Wear your retainers full time for the amount of time specified by the Doctor.
- Take your retainers out when eating and drinking any other than cool water. Always put retainers in their case! (Most appliances are lost in school lunch rooms or restaurants when they are placed in a napkin.)
- Clean retainers thoroughly once a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste. Use cool water. Brushing retainers removes the plaque, and eliminates odors. Efferdent or other orthodontic appliance cleaners can be used, but do not take the place of brushing.
- When retainers are not in your mouth they should ALWAYS be in a retainer case. If you have pets, keep the case in a safe place. Pets are known to open the case and chew them.
- Initially, you may find it difficult to speak. Practice speaking, reading, or singing out loud to get used to them faster.
- Your retainers might make your teeth sore initially. This is normal and usually only lasts a few days.
- Retainers are breakable, so treat them with care. If retainers are lost or broken call us immediately.
- If you have any questions or concerns about your retainers, or your retainers need adjusting, call us. Do not try to adjust them yourself.
- Always bring your retainers to your appointments.
- Retainer replacement is expensive, but with proper care they will last for years!
- Keep retainers away from hot water, hot car dashboards, pockets, the washing machine, and napkins.
- If you have bonded retainers on the inside of your teeth, extra care must be taken to keep them clean. Thorough brushing and flossing under the wires every day is necessary to keep the retainer clean and your teeth and gums healthy.