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Dental hygiene tips for healthy teeth & gums
Can I wear my retainers during the day?
Retainers are a vital part of your orthodontic treatment. With braces or Invisalign, your teeth move to the optimum position, and a retainer will stabilize that position.
Rebuilding the bone and securing teeth in the new position takes at least twelve months. That is why the first year of orthodontic treatment is very crucial. A retainer will retain the teeth in position, preventing relapse.
How long should you wear a retainer?
Once you are introduced to retainers after completing orthodontic treatment, you will have to wear retainers full time, approximately 22 hours each day.
That means you will have to sleep with retainers on. During the initial phase of your treatment, you can remove retainers only while eating or brushing your teeth.
After the first three months, retainers have to be worn for at least 12 hours for the next nine months, day or night, depending on what your orthodontist suggests.
Wearing a retainer makes sure you have a straight and beautiful smile for the rest of your life. After the first year, your doctor might ask you to wear the retainer for 8 hours daily.
Can I wear retainers during the day only?
The duration and schedule for your retainers depend on the phase of treatment you are currently in. If you have just started using retainers, you must wear those for at least 22 hours. As the treatment progresses, your doctor will be in the best position to help you schedule your retainer timing.
Patience is the key
Retainers, or braces for that matter, seem like a big commitment. But it gets easier once you know that you have a beautiful smile waiting for you at the end of the road.
Understand that your orthodontist can help you in the best way possible. In case of any doubts or requests regarding the retainer schedule, reach out to your orthodontist.