What happens if you get braces and don’t wear retainers?

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Normally, after finishing orthodontic treatment, we will have to wear retainers to maintain the position of our teeth, whether it is clear or metal retainers. However, many people tend to forget to wear them, lose them so often that they don’t wear them often, feel that taking care of the retainers is difficult, or misunderstand that wearing the retainers for another year or two is enough. But in fact, after finishing orthodontic treatment, we should wear retainers for life, during the time that we can wear them, because otherwise, the teeth will move back to the original position, ufabet http://ufabet999.app which will waste time and money on getting braces again.

What is a retainer?

Retainers are devices that dentists make for patients to wear. After orthodontic treatment is complete or braces are removed to maintain the teeth in their new positions. Before we look at how not wearing a retainer can affect your teeth, let’s get to know the types of retainers:

Types of retainers

  • Clear retainers are a clear plastic sheet that covers only the mouthpiece, without the roof of the mouth. This does not interfere with speech and you can’t see the metal when you smile. They are suitable for people who want a formal image at work. But they have a short lifespan and are easily damaged. Saliva can get trapped in the retainer, are difficult to clean, cannot be adjusted and must be redone, and are not suitable for people who brux.
  • Metal retainers or wire retainers are the most common type of retainer. They last longer, are inexpensive, can be custom-made with acrylic, and are easier to clean than clear retainers, but the wire may be visible when you smile.
  • Fixed retainers or permanent retainers use a twisted wire that curves to follow. The shape of your teeth and is attached to the inside of your teeth. It cannot be removed. If you want to remove it, the doctor must remove it for you. It is not visible when you smile. You do not have to worry about forgetting to wear it. It has a long lifespan, but food particles get stuck more easily and oral care is more difficult.

If you get braces and don’t wear retainers, what effects will they have on your teeth?

Naturally, teeth can move throughout life, whether we have braces or not. However, for those who have had braces, the movement of teeth will be more obvious than those who have never had braces. The amount of movement depends on the individual and the number. Of days that they have been forgotten, as follows:

  • If you forget to wear your retainer for 1-4 days, your teeth probably won’t have any problems. But if you remember, you should put your retainer in right away.
  • Forget to wear the retainer for 1 week-1 month. When you put it back on, you may feel a little tight. If the retainer fits your teeth well as usual, it is still okay. However, if the retainer is too tight to wear or does not feel the same, it means that the teeth have moved out of alignment. You should consult a dentist immediately to fix and adjust the retainer immediately.
  • If you don’t wear your retainer at all, to the point. Where it doesn’t fit anymore, it means that your teeth have changed position from their original position and cannot be fixed by wearing a retainer. If you want your teeth to return to their original beauty, you may need to get braces again.

In summary, if you get braces and don’t wear retainers, you risk your teeth falling out.

Wearing a retainer after braces is very important. And necessary and must not be forgotten. This is to maintain the shape of your teeth for a long time. Although it may feel inconvenient during the first year, you should wear the retainer for at least 22 hours, except when eating and brushing your teeth. During 1-2 years, you can wear it only when going to bed because your teeth start to stabilize. After that, you may change to wearing it every other day while sleeping.