It’s incredibly important to wear your dental retainer after orthodontic treatment. Retainers maintain the improved position of your teeth.
Lifetime nightly wear of your retainer will keep your teeth straight and protect the investment that you’ve made in your smile. Keep reading to learn more about wearing your retainer.
How Often Will I Need To Wear My Retainers?
Dr. Rudman will tell you how often you need to wear your retainer when your braces come off or you finish with your Invisalign® treatment. Most people need to wear their retainer consistently for several weeks, removing them only to eat, brush, and floss. However, retention protocols vary by case.
After wearing your retainer around the clock for several weeks, Dr. Rudman will likely suggest that you only wear it at night. Some people gradually reduce their wear to 2-3 nights per week, which can be sufficient. Talk to Dr. Rudman about what is right for your specific situation.
Why Do I Need To Wear My Retainers?
Retainers are a crucial part of orthodontic treatment. If you don’t wear your retainer as instructed, you may start to see your straight smile slip away.
Your teeth can move out of position over time. That’s partly because of the elastic quality of the ligaments and tissues in your mouth and partly because teeth naturally shift with age. Retainer wear is particularly important right after orthodontic treatment because the ligaments, bone, and tissues surrounding your teeth will be adapting to the new alignment of your smile.
Are Retainers Uncomfortable?
Most patients find that it takes some time to get used to wearing retainers. Your retainer may feel tight at first and may be slightly uncomfortable. In a few days, however, your mouth should get used to it.
You can also expect some initial discomfort if it’s been a while since you last wore your retainer. Never try to jam or force a retainer onto your teeth if they have moved out of position significantly.
Other Questions? We’re Happy To Help!
At Advanced Orthodontic Care, our patients ask us all kinds of questions about dental retainers. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if there’s something you’d like to know.
Call 303-331-0222 today to arrange a free consultation with Dr. Robert Rudman, voted a 5280 Top Orthodontist for ten years running! Our practice serves Stapleton, Denver, Cherry Creek, and nearby Colorado areas.
