In addition to being somewhat pricey, braces can take months or even years to correct a smile. However, after removing your braces, your teeth could return to their original position. Fortunately, using Greenwich retainers can make it easier to keep your teeth straight, protecting the time and money you spend on braces.

Retainers are appliances that prevent your teeth from shifting out of position following an orthodontic surgery like braces or Invisalign.

Here are reasons why you should wear a retainer.

1.   They maintain space for wisdom teeth and new teeth

Braces are commonly worn by teenagers and preteens whose bodies are still developing. Therefore, they would wear dental retainers about the time when their wisdom teeth began to emerge. When they wear the retainer consistently, the space in their jaw required to accommodate additional teeth, such as wisdom teeth, will be preserved. Utilizing retainers regularly prevents teeth from shifting or crowding as a result of a lack of available space.

2.   They stabilize your bite

Braces or Invisalign gradually reposition your teeth in their natural positions. The soft tissue and bone are altered as a result. While the soft tissue and bone need time to heal and adjust, your teeth quickly adapt to their new position. While the soft tissue and bone settle, the retainer’s job is to secure your teeth in their new place. Without your retainer, your teeth will begin to reposition themselves spontaneously, undoing all the hard work you just through.

3.   It eliminates the need for braces once more

Nothing keeps your teeth in place without a retainer while the soft tissue and bones recover after a dislocation. Your teeth will gradually start to move back into their original positions, undoing all the braces’ progress. If you decide not to use your retainer, you can end up needing braces again in the future. Do you want to undergo treatment again after spending all this time and money on it?

4.   Lowers the risk of health issues

Misaligned teeth can exacerbate poor dental hygiene. You might be surprised to learn that poor oral hygiene affects more than just your teeth. Periodontal disease develops when the gums and surrounding tissue get infected. Periodontal disease has been linked to major illnesses like stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory disease.

5.   Wearing a retainer improves dental hygiene

You may have originally had braces to treat crooked or crowded teeth, which was one of the causes of their occurrence. When teeth are misaligned or overlapped, it can make it difficult to brush and floss effectively enough to eliminate plaque and bacteria. It can also result in abnormal wear of the tooth enamel as teeth brush against one another when you bite or chew. While your braces have corrected these problems, your retainer aids in maintaining the position of your teeth and makes cleaning much simpler.

While it may seem like a hassle to wear a retainer, the fact is that doing so may improve your smile and general health. Call Greenwich Dentistry to book your appointment for retainers.