The Importance of Wearing a Retainer | Family Dentist, Wichita, KS

While braces initially work to straighten your teeth, they, unfortunately, don’t guarantee that your results will be long-lasting. The only absolute way to ensure your results remain permanent is to use your retainer consistently. Failure to comply with wearing a retainer will not only result in your teeth shifting back to their original position, but it will have been a significant waste of time and money. Aside from maintaining your smile, retainers can help treat speech impediments by adjusting a patient’s tongue placement and can improve chewing, helping the body process nutrients better.

Ultimately, you should continue wearing your retainer indefinitely—it’s no secret that a straight smile is a lifetime commitment! With this in mind, it is especially important to wear your retainer as often as possible during the first three to six months following the removal of your braces to help solidify the new positioning of your teeth. While forgetting to wear your retainer for a day or two most likely won’t result in significant alignment issues, it may lead to the gradual movement of your teeth. After you have had your braces off for six months, it is widely recommended to wear your retainer each night!

In order to maintain a healthy smile, you must also take the proper steps to care for your retainer. Because bacteria can quickly accumulate in the mouth, causing damage to the teeth, ensure that your retainer is well-maintained and sanitary. Before and after each use, rinse your retainer in cold water, and store it in a dry plastic container when not in use. Avoid washing your retainer with warm or hot water as it can cause it to shrink, and keep it away from pets that can easily destroy it. Additionally, our family dentists in Wichita recommend thoroughly washing your retainer with a specialized cleaner every couple of months!