1224 McFarland Blvd. NE Tuscaloosa, AL. 35406
205-750-0081
For years, Cowan and Whitaker Orthodontics have been creating beautiful smiles. You have worked so hard during your treatment. Let’s work together to keep that beautiful smile. Below are our recommendations. Keep up the excellent work!
A beautiful smile starts with clean teeth. Proper brushing and flossing keep your teeth and supporting gum tissue healthy and vibrant. Consider implementing the following practices into your routine.
After Dr. Cowan or Dr. Whitaker remove your braces, they will fit you with a retainer. Braces help make your teeth straight, and retainers help keep them straight. Teeth tend to move with time, and retainers help control this movement. Poor retainer wear will likely result in undesired movement and may require additional treatment to correct.
Dr. Cowan and Dr. Whitaker use two types of retainers.
You should brush your retainer every day! Sometimes life gets in the way. It might slip your mind here and there. For the most part, that shouldn’t cause any significant problems. But pay attention to your retainer. Look at it and inspect it after waking up and before bed. If it’s discolored or cloudy, it needs to be cleaned. If you observe a foul taste or smell, then it’s time for a cleaning.
A study published in Sports Health by Young, et al. indicated that the most common dental injuries in sports were:
The best way to prevent these injuries is to wear a mouthguard while playing non-contact sports such as baseball and softball. Mouthguards slip over the teeth and cushion them from blows and shock while you play. For that reason, mouthguards can substantially reduce the risk of dental injuries. Talk with Dr. Cowan or Dr. Whitaker to learn more about mouthguard options.
Still have questions about caring for your teeth after braces? Visit us here to schedule a free consult.
October 20, 2022
December 19, 2022