Teenage fix

What do Tom Cruise, Jodie Foster and Brooklyn Beckham all have in common? They’ve all undergone visible orthodontic treatment – although Tom is the odd one out since he wore his braces as an adult. As oral healthcare professionals, it is heartening to see any news item or public figure that promotes dental treatment in a positive light, because it makes it so much easier for us to help our patients. But awareness of retainers and the fact that people in the media are wearing them is only half the story. There is still a lack of understanding about the significance of oral hygiene before, during and after the braces come off.

When it comes to teeth straightening treatment, most people assume that retainers are purely for children and teenagers. However, despite the obvious advantages at any age – a more attractive smile and so improved self-confidence, for example – it is particularly important for younger patients to have properly aligned teeth for healthy development of the face and jaws. In addition to this, improved occlusion assists the eating process and as such aids digestion, while straighter teeth are much more straightforward to clean, and accordingly the risk of oral disease is reduced.