The Benefits of Using a Retainer After Braces

Once a person is finished wearing braces, it is time for them to start wearing a retainer. This is essential to make certain that all the benefits provided by braces are maintained for a lifetime. If someone not wear a retainer after

braces are removed, there is a very good chance their teeth will return to being misaligned or crooked once again. Studies have shown that the first month without braces are when the teeth are most vulnerable to returning to their old positions.

Fixed Retainers

This type of retainer is commonly a thin wire stretched across the back of a person's upper or lower front teeth. A fixed retainer is bonded in place with dental cement. It is similar to the bonding cement used on the brackets of some types of braces. Cleaning this type of retainer requires the use of a floss threader or another type of specialized cleaning device designed to access the space between the teeth. This is how some people wearing braces have to floss their teeth. This type of retainer does require more effort to clean the teeth when it is in place. It also provides the best outcome. The reason is that the bonded wires hold a patient's newly straightened teeth in place every minute of the day.

Removable Retainers

This type of retainer is also a combination of wires stretched across the upper or lower part of the front teeth. They are able to remain in place with a combination of hooks and acrylic material. These can be put around a patient's back of the teeth to hold the retainer in position. This type of retainer is easier to clean because it is removable. It is important to wear this for the time recommended by the orthodontist though. A patient may be asked to wear this type of retainer day and night for approximately 90 days. If a patient's teeth remain in place, they may be able to start wearing it for only a few hours during the day and night.

Retainer Purpose

The reason for a retainer is to make certain a patient's mouth and teeth maintain proper alignment after braces. The amount of time a retainer must be used after braces will be different for each patient. When braces are removed, the pressure created by a young person's growing body can create a situation where perfectly straight teeth will once again become misaligned. An experienced orthodontist will know the amount of time a retainer needs to be worn. The retainer is able to maintain straight teeth when natural shifting occurs in a patient's mouth. The movement of teeth after braces are removed occurs because of the elastic fibers located in a person's gums. They behave like rubber bands and pull teeth in various directions. A retainer will hold the teeth in place until the gums adapt to the new position.

Other Dental Conditions

There are certain dental conditions that can be corrected without the use of braces. In many of these situations, wearing retainers will be enough to remove gaps between teeth. It is possible when the gaps between teeth are closed, a person will still need to wear a retainer. Another condition that can be corrected with a retainer is a tongue thrust. This is a misalignment so serious a patient's tongue slips between their teeth when speaking. A retainer can also be used to help various bite problems as well as temporomandibular disorder (TMD). These people have a problem with the temporomandibular joint in their jaw. TMD can cause severe pain. It can affect one side of a person's face or both sides. It is a condition that can last for a short time or years.

The Top 10 Orthodontic Facts

Length of Time

The period of time a retainer should be worn is determined by individual situations. An orthodontist will be able to estimate the time required for a patient. It will be based on the bone and tissue surrounding the teeth and how they come into alignment. It is common to wear a retainer until the patient's bite has become stabilized. The first 30 days after the removal of braces is the time a patient is at the greatest risk for their teeth becoming out of alignment. If this happens, a patient's teeth could take at least twelve months to once again become aligned following treatment.

More Effective Chewing

Once braces are off, a retainer helps keep teeth straight and this leads to better chewing. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), teeth that are in alignment are easier to clean. This cuts down on the buildup of plaque, which leads to a decrease in the chance of developing cavities. When a person has straight teeth and the correct bite, they're able to chew their food better. The person who chew their food properly will get the most nutrients from the food they eat. Chewing food thoroughly will cause an increase in saliva production. When this happens, there are more digestive enzymes available to decrease plaque buildup and lower the chances of cavities developing.

Better Breathing

Many patients report to their orthodontist they experience better breathing when they start using a retainer. According to the Consumer Guide to Dentistry, there are certain types of retainers that will help maintain tooth and

jaw alignment, but also help people breath better. This often happens with a type of retainer designed to be worn during the night.

Diabetes Prevention

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the International Journal of Dentistry (IJD), people who correctly use their retainers are able to dramatically decrease the chance of poor oral health. Research has shown that poor oral health can increase the chances of developing diabetes. It can also make the health of an individual with diabetes worsen. Researchers know the importance of retainers when it comes to maintaining good oral health as well as preventing diabetes and counteracting its related ailments.

Beecroft Orthodontics

When an adult or child in Fredericksburg, Stafford or King George areas are in need of orthodontic care, a King Georgeorthodontist will be able to help. They are able to provide patients with a wide variety of orthodontic care. Visit their website for hours of operation and contact information.

