Even though orthodontic treatment can help you in a myriad of ways, you still need to take good care of your smile after your braces have been removed. That’s right. Your smile still needs regular care and maintenance. To help you keep your teeth and gums in tip-top shape after you’ve removed your braces in Victorville, California, Dr. Michael Jacobsen and our orthodontic team have some helpful tips for you.
Tip No. 1: Wear your retainer – If you fail to wear your retainer as recommended, there is a high chance your teeth will shift back into their original positions. This is because there is still tension in the periodontal ligaments after you remove your braces. So, make sure you wear your retainer or you might return to the not-so-aligned smile you despised before orthodontic treatment.
Tip No. 2: Keep up on oral hygiene – As you may already know, it’s extremely important to brush every morning and every night, floss every night, and rinse daily. But, more importantly, you need to schedule a dental cleaning with your dentist after your braces have been removed. It is highly likely that there are crevices and spaces in your mouth that were neglected while you straightened your teeth. If you get a professional dental cleaning, those areas will be cleaned and your smile will be free from the threats of tooth decay, gum disease and other dental issues.
Tip No. 3: Wait to whiten – If you want to brighten your teeth after you’ve removed your braces, it’s best to wait at least a month before taking advantage of any whitening treatment. This is because your teeth need time to strengthen and become less sensitive.
Call Jacobsen & Maleeh Orthodontics today at 760-951-7752 if you have any questions or if you would like to know more about the best ways to care for your smile! The sooner you call us, the sooner our team will be able to give you the answers and information you need to succeed. We look forward to helping you!