If you think about it, having braces is the easy part. You come into the office, they are adhered to your teeth, and from there they are adjusted for you by a professional. Just a little maintenance on your end to keep them clean. Then, once the braces are off, retainers enter the mix and all responsibility is all on you. Don’t fret — we have some tips to help you take great care of your retainers.
Don’t lose them
Easier said than done, right? Just remember, always put them in their case. If they aren’t in your mouth (which, unless you’re eating or brushing your teeth, they should be), the only safe place for them is their case. Think of any other surface as retainer lava.
You can even keep a mantra. Say this rhyme to yourself whenever you take out your retainer: If they aren’t in your mouth, put them in their house. Their “house” being the case you keep them in or they came with.
Keep them clean
You know how your teeth accumulate bacteria, plaque, and tartar on them? So do your retainers. That’s why you need a thorough oral care regimen for your teeth and retainers.
- Brush at least two times each day to remove plaque from your teeth.
- Brush out your retainer with lukewarm water after each meal.
- Clean your retainer as soon as you remove it from your mouth, while it’s still wet.
- Clean your retainer case regularly by gently scrubbing all surfaces of it in warm, soapy water. Then rinse it off and pat to dry.
Keep them safe
Traditional retainers are molded out of acrylic to fit your mouth. Exposing your retainer to high heat can warp and ruin it. Keep your retainer away from:
- boiling water
- microwaves
- dishwashers
- washers and dryers
- the dashboard of your car
You’ll also need to keep them up and away from pets and small children.
Have a back-up
Retainers are important. But sometimes, life happens and they get lost or damaged. Since we at Amazing Smiles understand that despite your best efforts, things can happen to your retainers, we’ve created a special retainer program. Feel free to ask our treatment coordinator about this at your complimentary consultation!