The Braces Are Off: Here’s How to Retain Your Perfect Smile

The day is finally here. Your braces are off and you can’t stop smiling. After months or years of wires, brackets, and orthodontic appointments, you finally have the smile you’ve always dreamed of. 

But there’s a catch. Your orthodontic journey isn’t over. In fact, braces are just the beginning. 

At Solay Dental, with offices in Oldsmar, New Port Richey, and Brandon, Florida, our skilled dental team is here to help you maintain your beautiful smile with post-braces care. 

Let’s talk about what comes next and how you can keep your smile straight for life.

Smile maintenance: Why the work continues

Braces do an amazing job of straightening your teeth. But once they’re off, your teeth aren’t automatically locked in place and can drift back into their old positions if you don’t take steps to maintain their new alignment.

Age-related changes to the jaw, the constant pressure from eating and chewing, and other dental issues like teeth grinding may also contribute to the gradual shifting of your teeth.

This is why maintaining your new smile takes as much care as creating it.

The retainer

Retainers are the best tool for maintaining your perfect smile after braces. It’s a custom-fit oral device that uses strong wires or clear materials to hold your teeth in place, giving your jawbone a chance to adapt to their new position.

There are two main types of retainers:

Fixed retainer

A fixed retainer stays in your mouth, providing long-term, low maintenance support. Only your orthodontist can remove the retainer.

Removable retainer

A removable retainer is taken in and out for eating and brushing your teeth. This type of retainer gives you more flexibility and makes it easier for you to maintain oral health.

No matter what type of retainer you choose, wearing your retainer consistently is non-negotiable. For the first six months post-braces, you need to wear the retainer full-time (day and night). After that, you may graduate to part-time use, wearing the retainer at night while you sleep.  

A retainer is a permanent part of your orthodontic care plan and the best tool for keeping your perfect smile.

Your post-braces routine

Now that your braces are off, you can go back to brushing and flossing your teeth without navigating around brackets and wires. Reestablishing this habit is good for your teeth and gums, helping remove plaque, reducing tartar buildup, and minimizing the risk of cavities.

Taking good care of your teeth at home is key to keeping your mouth healthy and preventing problems that may affect the look of your smile, like gum disease or tooth loss.

How to keep your smile long-term

In addition to wearing your retainer and brushing and flossing daily, you also need to schedule regular visits with the dentist for preventive dental care to keep your perfect smile.

We check your teeth and gums, look for changes in alignment, and evaluate the fit of your retainer at your regular dental visits. We also look at teeth and gum issues and professionally clean and polish your teeth to brighten your smile.

Taking good care of your teeth after braces is as important for keeping your teeth straight as the braces themselves. With care and support from our skilled team at Solay Dental, you can keep your smile straight, bright, and healthy for life.

If your teeth shift despite your best efforts, we can talk to you about Invisalign® to quickly and discreetly restore your smile. For comprehensive dental care from an experienced team, call us today or book an appointment online.