Retainer Question

[Crysb03]

Hi, my name is Crystal. I had braces and a Herbst jaw appliance in 2002. I had to wear the herbst for 9 months, and then my braces for 9 months once it came off. My teeth were perfect when I was done. I wore my Tru Tane retainer 24/7 outside of eating and brushing for a month at least. Then I wore them all night every night until 2005, when I lost them. I couldn't afford to get them replaced right away, and I forgot about it until I noticed they had moved a little. I got new retainers at the end of 2006. I have my current retainer, but I haven't been wearing it. It is so tight when I put it in at night that I can only keep it in for an hour or two, but it does slip back on more easily the next night, so I assume they are moving back to the position of my 2006 retainers. I also pop them out while sleeping alot and worry I might accidentally swallow one or something if I leave them in all night. LOL. I am wondering if it's going to help get my teeth straightened back out if I wear my Tru Tanes all day, but not at night. I am also having a problem with biting and clenching my teeth at night and I'm wondering if a night guard will mess up any progress my retainers make. Thanks so much for reading!!

[Sunny]

Your gag reflex will prevent you from swallowing your retainers, so please don't worry about wearing them at night, as this is the best time for you to get maximum wear. Night wear may also help with your clenching, but you may be best to talk to your ortho about this, in case something new is recommended.

Any concerns about continuing night wear need to be discussed with an ortho.

Good luck!