Teeth straightening treatments like braces or clear aligners are an excellent way to boost your confidence. Orthodontics are also a critical part of improving the alignment of your teeth to protect your oral health and the long-term function of your jaw joints.
As important as orthodontic treatments are, many people underestimate what it takes to protect a straight smile long-term.
In this post, we want to give you a full understanding of what to expect after your orthodontic treatment is complete so you can enjoy a straight, healthy smile for years to come.
You Went Through Teeth Straightening, What Now?
Congratulations! You’ve finished orthodontics, and now you have a beautiful, straight smile. But the journey doesn’t end here. You might think, “My braces are off, so I’m done, right?”
Well, not quite. Keeping your teeth straight requires ongoing care, even after braces or aligners are removed.
As part of completing your braces or Invisalign®, your orthodontist will probably give you detailed instructions about wearing your retainers. Typically, they’ll recommend wearing them at all times for the first several weeks or months.
It’s critical to follow their instructions as closely as possible to keep your teeth from shifting after your orthodontic treatment is complete.
Can Teeth Become Crooked Again After Braces?
Yes, teeth can shift after orthodontic treatment. This is most common in the first year, but changes can happen gradually over time.
Teeth straightening treatments work by creating constant pressure that stimulates the bone sockets to change around the roots of the teeth. (Think of dragging a stick through really thick oatmeal.)
When your orthodontic treatment is complete, it takes time for the bone tissue to finish remodeling and become hard and dense again. That means that your teeth are very likely to move back toward their original positions (called relapsing) in the first twelve months after your braces or clear aligners.
To keep your teeth from moving back to their old positions, it’s important to stay on top of things to keep that smile straight.
Is It Normal for Teeth to Shift?
Sometimes! It is generally considered normal for teeth to shift slightly throughout your life. Usually, the teeth will drift toward the midline of your face (called mesial drift), which can cause the lower front teeth to become rotated and crowded.
If you had braces as a child, but you’ve noticed your teeth have become rotated or crowded as an adult, you might be a great candidate for clear aligners like Invisalign to get things back in shape. Ask us at your next regular check-up if your smile could benefit from a quick tune-up!
It’s worth noting that significant movement might be a sign of other issues. Teeth can shift due to things like pressure from wisdom teeth, grinding your teeth at night, or even changes in your jaw as you age. Unusual changes to your bite or the positions of your teeth can also happen because of periodontal disease. If you notice a lot of movement, it’s a good idea to get it checked out.
How to Prevent Teeth from Shifting
1. Wear your retainers as instructed.
The best way to prevent shifting is by wearing your retainer as instructed. Your orthodontist may recommend wearing it all the time at first, then just at night.
For best results, plan to wear a retainer at night as part of your permanent routine. But remember, removable orthodontic retainers don’t last forever! They usually last about 5-10 years unless you grind your teeth. So, plan to get them replaced occasionally.
2. Consider a permanent retainer.
If your front teeth are very likely to relapse, your dentist or orthodontist might recommend a permanent retainer in that area. This is usually a piece of strong wire attached to the tongue-side of the front teeth (frequently four or six teeth) with clear or tooth-colored filling material.
If you have a permanent retainer, it’s essential to keep it clean. However, flossing a permanent retainer can be tricky. We’ll give you some essential tips on how to keep it clean in the next section.
3. Keep up with good homecare.
Good oral hygiene is key to keeping your teeth straight. That means brushing, flossing, and keeping up with your regular dental visits.
Tartar and food debris between the teeth can create pressure that pushes on your teeth and make them more likely to shit out of their ideal positions. Plus, plaque and tartar can cause inflammation and eventually damage the stability of the ligaments and bone sockets that keep your teeth in place. Which, as mentioned above, can lead to shifting teeth.
4. Talk to your dentist about tooth grinding or clenching.
The good news is that orthodontic care can help to reduce grinding in some cases because it helps to create a more stable bite. However, this doesn’t happen in all cases.
If you grind your teeth, talk to your dentist about getting a mouth guard. The excessive pressure from nighttime grinding or clenching habits can cause your teeth to shift. In severe cases, it can even wear down your enamel, cause your teeth to crack, and damage your jaw joints.
A night guard to prevent grinding can take often the place of an orthodontic retainer.
5. Try to avoid bad tooth habits.
Beyond grinding and clenching, certain habits can also cause your teeth to shift out of alignment. These habits can be incredibly difficult to break, but the first step is noticing when you do them!
Keep an eye out for:
- Nail biting
- Using your teeth as tools (for example, opening packages)
- Chewing too hard
- Sleeping on your side or stomach
- Sucking your thumb or fingers
- Chewing on objects such as pens
- Chewing gum too aggressively or for too much time every day
- Mouth breathing
You won’t be able to avoid every habit that can cause your teeth to move. For example, it can be almost impossible to change your sleeping position. However, keeping these types of habits under control can go along way to help your teeth stay straight.
How to Take Care of Your Orthodontic Retainers
In general, keep your retainers clean and prevent putting them in situations where they could warp or lose their shape. Here are some tips for keeping your retainers in great shape so they can keep your smile looking great in return!
- If you take your retainers out to eat, always put it in a case. Retainers are most often lost because they get wrapped up in napkins and accidentally thrown away.
- Keep them out of reach of pets at all times. Just trust us on this one.
- Gently brush your retainers with a soft toothbrush twice every day. But don’t use toothpaste, which can damage the acrylic.
- You can soak your retainer occasionally to prevent buildup. Use specialized orthodontic appliance cleansers or diluted vinegar (half white vinegar, half water).
- Keep your retainers away from heat (such as hot water, hot car dashboards, glove compartments and washing machines), which can warp them. And don’t put them in your pocket, where they’re likely to break.
- Never try to adjust your retainer at home. Call your dentist or orthodontist for help!
Permanent retainers are likely to build up heavy tartar if you don’t put in the extra effort to keep them clean. Use a floss threader to get floss below the retainer at least once per day.
If you can’t get a floss threader under your retainer, use a water flosser. (Honestly, it’s a good idea to use one even if you can floss under your retainer because it can clean some areas even floss can’t reach effectively.)
Remember, always bring your retainer to your teeth cleaning appointments so we can give it a deep clean in our ultrasonic!
Worried About Shifting Teeth? Talk to Us!
Our team at Lake Baldwin Dental is proud to partner with skilled orthodontists in Orlando, FL. We will work closely with them to help you get the most out of your teeth straightening treatment.
Even if it’s been years since you had braces, it’s never too late to enjoy a straight, healthy smile! We’ve even helped patients in their seventies get orthodontic care to protect their oral health.
If you’ve noticed changes to your bite or the look of your smile, talk to us. We’re always happy to help you get the care you need to enjoy great oral health and a smile you love to share. Keep smiling, Orlando!
