7 Reasons Teeth Retainers Matter More Than Most People Realize

If you’ve had braces for a while, getting them off feels like you’ve finished a marathon. But honestly, it’s more of a halfway point. Dr. Edgar Mendieta always reminds his patients at Global Smiles Orthodontics that wearing their retainers matters much more than they think. It’s the secret to keeping that gorgeous smile you’ve worked hard to get.

1. Your Retainer Is Custom-Built Just for Your Mouth

Your retainer isn’t just a generic mouth guard someone might grab off the shelf at a big-box store. It’s custom-made to fit no one’s mouth but yours. Shaped to exactly fit your teeth. You can think of it like a snug cover that’s designed to hold everything in place right where it belongs. Most people get one as soon as their braces come off.

2. Why Dental Retainers After Braces Are So Important

Braces work by moving your teeth into new positions. But the bone and tissue around your teeth haven’t fully caught up. That all takes time to settle. The retainer is what holds everything steady while that process is happening.

Without one, your teeth will slowly drift back to where they were before you ever started this whole process. So all the time, discomfort, and money you put into treatment completely unravels.

3. What Happens to Your Teeth if You Skip the Retainer

This isn’t meant to be a scare tactic. It’s just the facts about how teeth work. Thanks to your braces, they moved once. And they will absolutely move again if they don’t have something holding them in place.

If you skip your retainer for a few weeks, you’ll probably notice that things feel off. And if you keep skipping your retainer, it can lead to a whole new set of alignment problems.

4. Everyone’s Schedule Is Different

An orthodontist can’t give you a simple answer as to how long you’ll have to wear your retainer. It’s different for everyone. Dr. Mendieta will give you an estimate based on what’s happening with your teeth. Some people start out wearing theirs full-time at first and then move to wearing it just at night. The important thing is to stick with whatever he tells you is best for your situation. 

5. Retainers Also Help with Minor Shifting

There are situations where a retainer by itself can make small corrections without someone needing braces. It’s not necessarily a shortcut. And it won’t fix big issues. But for minor movement, a retainer may be all you need. Dr. Mendieta will let you know whether this might work for you. 

6. When to Contact Dr. Mendieta About Your Retainer

It takes a little bit to get used to wearing a retainer. But if any of these things happen, you need to call Dr. Mendieta ASAP.

• Pain or sores
• Changes in how it fits
• It gets cracked or bent
• Lost retainer

7. Learn Everything You Need to Know About Teeth Retainers in Columbus, OH

Dr. Edgar Mendieta and the team at Global Smiles Orthodontics are here to answer all of your questions about wearing your retainer. And if you started treatment with SmileDirectClub, bring your records in for a free consultation. Call (614) 230-0374, and a team member will get you set up. 

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