Why Do I Need To Wear My Retainers After Braces?

Retainers are custom made devices to hold your teeth in place. They are often used after orthodontic treatment to keep your bite in place.

How Many Hours A Day Do You Need To Wear A Retainer?

Your dentist will advise you on the length of time you need to wear your retainer after having your braces removed, but the general rule is to wear them full time for the first three months. This means you will only remove them to eat or brush your teeth. After three months, it is recommended to wear them every night. Basically, you need to continue to wear your retainer for as long as you want a beautiful smile, otherwise it is inevitable that they will shift back into their original position.

Why Do I Need To Wear My Retainer?

After having your braces, your teeth have been moved to the perfect position, but it takes time to stabilise them. If you don’t wear your retainer, your teeth will shift back into their old placement. This is known as relapsing. If you don’t wear it, it is likely that you will need orthodontic treatment again.

Although it might seem annoying at first, it will soon become a part of your routine to wear your retainer. When considering the alternative of having braces again, it seems like the better option.

After a couple of years, you may need a new retainer. If this is the case and you need a replacement, call us on 01723 670500 to book an appointment. The dentist will take an impression of your mouth which is given to the lab to then make you a new retainer.