Once you finish treatment with braces or clear aligners, you will be given a retainer. Its job is to prevent your teeth from drifting back into their former positions — it is extremely important! How can you get the most out of this appliance and ensure that it lasts as long as possible? Use these four tips for taking care of your retainer:
Keep It Clean
An unclean retainer could start to smell bad, and it could increase your risk of dental decay. To keep your retainer clean, you should:
- Gently brush it with water and clear antibacterial soap after each use.
- Regularly soak your retainer in a cleaning solution (retainer cleansing products are easy to find in stores and online).
- Brush and floss your teeth before placing your retainer in your mouth.
Keep It in Its Proper Place
Whenever you are not wearing your retainer, you should place it in its designated storage case. This will reduce the risk that it will get misplaced. Some people disregard this advice and place their retainer in a napkin while they are eating — they could end up accidentally throwing it in the garbage! Others set their retainer on the edge of a table where a curious pet could steal it or knock it on the floor. Try to avoid such mistakes so you do not have to prematurely buy a new retainer.
Minimize the Risk of Damage
If you’re not careful, you could end up accidentally damaging your retainer. To protect it, you should:
- Be careful when taking it in and out of your mouth. Instead of tugging your retainer on one side and pulling it out of your mouth, gently loosen it at various points so you can remove the whole thing at once.
- Beware of high temperatures. Some patients have made the mistake of using boiling water to clean their retainer. That can warp the plastic. You should also not consume any extremely hot beverages while wearing your appliance.
- Do not eat while wearing your retainer. Food particles might get stuck in it, causing discomfort for you and making your appliance more difficult to clean.
Stay in Touch with Your Orthodontist
Once you start wearing your retainer, your orthodontist will likely urge you to attend some follow-up appointments. During these visits, they will make sure your retainer is in good shape, address any concerns you may have, and search for indications that you are wearing your retainer as directed.
Your retainer is an important part of your orthodontic treatment! Take care of it, so it will take care of you.
Meet the Practice
Drs. Tamara Jones and Megan Hanson are pleased to provide a full range of orthodontic services for the Richardson community. Whether you are thinking about getting braces, or you have questions about how to care for your retainer, we would be pleased to assist you. To learn more about us and our services, get in touch with us at 972-238-7101.