Braces are an incredible investment, so it’s important to remember that your teeth can still shift after having them. Therefore, it is crucial to understand what can affect your straight teeth after you get your braces off, so you can be proactive in ensuring you prevent any movement over time.
The following situations can affect your straight teeth:
- Clenching and Teeth Grinding
Clenching and teeth grinding is an oral condition called bruxism. This causes people who are stressed to either clench their teeth tightly together or grind their top and bottom teeth. In doing this, the person is increasing their chances of receding gums. When there is less gum tissue, the person’s teeth will no longer be as secure as before and move more easily.
- Tooth Loss
If a person loses a tooth, the other teeth will start moving towards the opening and cause the straight teeth to become more crooked. To prevent this from happening, your dentist will need to either put a dental implant in the missing space or make a partial denture.
- Wisdom Teeth
It is not uncommon for people to get their wisdom teeth extracted because eruptions of their wisdom teeth can push their other teeth out of alignment. Dentists are typically more aware of a person’s wisdom teeth if they had braces before removing them, so they can be extracted before they affect their straight teeth.
- Gum Disease
Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, affects a person’s teeth, gums, and jawbone. Over time, this disease causes a person’s teeth to lose their foundation in the gums and, therefore, move out of alignment.
It is crucial to maintain good habits once your braces are taken off to keep your straight teeth from moving over time. To prevent your teeth from moving and adjusting, make sure to do the following:
- Wear your retainer. Wearing your retainer is one of the most important ways to keep your teeth from shifting. Follow your orthodontist’s recommendations to a T because they know what is best for you and your circumstances.
- Go to your dentist regularly. You must see your dentist every six months so that they can detect any signs of gum disease or wisdom teeth coming through. In either case, your dentist will be able to recommend steps to keep your teeth straight.
- Treat your bruxism with a mouthguard. If you clench or grind your teeth, you must wear a mouthguard while you sleep. Even better, your dentist can make you a custom-fit mouthguard to keep you as comfortable as possible at night.
- Maintain good oral hygiene. To keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong, it is essential to brush and floss your teeth three times a day after meals.
If you would like to learn more about how you can keep your teeth straight after braces, give North County Dental Care a call today at 760.940.4266!
North County Dental Care brings together a host of dental specialists to provide a full spectrum of dental care for you and your family, all in one convenient location. Our family dentistry office in Vista, California, does not require referrals or running from one specialist’s office to another to receive the care you need. Best of all, we treat patients of all ages so that you can schedule your family member’s dental appointments all in one place.
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