When you complete braces or clear aligners, it is an amazing achievement to finally see your dream straight smile. However, this does not mean orthodontic treatment is complete. From the day you get your braces removed, you enter a new phase of your treatment known as the retention phase.

The most important thing you can do after braces is wear your retainer. Teeth will naturally try to move back into their original position. Knowing why retainers are important after braces will help protect your investment, keep your bite aligned and keep your teeth straight for life.

How Teeth Move

To understand why retainers are important, you must know how teeth move. Each tooth is held in place by very small elastic tissues called periodontal ligaments which wrap around the root of each tooth and attach it to your jaw bone.

Pressure from braces cause pressure to be applied to your teeth which will begin to break down old bone on one side of the root. The other side of the root will form brand new bone. Allowing your teeth to move.

Periodontal ligaments act like strong rubber bands and will remember where your teeth were originally.

When your dentist removes your braces, the new bone formed around your teeth will still be soft and young. This means your teeth can easily move back into their original crooked position due to your elastic ligaments.

Orthodontic Relapse

This unwanted movement of your teeth is known as orthodontic relapse. It is a gradual process.

Your teeth are most at risk of moving back in the first 6-12 months after your braces are removed. This is because your jaw bone is becoming hard around your realigned teeth.

As we age our mouths change. Our jaw bone will shrink slightly and naturally our teeth will move forwards due to a process called mescal drift. This causes crowding of your lower front teeth even if you have never worn braces.

Retainers act as a supportive framework. They will keep your teeth in place whilst new bone mineralizes around your teeth, preventing any relapse.

Benefits Of Wearing Your Retainer

Wearing your retainer consistently will provide many benefits to your oral health and well-being.

  • Protect Investment – Orthodontic treatment takes a lot of time and money to complete. Wearing your retainer helps protect the investment you have made.

  • Bite Alignment – Wearing braces not only straightens your front teeth but helps correct your bite. Retainers will help ensure your bite remains correct to help you chew smoothly and prevent strain on your jaw.

  • Easier to Clean – Straight teeth with good spacing will be much easier to clean. Ensuring your teeth stay straight with your retainer will prevent crowding of your teeth reducing the chance of plaque, decay and gum disease.

  • Speech – Movement of your teeth can cause issues with your tongue touching your teeth. Wearing your retainer will ensure your speech remains clear.

Types Of Retainers

There are several types of retainers your orthodontist can provide depending on your lifestyle and alignment. Most retainers fall into two categories; removable or fixed.

Halley Retainers

These are the classic retainers. They consist of a strong acrylic base shaped to fit your palate or gum. Attached to the base is a strong metal wire which wraps around the front of your teeth. They are extremely strong, easy to clean and easy to repair.

Clear Plastic Retainers

These are molded plastic retainers (sometimes known as Es-six retainers). They fit over your teeth and due to their tight fit and clear appearance are very popular among st Adults and Teens.

Fixed Retainers

A very thin strong metal wire is bonded to the back of your front teeth by your dentist. As this is bonded to your teeth you will never forget to wear it or lose it.

How Long To Wear A Retainer After Braces?

One of the most common questions asked is how long you need to wear your retainer. The short answer is as long as you want your teeth to stay straight!

For the first 3-6 months after your braces are removed your orthodontist will likely advise you to wear your removable retainer for 22 hours a day. Taking it out only to eat, drink hot beverages, brush and floss.

Once your jaw has hardened around your teeth your orthodontist will allow you to wear your retainer only at night.

Teeth are living things and will move as you get older. To ensure you have perfectly straight teeth for decades you should wear your retainer every night for life.

How To Clean Your Retainer

A dirty retainer can cause bad breath, tooth decay and irritation to your gums due to bacteria, plaque and fungi. Taking care of your retainer will help keep it clean, fresh and clear.

Daily Cleaning

Brush your removable retainer with a soft toothbrush and mild dish soap or retainer cleaner. Do not use regular toothpaste as this can scratch the clear plastic.

Do Not Use Hot Water

Never soak or rinse your clear plastic retainers in hot or boiling water. This will cause the plastic to warp.

Cleaning Fixed Retainers

Use special threading floss or water flosses to remove any food or plaque that gets stuck under your retainer.

Storage

Always put your removable retainer in its plastic case whenever you take it out. Many people accidentally throw their retainer in the bin as they wrap it up in a paper napkin.

What To Do If Your Retainer Is Tight Or Damaged

If you notice your retainer feels tight it means your teeth are trying to move. Or your retainer needs repairing.

If your retainer feels tight when you put it in after missing a few nights your teeth have already started to move. Put your retainer in straight away and wear it consistently to help gently move your teeth back into place.

If your removable retainer breaks, cracks or goes missing call your orthodontist straight away. If you wait weeks to order a new one your teeth will have moved a lot meaning you may need new aligners.

If the wire on your fixed retainer comes off your dentist should see you asap. This can cause the tooth to move out of place quickly.

Top Tips For Wearing Your Retainer

  • Wear your removable retainer every night.

  • Always keep your removable retainer in its plastic case.

  • Keep your retainer well away from any pets in the house. Dogs love to chew plastic dental appliances.

  • Clean your retainer daily with mild soap and cold or room temperature water.

  • Brush and floss thoroughly around your fixed retainer wires every night.

  • Take your clear retainer out before eating.

  • Take your retainer with you to all of your 6 monthly checkups.

FAQs

Can a retainer move my teeth back into place?

A regular retainer can move your teeth back into place if they have only moved a little. However, if they have moved a lot due to not wearing your retainer for months then your retainer will no longer fit. You may need corrective aligners to straighten your smile again.

Will my teeth hurt when I wear my retainer?

Yes, it is normal for your teeth to feel a little pressure or sore when you first start wearing your retainer. Or when you put it back in after not wearing it for a few days. This means the retainer is applying pressure to your teeth to keep them in the correct position. This should go away after a few days of wearing it consistently.

How Often Should I Replace My Removable Retainer?

Removable retainers will not last forever. Clear plastic retainers will typically last between 1-3 years. Due to wear, pressure from biting and stretching of the plastic. Halley retainers can last between 5-10 years or longer with good care. If you notice any deep cracks, heavy wear or it no longer fits well replace your retainer straight away.

What Happens If I Stop Wearing My Retainer?

If you stop wearing your retainer your teeth will start to move back into their original crooked position. As we age, we chew and our muscles move our teeth will move out of place. This will ruin your braces and you will have to go through orthodontic treatment again.

Wearing your retainer after braces is the final step to keeping your teeth straight and healthy for life. Whilst your braces have moved your teeth into perfect place, your retainer will keep them firmly in place whilst your bone and ligaments heal. By wearing your retainer as instructed, keeping it clean and visiting your dentist regularly you will protect your hard work, keep your bite in place and have a confident beautiful s