Whether you’ve been wearing traditional metal braces or Invisalign clear aligners, the last thing you want is to lose all the progress you made. Part of your orthodontic treatment includes a retainer, which is an oral appliance designed to prevent teeth from shifting back to their original positions after the main phase of treatment. To ensure it keeps your teeth straight, keep these four tips in mind so it remains clean and functional for life!
Clean Your Retainer
Rinse and brush your retainer at least twice a day, ideally right before you begin your oral care routine. This will make it easier to get into the habit of removing plaque and bacteria from it just like you do from your teeth, gums, and tongue. During the first six months to a year, you’ll be wearing your retainer daily. This means you’ll want to soak it when practicing oral care. Typically a 5- to 15-minute soak is all you need to kill all bacteria. Just be sure to use a soft-bristled brush to remove any hard deposits from it afterwards. Under no circumstances should you soak your retainer in hot water as this can cause it to change shape and no longer fit inside your mouth.
Always Remove When Brushing
If you’re using a clear retainer that looks more like aligners used for Invisalign, you wouldn’t be able to practice brushing and flossing to begin with. However, if you’re using a more traditional retainer (also known as a Hawley retainer), you’ll miss larger areas of your mouth while brushing despite your teeth being more exposed. No matter what retainer you use, always brush it separately.
Store Your Retainer Properly
After enough time, you’ll likely be told by the orthodontist that you only need to wear your retainer at night when you sleep. That means there will be long stretches of time where you’ll need to have it stored in a proper place. Use the dedicated container the retainer came with, which typically has holes to allow proper air flow. This reduces the risk of bacteria development on your appliance. Never wrap your retainer in a napkin as this can lead you (or someone else) to accidentally throw it away. Keep it away from pets as it can easily become a chew toy for them.
While your retainer will serve you well for years to come, you’ll likely need a replacement eventually. When you do, get back in touch with the orthodontist you received it from! They can not only evaluate the current condition of your appliance, but create a new one that fits comfortably and keeps your smile straight!
About the Author
Dr. Justyna Balicka is not only highly trained to perform many orthodontics services, but she’s gone above and beyond by becoming a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. This proves her dedication to continuing education in her field. She also teaches post-graduate residents at Nassau University Medical Center. To schedule an appointment, you can contact her through her website.