If you have had braces to straighten your teeth, your orthodontist will have given you a teeth retainer to wear once the braces are removed, but how long do you need to wear it for? 

Firstly, it’s important to understand the purpose of a retainer – namely to ensure your teeth don’t move after you’ve had orthodontic treatment. Wearing a retainer on its own won’t move your teeth. Its purpose is to keep your teeth in place after you’ve had braces. 

Your orthodontist will tell you how long you need to wear your retainer for when you first have your braces removed. This will vary from person to person and will depend on the kind of work you’ve had. 

In the first three to six months after your treatment, you may be advised to wear your retainer during the day as well as overnight, only removing it when you eat or clean your teeth. As a general rule, however, you’ll be advised to wear your retainer every night for at least 12 months. 

Thereafter, you can reduce how often you wear your retainer. However, the only way to ensure your teeth remain straight is to wear a retainer part-time for life. 

What should I do if I lose my retainer?

Given that you won’t be wearing your plastic retainer all the time, it is possible to misplace it. If this should happen, don’t panic. You can buy a new, custom-fit retainer that will ensure your teeth stay in place. 

As a general rule, you’ll need to replace your retainer when it’s showing signs of wear – such as chips or cracks – if it no longer fits your mouth properly, or if there is too much build up of calcium in it. 

If you care for your retainer well and clean it regularly, it can last several years. And, as we’ve mentioned, retainers often get lost, in which case it’s important to buy a new one as soon as possible.