My dentist told me i needed it only at night... and she told me that i should have it on as long as i can .... 2 years ago.

I was never too strict to myself about it... and havent been diligent for more than 1.5 years. So what should I do? Do you think it'll help to start frmo now? Cuz it still mostly fits... Do you think my teeth will go back without my having to go back to the orthodontist?

My orthodontist told me to wear it around 3 times a week for a while, but after that she told me I could pretty much where it whenever I wanted (and also told me that I didn't need check-ups anymore). Your teeth will have shifted for sure, but it won't be a huge deal if you can still "mostly" fit it. If you're really concerned, just keep wearing your retainer for a while, maybe every other day or something. You should feel like it's a tight fit, but when you wake up in the morning your teeth will have moved slightly, so they might feel a little sore. Keep at it though. When you feel comfortable again, start wearing it once a week or so...which is how often I wear it now.

Hm... I never had to wear a retainer or braces, I dunno how serious retainers are if negligent. If it still fits, then start using it, if you're planning to care for your mouth... listen to the dentist and don't neglect yourself.

usually your teeth can shift back to normal if you start using your retainers regularly again, but make sure if they fit properly. you'll definitely feel sore, like gigi said.

i'm really paranoid about my teeth shifting, so i still wear my retainers every night

^ Yeah, that's what I do too. My teeth feel a tiny bit sore every morning, but not enough to make me not want to wear retainers anymore.

okay thank you ^ ^ i feel so much better! i wore it last night to sleep and my teeth DID feel sore. so im going to wear it every night ^ ^. thanks for the help!!

I barely wore it, and my orthodontist said that my progress was excellent. Boy, nothing gets by him. He'd be the last person I'd ask to serve as chief interrogator for captured Soviet spies, as harsh as that sounds.

I'm pretty sure it'll go back to the way it was if you wear it everyday before bed. I mean, they do still fit you.

Yeah you should wear it at night everyday for atleast 2 weeks or so. Then your teeth can get used to it again. After that, if your teeth didn't or doesn't shift that much.. just wear it 2 or 3x a week at night when you sleep.

some orthodontists recommend wearing it for life.

how often do you guys replace your retainer? I know it can get dirty sometimes and brushing doesn't always work. If you put it in hot water, it'll melt

i never got retainers before...but i want them. to pop them in and out. XD

My orthodontist told me that when my retainer breaks (because it will), I don't need to replace it anymore. By that time it'll be fine. Although if you're really particular you could get another one.

I don't replace my retainer unless something's wrong with it (like above, if it was broken or didn't fit or something). One of the assistants suggested I buy those false teeth cleaning tablets.

Gahh! I hate wearing my freakin retainers >.< I have both top & bottom retainers too...oh goody for me

Anyways, I haven't really been wearing them like I should but what I do like about them is that I can tighten/loosen them to my liking (but I am supposed to tighten top every 2 weeks;bottom every month equivalent to a yr).

Another reason is cuz I don't really have a proper case to use/carry the retainers. I am currently using a denture bath as my case but its so big & clunky that it won't fit in my bag. Btw where can I buy actual retainer cases?

If you need a case, just go ask an orthodontist.



I only have one retainer because I only had braces on my top teeth.

i read this sign at my ortho.
that retainers only hold your teeth in place.
they dont shift your teeth.
your braces did that.
something like that. but idk.
&i still wear retainers like every night.

I feel guilty now, I rarely wore my retainers when I had them. But my teeth are still okay, they didnt shift that much.

I haven't worn my retainer in a few years. My teeth have shifted a little bit. The best part of it all is I got my braces for free, due to family in the dentists office. If they knew my teeth shifted they'd be pissed they did all that work for nothing.

If your teeth can still fit in, then start wearing them regularly before they don't fit anymore.