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While we at Luv My Smile are passionate about straight teeth, we know the path to a beautiful smile can sometimes be challenging. This is why I occasionally get questions about having to wear braces twice. But don’t be afraid! Today, I’m here to answer that question and explain why some individuals have braces more than once.
Braces as a Kid
Occasionally, a young patient needs braces put on around age 7 or 8. When children this age have braces, their teeth are still prone to significant movement and shifting as they age. This means that even if they are perfectly straight when they are 7 or 8, they may once again require braces as teenagers or adults when all of their adult teeth have come in.
Children’s braces differ from adult braces in that they are only attached to a few teeth, are only on for a short time (around six months), and are most often used in extreme cases.
What’s an Extreme Case?
It would be considered an extreme case if the child’s teeth were sticking out too far, which can cause a hazard if the child trips or falls. Another extreme case is if the child has a severe crossbite.
Sometimes, parents request that I straighten their children’s teeth for aesthetic purposes, knowing that they will likely have to wear braces a second time once they have matured physically. In our offices, we don’t recommend braces for young children who still have baby teeth except in these specific circumstances. After they get them when they are young, they get the second phase, which goes on all 28 teeth and is generally on from 12 months to 18 months at that point.
Retainer Neglect
The second reason people end up in braces twice is that they don’t wear their retainers! If a patient gets braces on at age 12 or 13, gets them off at age 15, and then refuses to wear their retainers, it’s entirely feasible that by 18, their teeth will once again be crooked.
In our offices, probably half of the adults we treat had braces as kids and either didn’t wear retainers, were told they only had to wear them for a year or so, or never received retainers!
How Long Are You Supposed To Wear a Retainer?
The truth is, you need them forever. The reason for this is that your teeth shift throughout your lifetime. As you age, the bone that holds your teeth in place starts to decrease gradually, which doesn’t mean your teeth will fall out, but they just aren’t supported inside your jawbone.
You may have a few teeth crooked on the bottom, and slowly but surely, they will get more and more crooked. You may notice this when flossing: the contact is tight, the floss is shredding, etc. That’s just part of the aging process. Your teeth tend to lean inward and shift forward. If you keep your retainers, it eliminates shifting.
Keep It Clean
One retainer won’t last a lifetime–they need to be replaced. Virtually any orthodontist can fit you for a new retainer and provide you with a shiny, clean one that will keep your teeth in shape for the rest of your life! It would be best if you considered replacing your retainer every 10 years or so for the following reasons:
- Wearing patterns from overuse can decrease the effectiveness
- If retainers aren’t kept clean enough, bacteria can build up in the plastic, making them unsanitary
- Technology is constantly advancing, and if you don’t keep up, you may miss out on excellent oral health options!
Contact Our Team Today
It's important to understand that their teeth and smile are an investment, and you have to take care of your investment! It’s like a car where you have to periodically change the oil or replace things. In our office, we call retainers an insurance policy. So now you know! Occasionally, people end up wearing braces twice, but in the end, it will all be worth it! Schedule a free consultation today to discuss your treatment options with our team.
