Keeping Teeth Straight after Braces

Wear your retainer faithfully. Your orthodontist will give you specific instructions on how to wear your retainer, the length of time, care instructions and more at the removal appointment. Teeth will tend to gravitate to original alignment, wearing your retainer will keep them in position.

​The top reasons people do not wear retainers are:

• They lose their retainer (this happens often)
• The retainer breaks
• The retainer gets old, and they don’t want to put it in their mouth (you will need to replace retainer occasionally)
• They haven’t worn it in a while and can’t get it into place anymore-this happens quickly (even a couple of nights without retainer)
• It wears out over time and doesn’t hold their teeth in the right place

If any of the above problems arise, please visit your orthodontist or dentist ASAP. A new retainer could be made to keep teeth from shifting any further. Who wants to go through another round of orthodontics??

If you think that a night or two without the retainer is not going to affect the teeth—think again. The retainer may not fit even after a couple of nights without wearing. If this happens, again please call your orthodontist and do not procrastinate.

If any questions arise, please call your orthodontist.