Once active treatment is complete and braces are removed, patients often think that is the end of their orthodontic treatment. However, there is one final treatment stage utilized in orthodontics to ensure the longevity of your new smile.

Retention is the passive treatment period following active orthodontic correction where retaining appliances are used to hold teeth in the corrected position.

This retention process takes time, often ranging from months to years, which makes patient compliance so important. In fact, the retention phase is sometimes deemed as one of the most difficult stages in the orthodontic treatment process. If retainers aren't worn as instructed by Dr. Kattner, then teeth may start to migrate back to their original positions. It's up to the patient to make sure this doesn't happen. In some instances, long-term to permanent retention may be necessary to guarantee the stability of your treatment plan.

Retainer care is just as vital as wearing the appliance itself. Keeping them clean and handling them carefully are important for the longevity of the retainer.

Teeth need time to adapt to the corrected position, and by following through with the retention phase, you can keep your smile as healthy and beautiful as the day your braces came off.

• Don't make the mistake of thinking baby teeth don't need as much care as permanent ones. Even though they're eventually lost, they do an important job of holding a place in your child's mouth for the permanent teeth.
• Until they're old enough for an infant-sized toothbrush, clean your baby's teeth with a dampened piece of gauze or washcloth.
• Once your child is old enough, help her/him to use a child-sized toothbrush. (Use only a 'pea' sized dot of fluoride toothpaste and don't allow your child to swallow it.)
• Around age six your child should be coordinated enough to brush her/his own teeth with an appropriate sized, soft-bristled toothbrush.
• Brush at least twice a day, supervising while your child is young.
• Replace toothbrushes every three months and never allow sharing.
• If your child has been ill, replace their toothbrush as soon as they're feeling better.
• Check to make sure that your child is brushing properly. Don't let them brush too fast or hard or miss areas.
• Your child's teeth should be flossed at least once a day. By age nine, most children will have the skill to floss on their own.
• Eat nutritious foods and drink healthy beverages. Limit snacks, especially sugary or sticky sweets that cling to teeth. The best time to eat sweet foods is with a meal or at the end of a meal, when natural salivation will wash most of them away.
• By age one, have your child checked by a dentist. There are many books that can help you make your child's first dental visit a treat instead of a scare.
• Your child should have an orthodontic check-up by age seven. Many potential problems can be more easily and economically fixed during growing years.
• Once permanent teeth have come in, talk to your dentist about dental sealants and fluoride treatments.
• Get regular dental check-ups and cleanings.
• Gums should not bleed after flossing or brushing. (This can be a sign of poor oral hygiene or nutritional deficiency.)
• If your child has trouble using dental floss, try an interdental cleaner. Your dentist can recommend one and instruct your child on proper use.
• Make sure your child uses a professional mouth guard for sports and play. While it won't prevent cavities, a guard can keep your child's teeth from being damaged. (Almost one third of all dental injuries happen in sports accidents.)

Wendy Bereczky, Dr. Kattner's office manager, has been part of the Kattner Orthodontic team for 11 years.  You will see Wendy sitting at the front desk every time you come into our office, ready to greet you and help you in any way.  Wendy was born and raised in Waukegan, and met her husband Dave while attending Waukegan High School.  Wendy and Dave recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversay with an Alaskan Cruise. They were aboard the Diamond Princess ship for a relaxing 8 days.  Wendy and her husband have two grown sons who each work as IT Techs in the Lake County area.  They also have 2 other "children", their Boxers, Merry (Christmas) and Trooper.  The Bereczky Family loves to go camping in their 36 foot Mountaineer and create memories with their friends and family.