Retainers After Braces – All You Need To Know

Congratulations on having braced through the orthodontic ordeal that’s called braces. You finally have straight and aligned teeth. You are eager to proudly show off your newly straight, aligned teeth. You can’t wait to flaunt your straight, aligned teeth in person and in photos. But wait before you bid goodbye to your dentist. Your braces are coming off. But the treatment isn’t over just yet. You have to wear retainers after braces to keep your teeth in their new positions.

Got questions? Lots!

We’ve Got All Your FAQs Answered Right Here.

Read on.

1. Why Do I Need Retainers After Braces?

Months after your braces are removed, your teeth can move back to their original position. Your teeth and soft tissues need time to adapt to the changes in positioning. Retainers after braces help stabilise your teeth in the new arrangement. This technique greatly reduces the chance of your teeth shifting position or relapsing to their original position.

Retainers are most important for preteens and teens, as their bodies are still developing. Regular retainer use in patients of that age is important to ensure that wisdom teeth growth does not cause overcrowding or misalignment.

Other reasons to wear retainers after braces include:

• Making the right space for wisdom teeth.
• Stabilising the bite
• Helping with speech hindrances.

Wearing retainers is likely to prevent a relapse. And you’d need dental intervention in the next ten years or fewer. With retainers, you can prevent this. While retainers are surely an inconvenience, they are much better than going back to braces. A picture-perfect smile is well worth the minor inconvenience.

2. What Are The Types Of Retainers That I Can Wear After Braces?

Dentists can prescribe three types of retainers after braces are removed.

Bonded Retainers

These types of retainers are attached to your teeth. These are best for when you must wear your retainers all the time after braces removal.

Hawley Retainers

These are removable retainers. You can remove the Hawley retainers while eating or when cleaning them. However, follow your orthodontist’s instructions for these wire retainers.

Clear Plastic Retainers

Popularised in recent years, such retainers are moulded to fit the new positioning of your teeth. Made of clear plastic, these retainers are also removable and practically invisible.

Don’t confuse them with Invisalign, though. Invisalign is used to straighten the teeth. Clear plastic retainers keep your teeth in their new position. Which type of braces fits your needs varies on a case-by-case basis. Your dentist can best decide the most suitable type.

3. How Many Hours Per Day Do I Need To Wear The Retainers?

In the case of bonded retainers, you need to keep them on all day, every day, until your dentist decides otherwise. Your dentist will tell you how long to wear removable retainers if you get them.

For the first 4 to 6 months, you'll usually be asked to wear the retainers all day, except during meals and when you clean them. After that, you might be asked to wear the removable retainers only at night, when you sleep.

4. How Long Will I Have To Wear The Retainers?

It is common to have to use retainers indefinitely. After the first couple of months, you might have to wear your retainers at night. In such cases, you’d have to get your retainers replaced every couple of years.

However, that’s not universal. Your attending dentist is best equipped to guide you. Expect to be asked to wear the retainers for at least nine months after you are done with your braces.

5. What If I Default On Wearing The Retainers For Some Time?

Your teeth are constantly moving. Without retainers, they’d change position. And if you wear your retainers after a couple of days or weeks, they might not fit. This means you’d need new retainers.

But that’s not all.

Because your teeth have shifted from their ideal position, some of your braces treatment may have been undone in the process. So, make sure you always remember to wear your retainers as directed by your dentist.

6. How Do I Keep My Retainers Clean?

Unhygienic retainers can cause several oral health issues.

Use the following tips to keep your retainers clean:

• Every time you remove your removable retainers, clean them with lukewarm water.
• Rinse your retainers often to avoid buildup and deposits.
• You can also use specialised soaking liquids to soak and clean your retainers.
• Once a day, you can gently brush your retainers with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste.
• Do not use alcohol or bleach, as they can damage your retainers.
• If you are using clear plastic retainers, don’t use mouthwash or other staining liquids to clean or soak your retainers.
• If you find food deposits in your retainers, remove them with a clean cotton swab dipped in water.
• Never boil your retainers to sterilise them. Extremely hot water can affect the shape and fit of your retainers.
• Maintain proper oral hygiene. Brush and floss regularly, as your dentist recommends.
• Avoid food items that can cause cavities and dental damage.
• If you have bonded retainers, use a floss threader to clean any food particles that might have stuck in them.
• Use a warm, soapy rinse to clean your retainer case. This keeps your retainers free from dirt, germs, and bacteria.

Retain Your Perfect Smile With Retainers After Braces

Once you have the perfect smile, thanks to braces, you should make it permanent by using retainers as suggested by your attending medical expert.

At Natural Smiles, we teach you about retainers after braces, including their type, use, duration, and care.

To learn more and get advice based on your specific situation, schedule your consultation with our smile specialists today.