As you know, orthodontic treatments usually last for a long time, and patients should always protect and clean their orthodontic appliances. Fixed orthodontic appliances usually cause more problems and are more difficult to maintain, and most people prefer to use removable orthodontic appliances. However, your orthodontist decides to prescribe either fixed or removable orthodontic appliances. One undergoing removable orthodontics needs to follow certain tips to take care of his/her orthodontic appliances. When you begin to use a new removable orthodontic appliance, you may feel weird and fail to speak normally for the first few days. You should not be worry because any discomfort and speech problem will disappear after a while and you gradually get accustomed to your orthodontic appliance. Nevertheless, contact your eminent orthodontist in case of any abnormal problem with your orthodontic appliance. If not completely fit your teeth and oral cavity, the removable orthodontic appliance can interrupt the treatment process.
When should we use our removable orthodontic appliance?
You should use your removable orthodontic appliance all the time, even when eating. You should accustom yourself to using this appliance all day and night and in any situation at home, work, school, or even bed. You need to keep the removable orthodontic appliance inside your mouth most of the time because the position of teeth changes only under constant pressure applied by the appliance. The therapeutic result will be unsatisfactory if you repeatedly remove your orthodontic appliance.
The success of the orthodontic treatment depends on the long-term maintenance of teeth in a stable position. The removability of your orthodontic appliance does not mean that you can use or remove it whenever you want. The removability of an orthodontic appliance is a unique feature if you properly use such an appliance.
Use of removable orthodontic appliance during exercise
professional orthodontist usually recommend patients temporarily remove their orthodontic appliance during high-impact activities and sports. A good orthodontist may instruct you to keep your orthodontic appliance inside your mouth for at least 22 h a day. Before eating or exercising, remove your orthodontic appliance and keep it in its special bag. Notably, keeping the appliance in a piece of paper towel or anywhere other than its special bag can damage your orthodontic appliance.
Hygiene and maintenance of removable orthodontic
The orthodontic appliance and teeth should be regularly and carefully cleaned during the orthodontic treatment. After each meal, remove the appliance and then brush both your teeth and the appliance. Food particles remained between your teeth or beneath the appliance can cause dental problems and damage the appliance. Put the appliance in its special bag when cleaning your mouth and teeth. Your mouth is the best and safest place for an orthodontic appliance, and you are recommended to first carefully clean your teeth and mouth and then place the appliance on your teeth.
Fractures of removable orthodontic appliances
Orthodontic brackets are made of fragile materials, and you should always take care of them against fracture. If there is any problem with your orthodontic appliance, you can talk to your prominent orthodontist or refer to the clinic for possible repair and adjustment. Be careful not to manually make a change in your orthodontic appliance. If you feel the appliance is slightly tight, your teeth are probably changing the position. Therefore, you should visit your orthodontist to re-adjust your removable appliance. An eminent orthodontist is the only qualified person who can diagnose possible orthodontic and dental problems and make the necessary changes in your orthodontic appliance. The possible repairs or readjustments will not be certainly for free.
Therefore, it is better to take care of your removable appliance to prevent any damage or breakdown. Avoid eating foods that can change the position of teeth or the appliance such as sticky, crispy, and hard foods. Despite the easier application of removable orthodontic appliances than fixed ones, they are exposed to fractures, missing, and incompatibility with oral mucosa.