Dental Braces (cont.)
Can I Continue to Play Sports While Wearing Braces?
You can continue to participate in any sport you choose. When playing sports
where there is a possibility of getting hit in the mouth, a specially designed
mouthguard will need to be worn. The mouthguard, made of durable plastic, is
designed to fit comfortably over your braces and will protect the soft tissues
inside your mouth.
Learn more about mouth
guards.
What Care Can I Expect After the Braces Come Off?
After your braces are taken off, your teeth will be thoroughly cleaned. Your
orthodontist may want to take another set of X-rays and bite impressions to
check how well the braces straightened your teeth and to see if any wisdom teeth have developed. If wisdom
teeth are beginning to come in after your braces have been removed, your
orthodontist may recommend the wisdom teeth be pulled to prevent your newly
straightened teeth from shifting position in your mouth.
Your orthodontist will also fit you with a retainer. A retainer is a
custom-made, removable appliance that help teeth to maintain their new position
after braces have been removed. Retainers can also be used to treat minor
orthodontic problems. The use of a retainer is a very important part of
post-braces care. Retainers, which are typically made of rubber or clear
plastic and metal wires that cover the outside surface of the teeth, need to be
worn all the time for the first 6 months and then usually only during sleep.
The time frame for wearing a retainer will vary from patient to patient. The
reason why a retainer is needed is that even though braces may have
successfully straightened your teeth, they are not completely settled in their
new position until the bones, gums, and muscles adapt to the change. Also,
after long periods of time, teeth tend to shift.
Next: How much do braces cost? »
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