What Happens If You Never Take Off Your Braces?

Dental braces are tools used in orthodontic treatment to help align and straighten teeth in order to improve the appearance and functionality. People invest in dental braces so they can correct misaligned teeth, improve oral health, and boost their teeth aesthetics.

Deciding to get braces in order to improve the alignment and appearance of the teeth is a long-term commitment. Typically, the treatment requires patients to wear the braces for a certain period of time. However, most patients end up wearing their braces longer than the recommended period. As a result, they experience a negative effect on their oral health. If you decide to get braces, it’s highly recommended that you first talk with your cosmetic dentist to learn about all the necessary steps and care requirements for optimal results.

The Problem With Wearing Braces Too Long

While braces are an effective way to straighten teeth, they can create a variety of oral hygiene issues if proper measures are not taken. Whether you have traditional metal, ceramic, or clear braces, keeping them on for longer than necessary can result in harming your oral health.

One of the major issues with wearing braces is being unable to maintain proper oral hygiene. Even when the person wearing the braces does brush and floss regularly, the food particles that get stuck between the brackets and wires can be hard to remove completely. Over time, when these particles accumulate, it can cause plaque to build up, which will then eventually turn into tartar. Tartar is hard to clean with a standard toothbrush, and it can increase the risk of gum disease and tooth decay.

Moreover, wearing braces too long may also foster the chance for soft tissue injuries. Experienced cosmetic dentists know how to keep a check on this issue. If you are never taking out your braces, and you are wearing them longer than necessary, it can harm your oral health rather than improve it. The area of and around your lips, gums, and inner cheeks in contact with the metal component of the braces may start to feel sore.

Other Alternatives

Dental braces offer an effective solution for orthodontic problems. The good news is that traditional braces aren’t the only option to fix tooth misalignment. Invisalign is a set of hard plastic aligners that serve the same purpose as metal braces. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign can be easily removed for eating and cleaning the mouth. This allows you to maintain proper dental hygiene and while effectively correcting your alignment. Moreover, with Invisalign, you can avoid most of the issues that you would experience with traditional braces.

If you have been considering Invisalign to improve your smile, but are concerned about the risks, benefits, or other aspects of the treatment, contact Southshore Dental to schedule a consultation. We can help you decide the best treatment option for you.