Do I need to wear my retainer to sleep?

Question

My dentist told me I don't have to wear it when I eat or brush my teeth, but he didn't say anything about sleeping. I just got my braces off today so I'm VERY new to this retainer thing.

Answer 1

Yes you need to wear your retainer when you sleep. I got my braces off 7 years ago and I went from wearing my retainers all the time to just at night to every third night. Even now if I don't wear it every third night the gaps start to come back your retainers are a huge part of getting your braces off, if you don't wear your retainer at night there is quite a chance you will have to go back into braces, not to mention the pain you will have in the morning. You have to keep your teeth contained or they will try to go back to the way they were before your braces!

Answer 2

yesss

wear them

all the time for liek 3 months

then only wear them at ngith

its really mportant to wear them at night

Answer 3

As I would tell a patient in my office...You need to wear your retainer 24 hours a day, taking it out to eat and brush. Take that time to brush your retainer with your toothbrush and toothpaste before putting it back in. Don't wrap it in a napkin when you eat and rinse it well before leaving it out for very long. Saliva will dry on it and make it "gross". Also (don't laugh), if you have a dog be sure to keep your retainer away from it. Dogs are attracted to the smell (probably saliva) and will chew them up if they can get to them. People think I'm crazy when I tell them this, but they aren't laughing when they have to buy a new retainer!

Be sure to wear your retainer as instructed until your orthodontist tells you to wear it less!

Answer 4

Yes, actually a lot of people only have to wear them when they sleep, so I'd assume so.

Answer 5

I believe you do. Call them up and ask or ask your parents to call up and ask; it's that easy.  

Answer 6

YES YES YES YES YES!!!!!!!!

omg yes. dont even think about leaving it off a whole night if you just got them off. it will hurt bad and for a long time if you try to put it in again. later you can wear it just at night.