What are Retainers?

Retainers edina mn are the best way to keep your smile straight and healthy after orthodontic treatment. Straight teeth are not only more aesthetically pleasing but they are easier to clean and therefore are overall healthier. A well-aligned bite also makes biting and chewing easier, allowing for better digestion and absorption of nutrients. Retainers can also be used to treat other oral and dental issues such as speech impediments and breathing troubles.

Why do I need to wear a retainer?

After braces are removed or clear aligner therapy is completed, a retainer needs to be worn for up to 22 hours per day for up to a year. This helps the jaw bone strengthen around the teeth in their new position. You will eventually be able to wear your retainer only while you sleep. A retainer can be used for oral problems as well. Other benefits of a retainer include:

• Breathing improvement: if you or your child suffers from airway issues, a special retainer can be fabricated to not only keep teeth in place but to also help open the airway for easier breathing, especially in the sleeping hours.
• Speech problems: this is more beneficial to children who are developing their speech patterns, there are retainers that can help children adjust their tongue placement when they speak and train their mouths to form the proper patterns.

Learning to Make Your Retainer a Habit

All good habits take time to develop and wearing a dental appliance is certainly no exception. Even adults have trouble learning to sleep with a night guard or retainer and if your child has been given a retainer for either orthodontics or other oral problems, you can help them learn to comply with the doctor’s instructions. Here are a few things you can do to help your child:

• Designate a place for their retainer case so that they are less likely to misplace it and the retainers.
• Choose a large case or a carrier for their case that they will be able to see and remember to bring along wherever they go!
• Buy a case specifically for their lunchbox and keep it there! So many retainers have ended up in the trash can in the school cafeteria. This will give your child a place to put their retainers while they eat that isn’t a wadded up napkin.
• Learning to sleep with something in your mouth can be a huge challenge but with a little positive reinforcement, such as a small prize for making it through the whole night without taking their retainer out, could be an encouraging help for a week or two until they have developed a habit.

Retainers are no fun for anyone but especially for kids. With some encouragement from you and the inevitable compliments from friends and family as the results from the retainer begin to show, your child will be more confident!

More About Retainers : Fixed vs Removable Retainers