Do you have to wear your retainers forever?

Your retainers will help prevent this from happening as you age. To maintain a straight smile for a lifetime, you’re going to need to wear your retainers nightly for the rest of your life. The good news is, after some time it won’t be necessary to wear them as often.

When can I stop wearing my retainer forever?

After 12 months of continuous retainer wear, we often recommend that you to continue to wear your retainers at night 3-5 times a week for life. The reason we recommend this cycle of wear is due to the slow shifting of teeth forward and inward as we get older.

How many years do I have to wear my retainer?

You should wear your retainers nightly for at least a year. After that, you can shift your wear to every other night or so. After a few years, most individuals choose to wear theirs at night around three to five times a week.

Can I start wearing my retainer again after a year?

In most cases, wearing an old retainer can realign your smile so long as your teeth have not shifted into an entirely new position. As a rule of thumb, wearing an old retainer should not be an issue so long as it still fits without needing to apply any force while inserting it over your teeth.

What country has the straightest teeth?

With a DMFT score of 0.8, Sweden scores a spot among the top five. Its citizens have some of the cleanest, whitest, straightest teeth in the world.

How long do you really have to wear a retainer?

The amount of retainer wear that’s required following a person’s active orthodontic treatment will vary according to the specifics of their case. It can range from none, limited, prolonged to permanent. Limited retainer usage may involve just 3 months of full-time wear, followed by 3 months of nighttime-only use.

Should you wear your retainers every night for life?

Wearing a retainer as an adult can help keep a smile in place for years to come, so in some cases, it’s recommended to wear a retainer every night for the rest of your life. For children, a retainer can achieve a long-lasting smile when worn for at least 1 year.

What happens if I stop wearing my retainers?

If you stop wearing your retainer for a short time soon after your braces are removed (when everything is soft and not settled in) you could experience movement. Also, if your treatment was for a serious condition (like severe crowding or severely crooked teeth) your teeth could also be susceptible to movement.

Do I really need to wear my retainers?

No matter what treatment option you choose to go with, you will always need retainers. It is important to wear your retainer because as your body grows, your teeth do some shifting. The purpose of the retainer is to control the shifting which occurs naturally.