and make you feel proud of yourself, they are also much easier to keep clean. If your teeth are in proper alignment, food is generally directed away from the gum line and it is much easier to brush all the surfaces of your teeth.

If you haven't worn braces, that is a great place to start! Our office would be happy to schedule a complimentary consultation to get the ball rolling. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child be seen by an orthodontic specialist by the age of 7. There are many developments things that the specialist can see. You will then be guided to the proper timing of treatment for your child. Keep in mind, you do not have to be referred by a general dentist to take this very important step.

Here are some other things that you can do to get that "Gold Medal Smile" and keep it that way.

• Brush twice a day
• Clean between your teeth daily
• Visit your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings
• Wear a mouthguard when playing sports
• Stay away from sugary, carbonated beverages
• Chew sugarless gum
• Limit your snacks and eat healthy foods
• Make sure your child has an evaluation by an orthodontic specialist by age 7

It's really NOT that difficult to "Get a Gold Medal Smile" but it does take some discipline and a little bit of work each day. It is not that much different than "going for the gold" I guess!  And it is definitely worth the effort!