How long should a plate/retainer be worn daily after braces have just come off?
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My dentist told me to wear them everyday for a year, it's all right to miss a few days, its not like your teeth are going to shift overnight. You can remove them when you eat, if you hang out with your friends, speical occasions, etc. But on a typical day wear them around 20 hours a day if possible.
After a year passes you can wear your retainers every night before you go to bed. You should continue this routine until a good 3-5 years.
I had my braces removed during my freshman year in highschool and that was over 7 years ago. I only wore my retainers for 2 years, and 7 years after my teeth have gaps in them and some teeth are going out of line, but other than that is still pretty straight. My cousin on the other hand, who wore braces for 4 years, never wore his retainers, and his teeth looked as if he never wore them.
I was told to wear mine for the 1st 24 hours my braces were off then every night until i stop growing.
I have been doing this & my teeth are still fine. So you don't have to wear them in the day as long as you wear them at night for about 7-8 hours.
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