How Long Do I Have to Wear My Retainer?

It is suggested that you wear your retainer at least 12 hours each day for the first eight weeks after completing your treatment. This rigorous wear is especially important once your teeth have been shifted to a new place since they are the least stable and more prone to moving. 

After eight weeks of wearing dental retainers for half of the day, and with your orthodontist's clearance, you can start wearing them just at night. Wearing them more frequently than only at night is never a terrible idea, as long as you take them out to feed and clean them properly. 

Teeth are rather active, so unless they are maintained in place, they will continue to change with time. You certainly do not want your gorgeous smile to change, therefore, retainers are the solution. According to studies, teeth change throughout your life, not only after treatment, thus obtaining braces or Invisalign does not guarantee a flawless smile for life.

Why Do I Need a Retainer?

Though your smile may be precisely as you expected, your mouth will need to adjust to your orthodontic treatment before it can fully benefit. Appliances like braces or Invisalign may appear to be the only tools needed for a beautiful, healthy smile, but a retainer is required to help your teeth adjust to their new position. 

If you do not use this appliance, your teeth may revert back to their original alignment. Teeth are prone to movement, and it is not unusual for patients who do not use their retainer to require further treatment because their teeth have gotten crooked or crowded again.

Nightly Wear

You should wear your retainers every night for at least a year. After that, you can wear it every other night. After a few years, most people prefer to wear theirs at night three to five times a week. Some people's teeth shift more than others, so be sure you're following the right schedule for you. If your retainers feel tight when you put them on, it might mean that your teeth are shifting while they are off, and you should start wearing them more regularly.

Replacing Your Retainer

Because retaining your teeth in place puts stress on your retainer, most of these types of retainers must be replaced on a regular basis. When you find your retainer cracking, loosening, or breaking, you should replace it immediately. 

A permanent retainer, on the other hand, is only replaced if it is not properly cared for. When properly kept for, a permanent retainer can last up to 10 years. If you have not been wearing your retainer consistently, you should arrange an appointment with your orthodontist so that they can track how much shifting has happened and get you a replacement as soon as feasible. It is not unusual for people to lose their retainer, and it is preferable to replace this appliance rather than hiding from your orthodontist or skipping treatment. If it hasn't been too long, you may be eligible for Invisalign Express instead of having to resume treatment entirely. 

Hygiene

With each type of retainer, it is critical to understand why and how to clean it. Without the right cleaning approach, you risk introducing germs and plaque into an otherwise clean mouth. Removable retainers are prone to warping in hot water, so use lukewarm water and clean thoroughly with a gentle toothbrush.

Permanent retainers cannot be washed with water or immersed in a cleaning solution. Instead, use a floss threader at least once a day, and be extra vigilant during dental cleaning sessions, since this sort of container is cleaned most completely using specialized instruments.