For the most part, retainers are a common part of people’s oral health and hygiene. In fact, retainers are quite normal and incredibly common — among adolescents as well as adults — meaning everyone will likely encounter the need for a retainer at some point in their life. The reality is, while you might be quite adamant about wearing your retainer as required, that might also mean it’ll experience a lot of wear and tear overall. Ultimately, you’ll likely need to replace your retainer at a certain point — particularly if you wear it for a few years or more. Here are some of the telltale signs associated with your retainer and the need for getting a replacement immediately.
A Lost Retainer
If you happen to have lost your retainer, you’ll want to replace it as soon as possible. In fact, if you lose your retainer regularly, it might even be a good idea to have a backup on hand — just in case. The reality is, if you lose your actual retainer, you can go to the dentist and get a replacement one immediately. Ultimately, losing a retainer happens a lot more often than people expect — they can end up in the trash wrapped in a napkin or clobbered in a dog’s saliva — either way — having a replacement retainer is essential.
The Retainer No Longer Fits
As you can imagine, retainers will work to shift your teeth into the proper alignment with your mouth. In fact, that means that after a certain amount of time, your retainer might not fit anymore. The reality is, your retainer might eventually start to feel too tight or too loose. Either way, what you’ll want to do when you notice your retainer not fitting properly is to get a replacement. Ultimately, this is a good sign that the retainer is working — it’s just time for a new one to ensure that your mouth is in tip-top shape. For the most part, retainers are designed to create a beautiful smile — and that means you’ll have to deal with retainer replacements throughout the time that you’ll be wearing the retainer itself. At the end of the day, retainers really do a great job at shifting your teeth effectively and efficiently, and knowing when they need to be replaced will ensure that your teeth are healthy for many years to come.
You Can Trust Olney Dental for All of Your Dental Care Needs
For all of your oral care questions and concerns, Olney Dental has the expertise and professionalism to get them the answers they need. Olney Dental is ready to supply you with expert service in a professional environment. Schedule an appointment online today! For more information on how we can give your family the best dentist experience available, give us a call at (301) 250-1057 or contact us online. For more dental tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest.