Don’t Underestimate The Importance Of Your Retainer

The day a patient has their traditional metal braces removed is exciting. We often hear that our patients have a celebration meal planned with all of the foods that were restricted during treatment. Patients who wear clear aligners are thrilled when they’re reached the last set of trays. However, a patient’s joy is sometimes fleeting once they learn they must now wear a retainer. Read on to learn about why it is essential to wear your retainer.

Why Do You Need a Retainer?

Some patients are surprised to learn that they are required to wear a retainer following orthodontic treatment. Teeth love to shift out of place. You know this to be true if you are receiving orthodontic treatment for the second time. Since teeth are prone to move, we need to provide structure to keep them in place, especially because the teeth got so used to shifting around during treatment. One of the biggest challenges we face is when patients wear their retainers only for a short time and eventually phase it out. Unfortunately, once teeth begin to shift and your retainer no longer fits comfortably, you can’t wear it anymore.

Be Responsible With Your Retainer

We encourage every patient to know where their retainer is at all times. You cannot eat while you’re wearing a retainer. So, when it’s time to eat, store your retainer in a case and not wrapped in a tissue or napkin. Retainers are too often mistakenly tossed in the trash. If your retainer is damaged or lost, be sure to contact our office as soon as possible.

If you have any questions about your retainer, or you experience a problem, contact our office, located in Southfield, MI, and we will be happy to help.