Children’s Retainers

Retainers for children are orthodontic devices that children wear to fix teeth alignment issues and other similar conditions. Unlike kids’ braces, retainers are usually removable, making it easier for your child to eat and brush their teeth.

One of the options that orthodontists are suggesting for children is Essix retainers. But what are they, and what benefits do they offer?

1. What is an Essix retainer?

Most retainers are made of metal, acrylic, wires, or plastic and can be fixed or removable. Permanent retainers are attached or bonded to the back of your teeth. They can work as a replacement for braces in some cases, or they can supplement braces.

Essix retainers are removable retainers that have a unique low profile. They’re made of clear materials, providing an almost invisible look. Hawley retainers are another option. They’re made of metal and acrylic materials.

Essix retainers provide results by guiding and maintaining teeth positions and the alignment of your child’s bite.

2. Essix Retainers: Function

Unlike kids’ braces and other types of retainers, Essix retainers are made of transparent plastic without any metal wires. They’re removable and nearly invisible.

These retainers are customized to fit your teeth through every stage of the treatment process. Your orthodontist takes impressions of your teeth and sends them off to a lab to create Essix retainers. This ensures that you get a comfortable fit that doesn’t slip.

3. Pros and Cons of Essix Retainers

Essix retainers are much less visible than other similar options. This can be important for many children, so that can be a huge benefit.

Another benefit is that they’re removable. Your child can remove them before eating, allowing them to eat more freely. With other types of retainers and with kids’ braces, there are many restrictions on what foods they can eat to avoid cracking or otherwise damaging the devices. That’s not a problem with Essix retainers.

The ability to remove these retainers also makes it easier for children to maintain proper oral health. When wearing other fixed retainers or braces, food can get stuck in the wires, attracting bacteria and potentially causing tooth decay. With the ability to remove the Essix retainers, your child can brush and floss as they normally would.

These are much more comfortable retainers to wear than those made with wires. Metal wires can scratch your child’s cheeks and tongue. With these smooth retainers, there are no edges that can affect the tongue or cheeks. The fit is also great because the retainers are customized to your child’s mouth.

There are some downsides to these retainers as well. People who wear them have a higher risk of developing plaque. If your child doesn’t clean the retainers well and often, bacteria can remain on the surface, putting oral health at risk.

The top part of the retainers has hard edges that can cause bleeding gums if your child doesn’t position them correctly or bites down on them.

Essix retainers are also more likely to break than other types of retainers. Children can more easily lose them because they’re clear as well.

To make the best decision for your child, you need to speak with a dental professional who can guide you. They will consider your child’s individual needs and recommend the right orthodontic device.

4. Care and Maintenance of Essix Retainers

Your child needs to clean the retainers as often as they brush their teeth. They should only use cold water since hot water could warp the material. Your child should use liquid soap or toothpaste. Keep in mind that toothpaste may cause a clouding effect over time.

They should rely on a soft brush to clean the retainers, and they can also soak the devices two or three times a week in a denture cleaner.

It’s important never to soak the Essix retainers in an alcohol-based liquid or in bleach. Boiling them can cause the material to warp.

Encouraging your child to brush their teeth and their retainers after every meal and snack will help them avoid issues like gum disease and tooth decay.

Get help from We Make Kids Smile.

Essix retainers offer the chance for your child to get the beautiful smile they deserve. By offering an almost invisible appearance, a comfortable fit, and easy maintenance, these retainers can make a big difference.

At We Make Kids Smile, you can get help choosing the best orthodontic devices for your child from a great children’s dentist in Prince Frederick. We can offer information on the device, its maintenance, and so much more. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.