Beautiful Smiles That Last A Lifetime

Kelly Orthodontics

It’s time to celebrate! You’ve just gotten your taken braces off and your smile looks amazing!

If you want to keep that beautiful smile for life, you are going to need to make sure you wear your retainer. Your orthodontic treatment does not end once we remove your braces. Wearing your retainer is the final step in keeping your smile perfect.

Your teeth aren't set rigidly into your jawbone like you might think. They are held in place by bands of fibrous tissue called the periodontal ligaments. After your teeth have been moved into their ideal position by your braces it takes time for the periodontal ligaments to adjust. When you’re not wearing your retainer, pressure from your lips and tongue can cause your teeth to shift. Even if your teeth don’t look like they have moved, that doesn’t mean they haven’t. If you go without wearing your retainer for long periods of time, your teeth will continue to move until misalignment is visibly noticeable. If you don’t wear your retainer as prescribed, your teeth will move out of alignment and back into their original, crooked places…it will be like you never went through orthodontic treatment at all.

The retention phase of your treatment begins as soon as your braces are removed and lasts about two years. So, please wear your retainer as prescribed by Dr. Kelly. If you have any questions about the retention phrase of your orthodontic treatment, please don't hesitate to contact our St. Charles orthodontic office. A member of our friendly and knowledge team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Protect Your Enamel

Kelly Orthodontics

Braces provide patients with a spectacular tool for straightening smiles and correcting jaw problems that impact self-confidence and overall oral wellness. Your wires and brackets are fundamental to the treatment process, but they also can make it difficult to remove food particles that get stuck under and between your brackets and wires. Unfortunately, if this food is left to fester, the acidic content of the food can eat away at your tooth’s vital tooth enamel.

If you have braces, your smile can be prone to enamel erosion. Enamel erosion occurs when acid attacks the teeth and wears down the enamel. This can make your teeth vulnerable to tooth fractures and cavities. Pay special attention to cleaning your teeth every day. Permanent damage to tooth enamel can occur if the teeth and brackets are not kept clean.

To prevent enamel erosion, Dr. Kelly encourages you to:

• Avoid Acidic Foods and Beverages: Consuming acidic products can expose your smile to the acid that harms the teeth. So, it’s best to avoid consuming acidic foods and drinks as much as possible.

• Keep Your Teeth Clean: This includes regular brushing, an interdental brush, floss (and floss threaders) and possibly a water flosser to help you use the force of water to rid your mouth of stuck debris.

• Use Fluoride: Fluoride can strengthen your tooth enamel and help you avoid enamel erosion. Use a fluoride toothpaste and fluoride mouthwash whenever possible.

When it comes to taking care of your teeth with braces, one of the best things you can do is pay attention to what you are putting in your mouth. Thinking about what is coming in contact with your pearly whites can protect your teeth from erosion and decay.

Certain foods and beverages are more acidic than others. During orthodontic treatment, focus on eating foods that are both good for your body and your teeth.

Less tooth-friendly foods and drinks include: apples, cherries, oranges, peaches, pears, plums, pineapples, raspberries, tomatoes, pickles, soft drinks, and fruit drinks.

More tooth-friendly foods and drinks include: bananas, mangoes, melons, carrots, cucumbers, lettuce, milk, water, meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, crackers, and pasta.

If you like to learn more about how you prevent enamel erosion while wearing braces, our friendly staff at Kelly Orthodontics is available to train you in methods for keeping your teeth clean and strong. Please reach out to our orthodontic team at 630-584-9666. We look forward to talking with you!