Beecroft Orthodontics - 10472 Georgetown Dr, Fredericksburg, VA22553 Phone: 540 898 2200

The Benefits of Using a Retainer After Braces

What Your Child Should Expect Before and After Braces

As a parent, you know the importance of dental health. Some children are blessed with perfectly straight teeth while others will need help from an orthodontist to have that stellar smile. A dentist is often the first one to recommend taking a child to see King George orthodontists, as they have identified issues that are beyond their scope of practice. By the age of seven, children are recommended to see an orthodontist to ensure that any underlying problem is identified and reversed. Depending on the findings, it will determine what happens next.

The Need for Braces

When the teeth don't fit together properly, braces are the best option to fix the problem. Other issues treated are under bites, overbites, and cross bites. These concerns can cause excessive wear and tear on the teeth and gums if left untreated. They may even cause the jaw to develop unevenly in your child. Braces can address a wide range of cosmetic problems too. They can help when teeth have spacing issues; either too far apart or too close together. If there are extra or missing teeth, braces are a great way to fill those spaces or close gaps after a tooth is pulled. The goal of the orthodontists in King George is to correct the position of the teeth, which will essentially create a more uniform look and allow for better chewing.

Preparing Your Child

Many parents are overwhelmed when they find out their child needs braces. Explaining the situation to your child may be even more difficult. It's important to be upfront and honest with them about what is going to happen. By knowing what to expect, it makes the process easier and helps ease any fear. First, you should know that it will take about 1-2 hours for the braces to be put on the teeth. The orthodontist will clean and dry the teeth to prepare them for the application. After the surface has been primed, the orthodontist will apply a drop of glue to the surface of the tooth to hold the brace's bracket. The glue is harmless, but it doesn't have a great taste. After the glue has dried, the archwire is fed through the brackets and secured with rubber bands.

The Installation Process

The actual process of having the braces installed does not hurt. There are no drills or loud instruments that will scare your child either. Once the braces are installed, there will be some sensitivity due to the teeth being moved. If the child should experience any pain afterwards, acetaminophen or ibuprofen are excellent options to help. Prepare your child by letting them know that their teeth are going to be sore for about a week after the braces are put on. Also, they need to stick with soft foods for a couple days. Things like mashed potatoes, applesauce, pop-cycles, and things of this nature are acceptable. Due to the sensitivity of the procedure, soups and other liquids are great fillers that won't hurt the mouth. Slowly, the tenderness will diminish and they will once again be able to enjoy the things they love.

The hardest part of the process for your child is going to be sitting for that length of time. It may be hard for a child to sit for that length of time, but your friendly King George orthodontic specialists are trained to take care of your child.

The Top 10 Tooth Friendly Foods

Life with Braces

Life before and after braces are totally different. First, some food that your child loves are going to be off limits. Things like caramel, chewing gum, taffy, ice chips, nuts, and other things should be avoided. Basically, anything that is crunchy, chewy, or sticky should not be eaten. It's important to follow these restrictions, as these foods are known to break the braces and cause a trip to the orthodontist center for repair. However, remember that they are children and these things are going to happen. It's normal to break a wire or have the need for some repair work on occasion.

Getting Used To the Braces

It can take up to a month to get used to the feeling of having braces. Periodically, you will have to bring your child back into the King George Orthodontist Center for adjustments. Part of having braces is tightening the wires to gradually move the teeth. This is done in slight movements, as it does cause some discomfort to the child. The teeth and mouth area will be its sorest after an adjustment. Thankfully, that feeling goes away pretty quickly and is not a long lasting effect.

New rubber bands are installed on occasion, and there are many colors of bands that can be added for fun. We try to make your orthodontist experience pleasant. While getting braces can be a big ordeal with lots of appointments and adjustments, the end result is beautifully straight teeth and the ability to show off an attractive smile.

The Length of Treatment

One of the most common questions that are asked to our orthodontic staff is how long a child will have to wear braces. While no two cases are the same, the general rule of thumb is 12 to 30 months. There are very few cases or

reasons why the braces should be worn longer than that. The ideal time to put braces on is when the baby teeth are gone and the 12-year-old molars have erupted. The 12-year-old molars need to be at least partially visible, as braces cannot be attached to the area if not.

After the braces are removed, a retainer will be fitted to allow the teeth to maintain their shape. The retainer should be worn for about the same length as your child had their braces on. These metal wires help prevent a tooth from relapsing to its old position and ruining all the hard work the braces were able to achieve.

It's not an easy process, but with a little patience and understanding as a parent, you can help your child achieve the smile they deserve.

