Wearing a retainer is a very important stage in orthodontics, the wearing time also needs to be strictly followed according to the instructions. Is it okay if I forget to wear my retainer for a day? Let’s find the answer in the article below!
1. The role of the maintenance function
After finishing braces, there will be a maintenance phase where the doctor will prescribe wearing a retainer. This is to ensure that the results of braces are maintained and avoid letting the teeth move back to their old position because our teeth always tend to move throughout life. Therefore, wearing a retainer is very necessary.
There are two main types of maintenance functions:
– Removable retainer: A form of transparent or flexible plastic combined with metal to hug the dental arch.
– Fixed retainer: This is a piece of metal rod or retainer wire that is attached to the inside of the tooth. However, not everyone can use this type of jaw because it depends on the customer’s bite.
The time to wear a retainer ranges from 6 – 12 months or longer depending on tooth condition and age. But regardless of the type of retainer you use or the total time you wear it, you still need to wear it for the recommended amount of time.
2. Is it okay if I forget to wear my retainer for a day?
With a removable retainer, you can easily remove it yourself when eating or cleaning. This is also the reason why many people forget to put it back on after taking it off. Some people even forget to wear it all day because they don’t bring their jaws with them when they go out. So is it okay to forget to wear my retainer for a day?
As the article mentioned above, wearing a retainer for enough time is effective. But if you forget to wear your jaw for a day, there’s no need to worry too much, because this won’t cause any serious consequences. However, you should avoid repeating this situation many times so as not to affect the results.
3. Things to keep in mind when wearing a retainer
Below are some things to note when you wear a retainer, which is also useful information about retainers that you may be looking for. Let’s find out what that information is!
How to wear jaws
Each type of retainer will have different uses and ways to wear:
– With a fixed retainer: the doctor will be the one to attach it to your teeth, so make sure the retainer is attached properly.
– Removable metal retainer and removable plastic retainer: Manufactured separately to suit each customer. You just need to open your mouth wide, put the jaw into the oral cavity so that the tabs fit each tooth position. When taking it out, use clean fingers to gently remove the tray, clean it and put it in the container to avoid losing it.
Time to wear jaws
The recommended minimum wearing time is 6 months, worn for at least 17 – 18 hours a day and only removed when eating or cleaning teeth. After this time, you can just wear it while sleeping and gradually stretch it out until you only need to wear it every other day.
For cases where teeth are weak or tend to move a lot, you may need to wear a retainer longer to help stabilize the teeth. After the prescribed time has elapsed, the doctor will recheck and end wearing the retainer.
In addition, during the maintenance period, you still need to have regular follow-up examinations so that the doctor can understand the response ability of your teeth to ensure stable teeth and avoid relapse after braces.
Oral hygiene and jaw maintenance
While wearing braces, you need to pay attention to thorough oral hygiene. These hygiene habits should still be maintained after removing braces and entering the retainer phase. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day is the best way to keep your teeth clean. Some tools that can assist you in this are: water flosser, dental floss, interdental brush, mouthwash,…
Regarding how to clean the retainer, the simplest method is to use effervescent tablets to clean the braces tray. More conveniently, you can use a small amount of toothpaste to gently brush the entire jaw surface. After cleaning, you just need to wear the jaw again according to the instructions.
Diet
In general, after removing the braces, your teeth have become more even, the tooth condition has also been corrected, so you can completely eat and drink normally. You just need to avoid eating too much or overusing stimulants that are harmful to your teeth such as alcohol, cigarettes, carbonated drinks, etc. Substances in these foods can harm tooth enamel and affect your teeth. affects the color of teeth.
Above is the answer to the question “Is it okay to forget to wear my retainer for a day?” that many customers want answered. You have spent a long time wearing braces, so diligently wear your retainer so that your beautiful teeth can be maintained for a long time! Thanks for following our articles!
