Is it true that you have to wear your retainers 24/7?

is it true that you have to wear your retainers 24/7? even when you sleep and eat? cause the people I know that get their braces off never wear their retainer even though they have one but then agian I only see em school so they could be wearin em at night.

Well at first, your dentist will tell you to wear your retainers 100% of the time for a certain amount of time. I had to wear mine all the time straight for 6 months (Of course you take them out when you eat) but after that, you only have to wear them at night. For the rest of your life? Yes.

I used to have a retainer but I have only worn it when I'm about to go
to sleep. it would be weird eating with it, riiight?

You're not supposed to eat with them. I have retainers and I'm supposed to wear them all the time except for when I brush my teeth or eat.

well yea you should but yet you shouldnt.like clearly when your eating take them out.and brushing your teeth.and you should because your teeth are used to having something there to guide them.trust me got braces in 4 grade...my one eye tooth wasnt down the whole way and when I slept with my retainer in it fell out and my teeth shifted so I had to start again...thank god im getting them off shortly