Clear plastic/Essix retainer: about 1–3 years; sometimes 3–5 years with nighttime-only wear and excellent care.

• Immediately after braces or aligners: wear retainers 20–22 hours daily for the first few months, removing them only to eat, drink anything besides water, and clean your teeth.
• After the initial period: wear them every night indefinitely.
• If you’ve had retainers for years: continue nightly; don’t stop merely because your teeth feel stable.

For removable clear retainers:

• Remove them before eating.
• Drink only plain, cool water while wearing them.
• Remove them for coffee, tea, soda, juice, alcohol, milk and hot beverages.

Food can crack or distort the retainer, while sugary or acidic drinks can become trapped against the teeth and increase decay risk. Hot liquids may warp clear plastic.

After eating, brush—or at least rinse your mouth and the retainer—before putting it back in.

If your retainer doesn’t fit:

• Slightly tight but seats completely: wear it consistently for a few days. Minor tooth movement may settle.
• Won’t seat fully, causes significant pain, or needs force: don’t force it—contact TrueFit for a new impression kit.
• Cracked, distorted, or warped: stop using it and arrange a replacement.
• Never heat, boil, bend, trim or bite it into position.