After months or years of wearing braces, you naturally have been anxiously waiting for the moment you can see your new and improved smile. So, when you hear you have to wear a retainer, your enthusiasm may fade, causing you to wonder if it is really necessary. In short, it’s not only necessary, it’s essential to keeping your teeth in their perfectly aligned positions from here on out! Keep reading to learn three important reasons to wear your retainer now and for years to come.
3 Reasons Why Wearing Your Retainer Is Important
Whether you’ve misplaced your retainer and are contemplating if a replacement is necessary or yours is still in good shape and you’re simply considering wearing it less, here are three things to keep in mind:
- Relapse can happen right after treatment – Remember, braces are designed to shift your teeth into their perfectly aligned positions, but only the retainer can keep them there. Since your teeth haven’t “set” yet, neglecting to wear yours can lead to orthodontic relapse, even if you only recently had your braces removed.
- Protect your investment – Braces require an investment of both your time and money – don’t let that go to waste! Wearing your retainer will help keep your teeth nice and straight, preventing your valuable dollars and time from going to waste.
- Keep your confidence high – One of the biggest perks of braces is that they can seriously improve your self-esteem. When orthodontic relapse occurs, your confidence may wane in response.
How Often Should You Wear Your Retainer?
Ultimately, the proper wear time will be determined by your orthodontist. Immediately following your braces removal, you’ll most likely be asked to wear them for 20-22 hours a day. After your teeth have “set” in place, you can wear them solely at nighttime. For optimal results, this should be a lifelong practice.
Keep Your Retainers Fresh with These 5 Tips
Ideally, your retainers should last for 5+ years at a time. To avoid needing a replacement every few months or years, implement the below best practices:
- Always remove them when eating and completing your oral hygiene routine.
- Brush them nightly with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Soak them weekly in a dentist-recommended cleaner.
- Never use hot water to clean them (this can warp their shape).
- Keep them in a designated storage case to prevent them from breaking or accidentally getting thrown away.
Once you get your braces off and see your beautiful new smile, you’re going to want to do whatever you can to keep it in pristine condition. For this reason, one of your top priorities should be to wear your retainer regularly!
About the Practice
At Simply Orthodontics, we don’t just straighten your teeth; we help you keep them that way with custom-made retainers! Our skilled orthodontists will use these small, but effective, appliances to help you prevent orthodontic relapse, preserving your investment and your beautiful smile in the process. If you have a question about retainers, need a replacement one, or want to start orthodontic treatment, don’t hesitate to visit our website or call (508) 281-5188.