How Long Do I Need to Wear a Retainer After Braces?

You know how when you do a deep clean of your house, you have to tidy up once in a while to maintain it? Keeping a new smile in place after braces is a similar process, only the “tidying” is left to a retainer. Dudley Smiles is going to break down how long you need to wear a retainer after braces.

A Piece of the Puzzle

Your retainer has a lot of functions, some of which you may not even think about at first! Here are a few benefits of retainers we want to remind you of:

• Preserving Your Investment: It’s no secret that orthodontic treatment can be a long process, one that takes a lot of commitment and patience. Naturally, protecting these results should be top of mind for any patient—and that’s exactly what a retainer does. 
• Preventing New and Old Problems: After your active orthodontic treatment concludes, teeth can shift over time without further intervention. Wearing a retainer helps keep your teeth evenly spaced, as well as your bite aligned, which is important for both aesthetics and oral health.
• Support Speech Clarity: Speech correction or changes is a pretty common result of orthodontic treatment, since properly aligned teeth contribute to clear speech. Retainers help keep speech patterns consistent after orthodontic treatment.

Different Periods of Wear

Generally speaking, a retainer’s use varies from patient to patient, largely dependent on what stage they’re in during the retention phase (when the main appliance comes off for good). Here’s a summary of some of these stages:

• 14 Hours (First 6 Months): Since this period of time is usually when teeth run the highest risk of shifting back into their previous positions, most patients need to wear their retainer at least 14 hours per day for the first six months after braces come off. This ensures everything is properly stabilized. If you are in school, we recommend you don’t wear your retainer to school, but any time you are home wear the retainer. For sure, sleep with your retainer in!
• Nighttime Use (After the 6 months): Once the 14 hour phase is complete, most patients transition to wearing their retainer only at night. Consistent nighttime ensures your teeth remain in their corrected positions.
• Long-Term Wear (Ongoing Maintenance): Many patients will need to continue their retainer use in some capacity indefinitely. 

Dr. Dudley will be able to provide you with a customized treatment plan when you first visit us that will lay out your individual treatment timeline. If your plan will require any additional accommodations for your retainer use, we’ll let you know well in advance.

Best Practices for Retainer Use

Finally, we’re going to review some best practices to keep in mind for how to use your retainer effectively. Just like your active orthodontic treatment, there are some things you can do to enhance your overall experience. 

1. Follow Your Wear Schedule: To avoid reversal of treatment or other issues, stick to the wear schedule provided to you, depending on what stage of treatment you’re in.
   • Tip: We recommend setting reminders on your phone or use a calendar to keep track of when you should be wearing your retainer.
2. Handle with Care: Wire retainers are quite delicate and can be misshapen if you aren’t very careful. Always handle them mindfully and store them in a retainer case when not in use to prevent loss or damage. We have a favorite saying: “If the retainer’s not in your face, it’s in your case!”
   • Tip: Avoid placing your retainer in your pocket without a case or leaving it out on a counter.
3. Remove When Eating or Drinking: Always remove your retainer when you’re snacking. Food particles can get trapped and cause foul odors, and sugary drinks can lead to bacteria buildup, increasing the risk of cavities.
   • Tip: Place your retainer in a case before meals to avoid accidentally throwing it away.
4. Clean Your Retainer Daily: Retainers, like any removable appliance, can develop lots of bacteria—so it’s important to clean them regularly. Rinse with lukewarm water after each use, gently brush with a soft toothbrush.
   • Tip: We suggest using a retainer-safe cleaning solution once a week to ensure it stays fresh and hygienic.
5. Attend Regular Check-Ups: Routine check-ups are essential for your long-term orthodontic health. They allow us to make sure that your new smile is staying on track and address any issues that might arise.
   • Tip: Take note of any questions or concerns to bring up to Dr. Dudley during your check-ups.

A New Normal

To any patients who are concerned about the process of using a retainer, you shouldn’t be! It’s a natural progression of the treatment you’ve undergone for months or years, and makes sure those results stay looking fabulous.

Dr. Dudley makes sure his treatment stands out from all the rest—by using amazing technology, working with patients of all ages, and making sure every patient is thrilled with their new smile. We can’t wait to see you soon in Issaquah!