{"id":113,"date":"2022-07-21T19:59:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-21T19:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.huntingtonortho.com\/blog\/?p=113"},"modified":"2022-08-21T19:59:27","modified_gmt":"2022-08-21T19:59:27","slug":"5-tips-to-maintain-your-retainer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.huntingtonortho.com\/blog\/2022\/07\/21\/5-tips-to-maintain-your-retainer\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Tips to Care for Your Retainer"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-114 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.huntingtonortho.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/retainer-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"Set of blue retainers\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.huntingtonortho.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/retainer-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.huntingtonortho.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/retainer-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.huntingtonortho.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/retainer-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.huntingtonortho.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/retainer-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.huntingtonortho.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/retainer-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>After your braces come off, or you\u2019ve finished your series of clear aligners, it\u2019s time to preserve your new smile. Your teeth can drift back into their previous positions if you don\u2019t commit to wearing your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.huntingtonortho.com\/orthodontic-appliances.html\">retainer<\/a>. Initially, your orthodontist will instruct you to wear it at all times before decreasing how often it\u2019s needed. You can ensure nothing compromises your straight smile by maintaining the device. Here are 5 tips to use when caring for your retainer.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Remove Your Retainer When Eating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Although your retainer will be made of durable materials, they aren\u2019t indestructible. Remove the device before eating to avoid damaging it. You will also prevent food particles and plaque from getting trapped, which can lead to unpleasant odors. Don\u2019t place your retainer on your plate or a napkin to avoid losing it. Instead, put it in its storage case, which will also reduce the risk of bacteria exposure. Do not forget to brush and floss before putting your retainer back in your mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Clean Your Retainer Before Storing It<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Your storage case provides a safe place to put your retainer when you aren\u2019t wearing it. However, be sure to clean it before storing it. Although the appliance can\u2019t get cavities, bacteria and plaque can accumulate on it, which can shorten its lifespan. It\u2019s best to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and nonabrasive toothpaste to clean your retainer. You can also soak it in water with some baking soda to clean it every other night. Let your retainer air dry before putting it in the storage case to prevent bacteria growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Avoid Harsh Chemicals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t use any harsh chemicals to clean your retainer. Toothpaste and water are often all you\u2019ll need to maintain your retainer. However, you can also add baking soda, mild vinegar, or denture tablets to clean it every other day for 5 to 10 minutes. Avoid any products containing bleach or alcohol, including mouthwash.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Remove When Brushing Your Teeth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Always remove your retainer when brushing your teeth. You\u2019ll leave large areas of your mouth uncleaned, which can compromise your oral health and the appliance. After brushing and flossing, don\u2019t forget to clean your retainer.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Protect It From Pets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s not uncommon for pets to use retainers as a snack or chew toys. Keep your retainer away from your pets at all times to avoid needing a replacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ve spent a lot of time and money investing in a straight smile. Don\u2019t risk your results to improper retainer care. Commit to your orthodontist\u2019s instructions and maintain your retainer to ensure your teeth stay straight and healthy for a lifetime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About Dr. Justyna Balicka<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.huntingtonortho.com\/meet-our-orthodontist.html\">Dr. Balicka<\/a> earned her dental degree from the New York University College of Dentistry and continued her education in orthodontics. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics because of her commitment to excellence. Whether you need braces or a retainer, Dr. Justyna has the qualifications you can trust. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.huntingtonortho.com\/contact-us.html\">Contact our office<\/a> today to request your consultation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"After your braces come off, or you\u2019ve finished your series of clear aligners, it\u2019s time to preserve your new smile. Your teeth can drift back into their previous positions if you don\u2019t commit to wearing your retainer. Initially, your orthodontist will instruct you to wear it at all times before decreasing how often it\u2019s needed. You can ensure nothing compromises your straight smile by maintaining the device. Here are 5 tips to use when caring [&hellip;] <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.huntingtonortho.com\/blog\/2022\/07\/21\/5-tips-to-maintain-your-retainer\/\">(Read More)<\/a>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-113","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>5 Easy Tips to Maintain Your Retainer<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A retainer is essential for keeping your new smile straight. Here are 5 tips to maintain your retainer to safeguard your investment.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.huntingtonortho.com\/blog\/2022\/07\/21\/5-tips-to-maintain-your-retainer\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"5 Easy Tips to Maintain Your Retainer\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A retainer is essential for keeping your new smile straight. Here are 5 tips to maintain your retainer to safeguard your investment.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.huntingtonortho.com\/blog\/2022\/07\/21\/5-tips-to-maintain-your-retainer\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Huntington Orthodontics Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-07-21T19:59:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-08-21T19:59:27+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.huntingtonortho.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/retainer-300x225.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"huntingtonortho\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"huntingtonortho\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.huntingtonortho.com\\\/blog\\\/2022\\\/07\\\/21\\\/5-tips-to-maintain-your-retainer\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.huntingtonortho.com\\\/blog\\\/2022\\\/07\\\/21\\\/5-tips-to-maintain-your-retainer\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"huntingtonortho\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.huntingtonortho.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/225b9fe3702cb22555985936527ce8d3\"},\"headline\":\"5 Tips to Care for Your Retainer\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-07-21T19:59:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-08-21T19:59:27+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.huntingtonortho.com\\\/blog\\\/2022\\\/07\\\/21\\\/5-tips-to-maintain-your-retainer\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":518,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.huntingtonortho.com\\\/blog\\\/2022\\\/07\\\/21\\\/5-tips-to-maintain-your-retainer\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.huntingtonortho.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/retainer-300x225.jpg\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.huntingtonortho.com\\\/blog\\\/2022\\\/07\\\/21\\\/5-tips-to-maintain-your-retainer\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.huntingtonortho.com\\\/blog\\\/2022\\\/07\\\/21\\\/5-tips-to-maintain-your-retainer\\\/\",\"name\":\"5 Easy Tips to Maintain Your Retainer\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.huntingtonortho.com\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.huntingtonortho.com\\\/blog\\\/2022\\\/07\\\/21\\\/5-tips-to-maintain-your-retainer\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.huntingtonortho.com\\\/blog\\\/2022\\\/07\\\/21\\\/5-tips-to-maintain-your-retainer\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.huntingtonortho.com\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/08\\\/retainer-300x225.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-07-21T19:59:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-08-21T19:59:27+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.huntingtonortho.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/225b9fe3702cb22555985936527ce8d3\"},\"description\":\"A retainer is essential for keeping your new smile straight. 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