Questions Asked About Retainers!

How many hours per day do you need  to wear a retainer?

You'll be wearing your bonded retainer all day and night if you have one. The restrictions are slightly different if you have a detachable retainer. Depending on your individual treatment needs, you may receive various instructions.

According to the Canadian Association of Orthodontists, during the first 4 to 6 months after your braces are removed, you should wear your detachable retainer full time, except for mealtimes and cleanings.

However, according to a 2010 poll of orthodontists, many recommend wearing your detachable retainer at all times for at least 9 months after braces are removed.

After a few months have passed and your orthodontist has given you the green light, you may be allowed to stop wearing your retainer at night.

How long do you need to wear a retainer after getting your braces removed?

Over 58 percent of orthodontists prefer to prescribe detachable retainers after braces treatment is completed, according to the 2010 poll stated above.

The majority of responses suggested wearing these retainers every day for 9 months and then nightly after that.

You'll need to wear a retainer for the rest of your life, though you may need to renew it after a few years.

Permanent lingual retainers, which you maintain in your mouth for the rest of your life, are prescribed by 40% of the respondents.

Regardless of the type of retainer your orthodontist suggests, you'll almost certainly be told to keep wearing it eternally.

What happens if I don't wear my retainer?

Your teeth shift throughout your life. If you've ever worn braces, you're aware that the position of your teeth in your mouth can vary as a result of factors such as your age and the use of orthodontic appliances.

Simply because your orthodontic treatment is completed does not guarantee that your teeth will remain in position.

If you don't wear your retainer as directed by your orthodontist, your teeth will begin to shift back into their original position. This is referred to as relapsing. If you don't wear your retainer, you might need orthodontic treatment again in ten years, if not sooner.

If you try to go a few weeks or months without using your retainer, your teeth may shift and your retainer will no longer fit properly.

What's the best way to keep your retainer clean?

Keeping your retainer clean helps to keep your teeth healthy. It can also help to lengthen the life of a removable retainer.

How to keep a Bonded retainer clean

Cleaning a bonded retainer should be part of your regular oral hygiene practise. Because a fixed retainer can't be removed, you'll need to floss it (along with the front of your teeth) with a floss threader.

It'll take some time to get the hang of it, but you'll get the hang of it. To get rid of any plaque accumulation or food particles surrounding your fixed retainer, slant your toothbrush vertically as well as horizontally.

How to keep a removable retainer clean

Every time you remove your removable retainer, clean it with lukewarm water. Food will not solidify on your retainer if you rinse it with your saliva while it is still moist.

You can buy a special soaking product to soak your retainer in between uses if your orthodontist recommends it.

Once a day, you should scrub every part of your retainer with a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste. However, be cautious because many toothpastes are abrasive and can harm your retainer. Consult your orthodontist for recommendations on which type to use.

If food gets stuck in your retainer, wipe it out with a clean cotton swab dipped in water. Do not put your retainer in the dishwasher or boil it in water.

Happy Smile!