Table of Contents
- Introduction to Caring for your Retainer
- Clean Your Retainer Regularly
- Wear Your Retainer Consistently
- Protect Your Retainer from Heat
- Keep Your Retainer Safe from Pets and Accidental Disposal
- Soak Your Retainer for Deep Cleaning
- Replace Your Retainer When Needed
- Handle Your Retainer Carefully
- Brush Before and After Wearing Your Retainer
- Final Thoughts on Retainer Care
Introduction to Caring for your Retainer
Congratulations on finishing your orthodontic treatment! Now that you have finished treatment, it is critical to properly care for your retainer. Retainers are essential for preserving the hard work that went into straightening your teeth, preventing them from slipping back to their original positions. Proper retainer care can help you avoid the time, price, and inconvenience of additional orthodontic treatment. Let's look at how to care for various types of retainers.
Are you in the New Haven/Shoreline area and concerned your child will need braces?
A free consultation with Dobie Revolution Orthodontics is always available.
Common Types of Retainers and Their Care Needs
Understanding the various types of retainers will help you care for them effectively:
- Removable Retainers: These are designed to be worn long-term at night and are simple to clean, but they do require regular maintenance. Daily rinsing and gentle brushing prevents tartar/food accumulation.
- Fixed Retainers: These typically glued behind the lower teeth and require thorough flossing between teeth for removing trapped food.
Custom Retainers: Made specifically for your teeth, they need extra care as directed by your orthodontist to keep their fit and hygiene.
Clean Your Retainer Regularly
Proper cleaning is the foundation of good retainer maintenance. Daily maintenance reduces bacterial growth and maintains the comfort of wearing your retainer.
Daily Cleaning Routine
To remove any particles, rinse your retainer with cold/cool water ideally every morning and night. After rinsing, gently brush with a soft toothbrush using either a mild, unscented soap or a smooth toothpaste. This removes surface plaque and helps prevent the formation of a harder to remove surface residue.
Soaking your retainer in water with either a specialized retainer cleanser tablet or a denture tablet is another way of further cleaning your retainer. Sometimes a white chalky buildup can be seen on the retainer which is hard to remove. If this happens soak the retainer in a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water.
Avoiding Abrasive Cleaners
Using harsh cleaners might scratch or damage your retainer, making it uncomfortable to wear while potentially weakening the material. Avoid using cleaning products containing alcohol, bleach, or other harsh chemicals. Choose gentler solutions like retainer-safe pills for soaking or mild soap. Avoid hot water, as it might deform or melt certain retainer materials, creating a poor fit.
try the dobie revolution video game!
Wear Your Retainer Consistently
One of the most important care items is to wear your retainer consistently. Regular wear prevents your teeth from shifting and preserves the benefits of your orthodontic treatment. If you have been out of treatment for a few years, wearing your retainer at least 3/4x a week is still very important to do. Most choose to wear it EVERY night just to make sure they don’t forget!
Importance of Regular Wear for Optimal Results
Your retainer is a small but effective tool for maintaining your tooth alignment. Right after you complete your orthodontic treatment (either braces or Invisalign) it is important to wear your retainer ALL DAY / EVERY DAY for the first 3 months. Following this, you should switch to wearing them every night long-term.
Adhering to Orthodontic Recommendations
Your Orthodontist will often provide you with a more specific wear schedule and maintenance recommendations that are typically specific to your needs. Following this advice will help you achieve the best, long-term outcomes. If you're ever unclear about how long to wear your retainer at night or when you might need adjustments, don't be afraid to ask your Orthodontist.
Protect Your Retainer from Heat
How Heat Can Damage Retainers
Retainers are built to last, but they are not indestructible, especially when subjected to heat. High temperatures can warp the plastic, deform its shape, and cause an incorrect fit, leaving the retainer ineffective at maintaining your smile. If your retainer seems loose or poorly fitting after being exposed to heat, it may be no longer functional.
Tips for Avoiding Heat Exposure
To prevent heat damage, keep your retainer away from hot water, bright sunlight, and warm surfaces. For example, don't leave it in the car during hot weather or place it on a tabletop in full sunlight. Always rinse with cold/cool water. It is also important to NEVER put your retainer in the dishwasher or microwave!
Keep Your Retainer Safe from Pets and Accidental Disposal
Common Ways Retainers Get Lost or Damaged
It's normal to misplace retainers by mistakenly wrapping them in napkins or leaving them out in the open. Pets, particularly dogs, are sometimes drawn to the scent and will chew on it if given the opportunity. Never leave your retainer just sitting out on kitchen or bathroom countertops. They are also easily reached by pets if left on nightstands and not in a case.
How to Secure Your Retainer at Home and on the Go
When not wearing a retainer, you should always store it in a case. We always say your retainer should either be IN YOUR CASE… OR IN YOUR FACE… AND NO OTHER PLACE!!! This protects it from accidental disposal and curious pets. When at home, keep it in an obvious location, preferably out of reach of children and pets. Carrying a durable retainer case when traveling will also help assist in preventing unintentional damage and loss.
Soak Your Retainer for Deep Cleaning
In addition to daily cleaning, it is recommended that you soak your retainer in a cleaning solution once a week. Soaking removes deeper-set germs and mineral buildup that regular brushing could miss. Specially developed retainer cleaning tablets are ideal for this purpose. If you cannot find them a denture cleaning tablet will do the exact same thing. Simply follow the instructions on the tablet package, as soaking times vary by product. After that, thoroughly rinse the solution to remove any remaining residue.
Replace Your Retainer When Needed
Retainers, like any other dental item, wear out with time and may need to be replaced. If you ever notice any large cracks or holes in your retainer, you should always contact your Orthodontist so that you can see them for an evaluation. This is always important to do sooner rather than later to make sure they are replaced before they stop working effectively.
Signs Your Retainer Needs Replacement
- Cracks or visible wear: Cracks or worn areas/holes may occur over time, reducing the retainer's effectiveness.
- Loss of fit or effectiveness: If your retainer seems loose or doesn't hold your teeth as well as it used to, it may need to be replaced.
Discoloration or persistent odor: If the discoloration or odor is still there despite thorough cleaning, it may be time to replace your retainer.
Handle Your Retainer Carefully
Retainers are sensitive, so handle them with care. Avoid bending, twisting, or dropping them, as this may cause damage. Be careful not to squeeze your retainer too tightly while cleaning it. When pulling out your retainer, always apply mild, EQUAL pressure to avoid distorting its shape. DO NOT PULL out your retainer on one side only because this can crack the retainer. Always remove both sides at the same time. This helps to keep a flawless fit for longer.
Brush Before and After Wearing Your Retainer
Keeping your retainer and mouth clean is critical for optimum oral health. Brushing before putting in your retainer keeps food particles from becoming trapped, and brushing afterwards removes any bacteria that may have been spread to your mouth during use.
Dobie Revolution: Consistently Voted CT Magazine’s Top Dentists
Final Thoughts on Retainer Care
Taking care of your retainer may seem to be extra effort, but it is well worth it to PROTECT YOUR SMILE for years to come. By routinely cleaning, wearing, and protecting your retainer, you can keep your teeth straight and healthy for a lifetime after your orthodontic treatment. If you have any questions or concerns, your orthodontist can offer guidance suited to your specific needs.