Picture this, you made a new years resolution to get in better shape. You started going to the gym every day and after consistently working out, you were in the best shape of your life. Now, imagine someone told you that in order to stay in shape, you no longer needed to go to the gym daily. Instead, you just needed to take a pill every night. If you took the pill at night you would stay in great shape, but if you did not take the pill you would lose the perfect fitness you worked so hard for. Most of us would agree to take the pill.
Orthodontic treatment and retainers are the same way. In this analogy, the orthodontic treatment (braces or Invisalign) is like you going to the gym consistently for a of couple years. The retainers are the magic pill you take at night. If you consistently wear your retainers at night, your teeth will stay straight. If you don’t, then your teeth will most likely shift.
So the answer to the common question of, “Do I really need to wear my retainers?” or “How long do I need to keep wearing my retainers?” is – YES! In order to keep your teeth straight, you need to wear yours retainers “at night time, for a lifetime.”
As you get older, your body continues to change. Just like your skin wrinkles as you age, your teeth will try to “wrinkle” or crowd and rotate as you age. Retainers are the only way to keep your teeth straight.
Just like the tires on your car, your retainers will wear down over time. You will need to get your retainers replaced occasionally in order to maintain your beautiful smile.
Our Recommendation: Keep wearing your retainers at night. Also, be sure to give your orthodontist a call if you have lost or broken your retainers, or if your dog ate your retainers (trust me, this happens more than you think).
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can call, email, or message us on social media.
Have a great day,
— Dr. Kirsten Frazier
