Pediatric Dentistry of Suffolk County I & II
Commack (631) 486-6364
Medford (631) 320-0880
Your child is approaching the last few months of having to wear braces! Congratulations, you’re in the home stretch! But what happens once the braces are off? Since they won’t want to reverse all of the hard work they just did to straighten their teeth, it’s important that they wear a retainer. Some children might be apprehensive about wearing a retainer, but we’re here to answer the four most common retainer questions to help ease your fears!
1.Why does my child have to wear a retainer?
Since your child’s teeth will continue to grow into adulthood, teeth are susceptible to moving and shifting. Without a retainer, your children have a 99% chance of moving, defeating the purpose of braces in the first place! Consistent use of a retainer will help keep their teeth nice and straight!
2. How long do they have to wear it for?
That’s a great question! While the length of retainer wear will vary from patient to patient, we typically stress the importance of proper daily retainer use for the first six months after their braces are removed. Once the teeth become more stabilized after that time, your child can wear their retainer more infrequently.
3. How can they care for their retainer?
Your child should clean their retainer by brushing it with toothpaste. If they are wearing a lower fixed retainer they should take extra precaution, making sure to brush the wire and inside of the lower teeth. They should always bring their retainer to each appointment and should place it in it’s plastic case whenever it is removed from their mouth. Their retainer should be stored in a cool place, since excessive heat will warp and ruin it. Make sure your child avoids flipping their retainer with their tongue, as this can lead to tooth damage.
4. Will It Hurt?
Retainers are made to custom fit every child’s mouth and designed to keep their teeth in place. Since each retainer is made specific to the structure of every individual, consistent use of a retainer should fit comfortably and not hurt. If your child doesn’t wear their retainer daily, teeth can shift, causing the retainer to feel tight in their mouth. To help them avoid this uncomfortable feeling and keep their pearly whites straight, make sure your child is consistent with their use.
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends an orthodontic screening for children by the age of 7 years. At age 7 the teeth and jaws are developed enough so that the dentist or orthodontist can see if there will be any serious bite problems in the future. Is your child in need of Orthodontic Care? Give Pediatric Dentistry Of Suffolk County a call! we are committed to making each visit a fun and enjoyable time for your child. To learn more about the services we offer, visit us on our new website! Labels: Best LI Pediatric Dentist, Best Pediatric Dental Practice on Long Island, Best Pediatric Dentist Long Island, common retainer questions, retainer, retainer tips long island
