Why Retainers Are Important

Posted on 1/23/2023 by Dr. James A. Krippaehne

There has never been a better way to explain why wearing retainers is essential. If you do not follow the orthodontists' instructions, your teeth could return to their usual positions, and you do not wish that to happen. That would be a waste of money and time. Wearing braces is crucial because it helps in moving teeth to their correct position by making them aligned. Teeth can loosen slightly as the ligaments and periodontal membrane shift. However, newbies will soon grow in the teeth sockets, making them secure again. Depending on your teeth' needs, an orthodontist will choose retainers that suit you and tell you why wearing them is important.

Keeping Teeth In Place

Teeth take time before settling in their new placements. For them to fully settle, your gum tissues and bone muscles must adapt to the new changes. During this time, teeth take time to be in their placements, and that is when the retainers come in handy since they help keep them where they are supposed to be and not shift to other places.

Defending Against Tongue Thrust

Some individuals find themselves thrusting tongues forward whenever they are talking, swallowing or as they rest. Tongue thrust forces teeth to move forward, ruining your newly installed smile. Fortunately, there is a special retainer that your orthodontist can recommend for you to prevent all that from happening.

Prevent Clenching

As soon as your braces are off, it would be best if you felt a little bit different. Clenching of the jaw might occur as your mouth tries to keep up with the new sensations. A retainer is going to help prevent clenching, which means you also will not experience teeth grinding or headaches. Without the retainers, you might not want what you feel after the braces are done with their job.

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Dental Blog | Portland OR | West End Dental
West End Dental, 833 SW 11th Ave, Suite 300 Portland, OR 97205 \ (503) 446-2957 \ west-end-dental.com \ 3/31/2023 \ Related Terms: dentist Downtown Portland \