If your child is nearing the age where you\u2019re beginning to think about scheduling their first orthodontic evaluation<\/a>, you might have started preparing for that appointment by researching treatments like braces. When most people think of orthodontics, braces are the first treatment they think of because they\u2019re so common. As you begin looking into braces, though, you might see references to retainers. Retainers are a vital part of many people\u2019s daily routines\u2014and there\u2019s a reason they\u2019re so important! There are several types of retainers out there, including the increasingly popular clear Essix retainers. Understanding retainers, their uses, why your child may need them, and what options are out there can help you guide your child through future treatments so that they can get the best long-term results from their orthodontic treatment. We want the best long-term results for your child, too, so our dental team in Waldorf MD has put together a guide on retainers just for you.<\/p>\n Braces or clear aligners shift teeth into their new positions to create a straight, even smile, but it\u2019s retainers that help make this change permanent. Your child\u2019s teeth are particularly vulnerable to shifting back to their previous positions right after their braces are removed because it takes at least four to six months for the new position of their teeth to become permanent. Even after this critical period, pressures from chewing, wear and tear, and even simple growth can cause their teeth to begin shifting back\u2014even years after they\u2019ve completed their orthodontic treatment<\/a>.<\/p>\n Thankfully, this is where retainers come in! They keep teeth in their new positions once your child has completed their orthodontic treatment. This vital job means that everyone who has undergone orthodontic treatment using braces or clear aligners needs retainers afterward. Many people are surprised to learn that there are a few other situations in which your child might get retainers. Retainers can sometimes be used before or even instead of braces to close small gaps between your child\u2019s teeth or to correct mild overcrowding if it only affects a couple of teeth.<\/p>\n Since their teeth can start shifting back at any time, it\u2019s recommended that your child wear their retainers for the rest of their life to gain the best long-term results from their orthodontic treatment. How often they have to wear their retainers decreases as time goes on, though. In general, dentists recommend that retainers are worn all the time for the first year after your child finishes their orthodontic treatment. This allows their teeth to settle more fully into their new positioning. During this time, your child\u2019s retainer should only be removed when they eat, play sports, or practice their regular oral hygiene routine. After this first year, your child will likely be able to cut back to wearing their retainer only when they go to sleep at night. It’s this routine that most people end up needing to keep for the rest of their lives. Everyone is different, though, so your child\u2019s dentist may give them different instructions based on their unique needs.<\/p>\n It might surprise you to learn that there are three types of retainers you and your child can choose from, each with its own pros and cons.<\/p>\n This type of retainer, also called Hawley retainers, is what you likely picture when you think of retainers. They consist of a metal wire that slides into place against the front of your child\u2019s teeth. This wire is attached to an acrylic plastic material that is molded to fit against the roof of their mouth or the inside of their lower teeth. The wire makes them more immediately visible on your child\u2019s teeth, but they\u2019re durable and can last for years if your child takes good care of them.<\/p>\n Much like clear aligners, clear Essix retainers are made from a special clear plastic that is custom-made to mold to the contours of your child\u2019s new smile. This makes the aligners nearly invisible on your child\u2019s teeth, which is a major plus for many kids. Clear Essix retainers need careful care to prevent them from warping in the heat and to keep them looking their best, though, so your child should be up to the task of caring for them if you choose these retainers.<\/p>\n True to their name, permanent retainers consist of a wire that\u2019s permanently bonded to the back of your child\u2019s teeth. This is most often done for young patients who likely can\u2019t or won\u2019t follow instructions for removable retainers or whose teeth are at a greater risk of shifting back to their original positions. These retainers aren\u2019t visible when your child smiles and are impossible to lose, but they do make thorough oral hygiene a little more difficult and can lead to issues like gum disease<\/a>.<\/p>\n One of the main reasons that clear Essix retainers are so well-liked is the same reason that makes clear aligners so popular\u2014their near-invisibility on your child\u2019s teeth. This helps your child feel more confident while wearing the aligners, which makes them more likely to wear them when they\u2019re supposed to. This is a major plus for both you and your child! Plus, clear Essix retainers are smooth and less bulky than wire retainers, which makes them more comfortable. It also means that they affect your child\u2019s speech less than wire retainers. Your child\u2019s speech might have a bit of a lisp while they get used to the way the retainers feel in their mouth, but afterward, they should be able to speak normally. This is yet another factor that will help them feel more comfortable and confident<\/a> while wearing the retainers.<\/p>\n No matter what type of retainer your child gets, it\u2019s incredibly important that they clean them regularly by following the instructions that their dentist provides. Plaque and tartar can build up on their retainer just like it does on teeth. Since the retainer spends a lot of time resting against your child\u2019s teeth, this can increase the likelihood that they\u2019ll develop oral health issues like tooth decay<\/a> or gum disease. Plus, plaque and tartar contain bacteria that can make their retainer taste and smell gross, which makes it unpleasant to wear and gives them bad breath<\/a>.<\/p>\n If your child gets clear Essix retainers, keeping the retainers clear is an additional reason to keep them clean. When plaque or tartar builds up on clear Essix retainers, they can take on a yellow or brown tint, making them much more visible on your child\u2019s teeth. Thankfully, as long as your child follows the care instructions for their clear Essix aligners, including cleaning them regularly and preventing them from coming into contact with staining foods or drinks, they should stay invisible on your child\u2019s teeth.<\/p>\n When your child carries out their regular oral hygiene routine\u2014which they should be especially careful about while they\u2019re wearing retainers\u2014they should also clean their clear Essix retainers. This involves rinsing the retainers with cold water before every use and using a soft-bristled toothbrush, cold water, and clear, unscented soap or a specialized cleaner to clean the retainers twice a day.<\/p>\n Make sure your child avoids using hot water or anything abrasive to clean their clear Essix retainers. Hot water can warp the retainers, preventing them from fitting over your child\u2019s teeth or doing their job of holding them in place, while abrasive cleaning materials can scratch the retainers and make them appear cloudy over time. A lot of this is simply a matter of getting the right tools and establishing a routine. Once your child has their new routine down, caring for their clear Essix retainers is simple and only adds a few minutes to their regular oral hygiene routine!<\/p>\nWho needs retainers?<\/h2>\n
How long are they usually worn?<\/h2>\n
What kinds of retainers are used?<\/h2>\n
Wire Retainers<\/h3>\n
Clear Essix Retainers<\/h3>\n
Permanent Retainers<\/h3>\n
What makes Essix retainers so well-liked?<\/h2>\n
Why is it so important to keep retainers clean?<\/h2>\n
How do you clean clear Essix retainers?<\/h2>\n