Is it okay to wear my retainer more than my orthodontist tells me to?

Retainer wear: Absolutely! just don't wear it less than they recommend.

Yes yes yes!: A retainer is made to passively retain your finished smile results. Over time, teeth may relapse, or shift due to stresses in and around your mouth. Tongue and lip pressure, a bad habit, like biting on a pencil or a finger nail, or a parafunctional muscular process, like tongue thrusting, may contribute to relapse. A retainer holds your teeth still to counteract these forces.

Generally yes!: Wearing it less is the real problem, with the resultant relapse. It also depends on the type of retainer: the older hawley style retainer of wire and acrylic if worn 24/7 without adequate hygiene, can cause a candidal or other infection of the hard palate. I tell kids to leave it out one night per week to let the palate breathe, and brush the tissue suface very well.

Yes: There is never a too much.

Yes: It will not hurt at all. It will give you extra protection. What he or she is recommending, is usually the minimum required to keep your teeth in place.

Forever : You need yo wear your retainer forever. Follow the recommended full time wear by your orthodontist and every night right after. Relapse is 40% and you have to protect your smile and investment.

Absolutely!: Wearing you retainer is a good thing and is absolutely necessary. When you stop wearing your retainer, your teeth will move back to where they were. Wearing your retainer more than your orthodontist says will not hurt anything. That is the minimum you have to wear it, and it is better to be safe than sorry.

Yes!!: There is no "too much" when it comes to your retainer. Do take it out to eat, brush and floss your teeth, but the more its in, the better your retention will be.

As long as: There is no harm to wearing your retainer more than your orthodontist advises with these two caveats: first, it may not really be necessary. Second, the more you wear your retainer, the more important it is to make sure your teeth are clean and spotless so that you are not prone to cavities and\or enamel decalcifications.

Usually OK: But just to make sure, check with your Orthodontist. Usually more is better.

Follow Instructions: and remember that all patients are individuals and nothing works for everyone. There are variety of retainers. It is important that you wear your retainers exactly like you have been instructed.