Due to various biological and lifestyle factors, our teeth are almost always changing. If you forgot to wear your braces and start to see movement in your mouth, here's how to fix your teeth after not wearing your braces and get the perfect smile you achieved after braces.
When youceleryWhen you come off, you get a retainer that helps keep your teeth in the same places your braces left them. Your braces are molded to your newly straightened teeth, and especially in the first six months after treatment, it is imperative to wear your braces at all times to maintain optimal results. Sleepwear is recommended for life, or as we say "as long as you want your teeth straight"!
What are the consequences of not wearing braces after braces?
We understand that some patients become less diligent about wearing their braces over time. Sometimes life gets in the way and yoursholderis seen as something that collects dust - rather than a very important tool that helps you keep your perfect teeth from shifting.
Some people may experience a shift after just a week without braces, so if you don't wear your braces for a year, you may notice a significant difference between when you first had your braces removed and now.
Documented research indicates that patients who do not wear their braces after the braces are removed are at risk of their teeth slipping and shifting. The results of not wearing your braces can mean that your teeth are starting to move. This is especially a concern for patients with more serious orthodontic conditions such as crowding or severely misaligned teeth, as the teeth can slide back into their previous position.
What does tooth decay look like?
Patients who have lost their braces and don't replace them or just don't feel like putting them in are likely to notice some changes. Your bite may even begin to return to what it was before your long orthodontic journey. For example, an overbite may recur and your teeth will likely begin to push forward.
If the shoe (holder) fits!
If after a year of neglect you finally decide to wear your braces and you can still fit them over your teeth, you are incredibly lucky! In the best case, you can put the holder on it, even if it is a bit tight. At the very least, consistently returning to wearing your retainer can help reverse this relapse and move your teeth back into the desired position.
Unfortunately, if you have not used your retainer for some time, you are much more likely to be unable to fit the retainer over your teeth at all. If this happens, make an appointment with your orthodontist as soon as possible and they will make you a new retainer that will hold your teeth in their current position. This is probably not as desirable for many patients as they will find that they have lost some of the straightness they were so excited about when their braces were first removed. However, it is better to avoid further changes than to allow time to do even more damage to your newly straightened smile.
Wear your braces
Do I have to wear my braces forever?
Basically, you should wear your braces full time right after your braces are removed. You don't necessarily have to wear your braces full-time forever, but they should be worn part-time as directed by your orthodontist to prevent relapse and tooth shifting.
What happens if you don't wear your braces?
Once you remove your braces, your orthodontic journey isn't over. It is important to continue to wear your braces according to your orthodontist's instructions. If you don't wear your braces as directed by your orthodontist, your teeth may return to their original position, affecting the progress you made during your orthodontic treatment , is lost.
Will my teeth shift if I don't wear my braces for a week?
If you try to insert your retainer after not wearing it for a week, it may feel a little tight. After a few hours of use, it will feel less tight as your teeth begin to move in place. You may feel some soreness or sore gums and teeth during this process as it is similar to the mild pain of wearing braces, but this should stop after some time.
Take care of your holder and your smile
You can't maintain the full, beautiful results you've achieved with braces if you don't wear your braces consistently. Not wearing your braces can lead to problems repairing your teeth after they've been moved. Once you realize your teeth have shifted, it's probably too late to try to get them back to their best shape without wearing your braces again. We recommend that you follow an oral hygiene routine at night, always inserting your braces.
Whatever the cause of your teeth shifting, at Wonder West Orthodontics we will never make you feel guilty about your journey to your best possible smile. If you're having trouble changing, book an appointment with us and we'll be happy to get you back on the road so you can enjoy the teeth you'd like to see in the mirror.