Beecroft Orthodontics - 10472 Georgetown Dr, Fredericksburg, VA22553 Phone: 540 898 2200

What Your Child Should Expect Before and After Braces

Are Braces Painful?

One of the most common questions patients and parents have when they first visit Beecroft Orthodontics is, "Are braces painful?" And of course this is a natural and normal question, especially if you have never had braces before! The good news is, there are so many different ways to straighten and align teeth today. There are different approaches depending on your specific bite issues and your smile goals. For kids, the fun Wild Smiles braces make wearing braces and getting check-ups fun and exciting.

In this post, learn more about what you can expect when you first get braces.

First Things First, Are Braces Painful?

Each patient will have a different experience of having braces installed and wearing their braces. Some of the variances will relate to your pain tolerance and some to the amount of adjustment and movement your teeth require to achieve your smile goals.

However, you will likely feel the most discomfort, if any, when your braces have been newly installed. This is when most patients report that they feel a bit more tenderness or soreness because the teeth and gums are getting used to the presence of braces.

After this, your mouth will get used to the braces. The only time in the future when you may feel some discomfort is during adjustments.

6 Different Types of Braces to Choose From

When you come in for your initial orthodontic consultation, you will have a chance to talk with your orthodontist about different options for straightening and aligning your teeth so you can achieve your dental health and smile goals.

Here are the 6 different types of braces you can choose from:

- Standard metal braces. Stainless steel standard metal braces are both cost efficient and effective. These durable, reliable braces use a system of rubber bands to make smaller adjustments to ensure that teeth are moved to the desired positions. For children, the Wild Smiles metal braces line can make a fun and snazzy alternative that eases the process of getting braces put on and adjusted.

- Lingual braces. Lingual braces are installed on the reverse side of the teeth, which means they have earned the nickname of "invisible" braces.

- Ceramic braces. Ceramic braces can also appear invisible to a degree, since the ceramic used is colored to match your natural tooth color. They are slightly more fragile than their traditional metal peers.

- Gold braces. Gold braces are simply colored gold instead of silver. There is no other substantial difference.

- Invisalign (clear braces). Invisalign uses a series of removable inserts in place of fixed placement braces. This means that Invisalign can be removed for special occasions as well as to eat, floss and brush teeth. However, they should be worn for at least 22 hours per day on average for best results. Because the inserts are not made of metal, many patients report they find Invisalign to be a more comfortable alternative to traditional braces.

Dentist Vs Orthodontist

It is important to talk with your orthodontist and choose the braces system that is the best fit for your needs and goals. While treatment times vary from patient to patient, the minimum time is typically at least six months, and for some patients with particular dental needs, treatment can last as long as 30 months.

Where Retainers Fit In

You will wear your selected system of braces until the desired results have been achieved. At this time, your orthodontist may recommend a temporary and/or permanent retainer to help hold the teeth in their final post-orthodontia position.

For younger patients in particular, regular wearing of the retainer is important, since the teeth and jaw may still be moving and growing. The retainer system is designed to keep the teeth in place during future growth spurts.

For adult patients as well, the use of retainers can safeguard the results of a course of orthodontic treatment. Often, a permanent retainer will be placed across the lower front teeth and a customized removable retainer will be made to wear on the upper set of teeth.

You will need to wear your removable retainer as often as possible to ensure your freshly corrected bite stays in position permanently after your braces come off.

Special Concerns about Braces

If you play a sport or a musical instrument, you may wonder how having braces will affect these hobbies. The good news here is, patients who play sports or musical instruments report that there is an initial period of adjustment when they are getting used to wearing braces. But after that initial adjustment period is over, they can go back to their regular hobbies with no real impact from the presence of their braces.

One word of caution: if you play contact sports, it is very important to wear a helmet while you are having orthodontic treatment. This will protect your mouth and your braces and ensure you will have the treatment outcome you are hoping for.

Contact Beecroft Orthodontics Today

If you are seeking an orthodontist who can consult with you about orthodontic braces in Fredericksburg, VA, look no

further than our cozy, friendly King George Braces experts here at Beecroft Orthodontics. Founding orthodontist Matt Beecroft's own father got braces at age 59, and when Matt saw his father smiling, a future orthodontist was born!

Today, we offer braces and orthodontic care for patients of all ages, including Invisalign, a variety of braces styles and our popular Wild Smiles braces program for kids, tween and teens. Contact us today at 540-898-2200 or via our website to schedule your initial consultation.

Beecroft Orthodontics - 10472 Georgetown Dr, Fredericksburg, VA22553 Phone: 540 898 2200

Are Braces Painful?