I Had Braces Years Ago as a Teenager. Should I Wear a Retainer at Night?
Posted on 7/15/2024 by Masci & Hale Advanced Aesthetic and Restorative Dentistry
The American Dental Association notes that nearly four million people get braces each year. Surprisingly, 25 percent of all people who wear braces are adults! Whether you had braces decades ago or you just got out of braces, you should continue to wear your retainer at night indefinitely. Here are some reasons you need to wear a retainer.
What Are Braces For?
Dentists use braces for a variety of mouth problems. If you had crooked teeth or teeth that were not spaced correctly, you may have worn braces. Braces are also used to fix malocclusions or issues with your bite. Braces are made of brackets, which our dentist cements onto your teeth. Then, they string wires in between the brackets. Each time you visit the dentist, they tighten the wires, which causes your teeth to straighten out and become perfectly spaced.
What Is a Retainer?
Once your braces treatment is complete, our dentist will give you a retainer that you need to wear at night. Retainers are usually made of plastic or acrylic, so they are light and strong. Usually, the retainer has a wire that goes across your upper or lower teeth. You will put the retainer in right before you go to bed, and you can then take it out when you wake up in the morning.
Should I Continue to Wear a Retainer?
If you have a retainer and you choose not to wear it, your teeth will begin to move around and shift positions. Over time, your teeth can shift to their original positions, which means all of your hard work will go to waste. Wearing a retainer at night ensures your teeth will remain in the proper position throughout your life.
What if you no longer have a retainer you can wear? If you have misplaced your retainer, you can always have another one made. Our dentist will need to make a mold of your teeth so that they can ensure your retainer fits perfectly. Your first step should be to contact our dentist to set up an appointment. Reach out to our office today.
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Masci & Hale Restorative Dentistry | Dentist Montgomery, NY Our experienced team offers patients a reason to smile via comprehensive dental exams, general and cosmetic dentistry, and teeth whitening. Learn more here! Masci, Hale & Wilson Advanced Aesthetic and Restorative Dentistry, 2134 State Route 208, Montgomery, NY 12549 ~ (845) 769-0160 ~ areasontosmile.com ~ 9/6/2024 ~ Page Keywords: dentist Montgomery NY ~
The American Dental Association notes that nearly four million people get braces each year. Surprisingly, 25 percent of all people who wear braces are adults! Whether you had braces decades ago or you just got out of braces, you should continue to wear your retainer at night indefinitely. Here are some reasons you need to wear a retainer. 
